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Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Launched October 2019
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • Successor is Sony NEX-5T
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Nikon Z50 versus Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The Z50 was released 7 years after the NEX-5R which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a quick overview of how the Z50 grades versus the NEX-5R when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 Z50 NEX-5R 
AnnouncedOctober 2019August 2012Newer by 87 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k920kSharper display (+120k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

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

 NEX-5R Z50 

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

 Z50 NEX-5R 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Touch display Easily navigate

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z50 features outer measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") and a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5R has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon Z50 versus Sony NEX-5R in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the Z50 against the NEX-5R.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and NEX-5R is 74 and 89 respectively.

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

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to picture the difference in sensor dimensions purely by viewing technical specs. The picture below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the Z50 and NEX-5R.

As you can tell, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can anticipate the Nikon Z50 to provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more modern Z50 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Portrait photography camera
80
has manual focus
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
74
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography features
Sony NEX-5R Street photography features
73
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
has touch focus
environment proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition (397 grams)
80
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
has touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z50
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5R
75
resolution is good (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
68
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-5R Travel photography details
77
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
has touch focus
resolution is good (21MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
heavier than competition (397g)
73
has touch focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography information
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
75
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging info
Sony NEX-5R Vlogging info
71
screen is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
features face detection focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external mic port
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition (397 grams)
31
screen is touchscreen
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Sony NEX-5R
 Nikon Z50Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z50 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2019-10-10 2012-08-29
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 surface area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5568 x 3712 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 51200 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 209 99
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Sony E
Total lenses 15 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 11.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397 grams (0.88 pounds) 276 grams (0.61 pounds)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 910
Other
Battery life 320 shots 330 shots
Battery style Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $857 $750