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Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Launched October 2019
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5N
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Below is a extensive assessment of the Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and NEX-5 (14MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The Z50 was introduced 9 years later than the NEX-5 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the Z50 matches up versus the NEX-5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Sony NEX-5

 Z50 NEX-5 
ReleasedOctober 2019June 2010More recent by 114 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k920kSharper screen (+120k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Nikon Z50

 NEX-5 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Sony NEX-5

 Z50 NEX-5 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z50 offers outer measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") having a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5 has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Look at the Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the Z50 against the NEX-5.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the Z50 and NEX-5 is 74 and 89 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to picture the gap in sensor measurements simply by seeing specs. The photograph here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the Z50 and NEX-5.

All in all, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can expect the Nikon Z50 to show extra detail using its extra 7MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher Z50 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z50
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5
80
has manual focus
decent megapixels (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z50
Street photography with Sony NEX-5
73
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
offers focus by touch
environment proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than average (397g)
76
screen tilts
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography factors
75
decent megapixels (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
52
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography information
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography information
77
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
offers focus by touch
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
heavier than average (397g)
59
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Landscape photography camera
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
decent sized screen (3.2")
decent megapixels (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
no image stabilization
68
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-5 as a Vlogging camera
71
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes mic socket
no image stabilization
heavier than average (397 grams)
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing microphone support
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Sony NEX-5
 Nikon Z50Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z50 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2019-10-10 2010-06-07
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5568 x 3712 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Highest boosted ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 209 25
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Sony E
Total lenses 15 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 11.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 397 grams (0.88 pounds) 287 grams (0.63 pounds)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 69
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 796
Other
Battery life 320 images 330 images
Style of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $857 $599