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Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5T

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5T front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
79
Overall
66

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5T Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Introduced October 2019
Sony NEX-5T
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Introduced August 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony NEX-5R
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5T Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Nikon Z50 and Sony NEX-5T, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and NEX-5T (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The Z50 was brought out 6 years after the NEX-5T which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-5T being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick view of how the Z50 matches up versus the NEX-5T for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 Z50 NEX-5T 
IntroducedOctober 2019August 2013More modern by 75 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k922kSharper screen (+118k dot)

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

 NEX-5T Z50 

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

 Z50 NEX-5T 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5T Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z50 provides physical dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5T has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Examine the Nikon Z50 and Sony NEX-5T in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the Z50 compared to the NEX-5T.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5T size comparison

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

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

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5T Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor sizes only by viewing technical specs. The pic here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the Z50 and NEX-5T.

As you can tell, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Nikon Z50 to provide you with extra detail having its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more recent Z50 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5T sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5T Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-5T Portrait photography highlights
80
has manual focus
megapixel count good (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
74
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-5T Street photography factors
73
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
includes focus via touch
environment sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (397 grams)
80
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
offers touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography features
Sony NEX-5T Sports photography features
75
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
69
megapixel count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography advice
Sony NEX-5T Travel photography advice
77
environment sealing
has bluetooth
includes focus via touch
megapixel count good (21MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
more heavy than competition in class (397 grams)
77
offers touch focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
selfie friendly screen
no Time Lapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-5T Landscape photography information
79
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
megapixel count good (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
70
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging features
Sony NEX-5T Vlogging features
71
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
includes face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has microphone port
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (397 grams)
73
selfie friendly screen
built-in touchscreen
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lack of image stabilization
no mic support
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony NEX-5T Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Sony NEX-5T
 Nikon Z50Sony Alpha NEX-5T
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z50 Sony Alpha NEX-5T
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2019-10-10 2013-08-27
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 dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor 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
Highest Possible resolution 5568 x 3712 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 51200 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 209 99
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Sony E
Total lenses 15 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 11.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 7.00 m (ISO100)
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x1080 (60p/60i/24p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 397 gr (0.88 lb) 276 gr (0.61 lb)
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 score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1015
Other
Battery life 320 images 330 images
Battery style Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 NPFW50
Self timer Yes Yes ((10/2 sec. delay), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec. delay; 3/5 exposures))
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $857 $400