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Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5N

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5N front
Portability
89
Imaging
56
Features
69
Overall
61

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5N Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Released October 2019
Sony NEX-5N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Introduced October 2011
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-5
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5R
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5N Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Nikon Z50 and Sony NEX-5N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and NEX-5N (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The Z50 was launched 8 years after the NEX-5N which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5N being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the Z50 scores vs the NEX-5N with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Sony NEX-5N

 Z50 NEX-5N 
IntroducedOctober 2019October 2011Newer by 98 months
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k920kSharper display (+120k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5N over the Nikon Z50

 NEX-5N Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Sony NEX-5N

 Z50 NEX-5N 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Touch display Easily navigate

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5N Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon Z50 has physical measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") having a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5N has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Nikon Z50 and Sony NEX-5N in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the Z50 compared to the NEX-5N.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5N size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the Z50 and NEX-5N is 74 and 89 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5N top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5N Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading technical specs. The pic below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the Z50 and NEX-5N.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Nikon Z50 to offer extra detail utilizing its extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more recent Z50 will have an advantage in sensor technology.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5N sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5N Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-5N Portrait photography highlights
80
has manual focus
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
73
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5N as a Street photography camera
73
tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
weather proof
great ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (397 grams)
80
screen tilts up and down
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
includes touch to focus
good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography information
Sony NEX-5N Sports photography information
75
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
58
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (460 shots)
does not have image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-5N Travel photography details
77
weather proof
has bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
megapixel count good (21MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
heavier than competition in class (397 grams)
70
better than average battery (460 per charge)
includes touch to focus
MP count good (16 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography factors
Sony NEX-5N Landscape photography factors
79
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
megapixel count good (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
lack of image stabilization
71
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (460 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-5N Vlogging factors
71
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
has face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external mic support
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (397 grams)
33
touchscreen capability
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
missing microphone jack
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Sony NEX-5N
 Nikon Z50Sony Alpha NEX-5N
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z50 Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2019-10-10 2011-10-03
Body design 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 surface area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5568 x 3712 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 51200 25600
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 209 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Sony E
Total lenses 15 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - Tilt Up 80°, Down 45° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 11.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 397g (0.88 pounds) 269g (0.59 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 77
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1079
Other
Battery life 320 shots 460 shots
Type of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $857 $550