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Nikon Z50 vs Sony a1

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Revealed October 2019
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Revealed January 2021
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a1 Overview

Below is a in depth assessment of the Nikon Z50 versus Sony a1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and a1 (50MP) and the Z50 (APS-C) and a1 (Full frame) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The Z50 was revealed 15 months earlier than the a1 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the Z50 grades vs the a1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Sony a1

 Z50 a1 
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Nikon Z50

 a1 Z50 
RevealedJanuary 2021October 2019More recent by 15 months
Screen resolution1440k1040kClearer screen (+400k dot)

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Sony a1

 Z50 a1 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z50 enjoys 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) and the Sony a1 has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon Z50 versus Sony a1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the Z50 vs the a1.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and a1 is 74 and 61 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to envision the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading specifications. The visual below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the Z50 and a1.

To sum up, both of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The Z50 using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony a1 will offer you more detail because of its extra 29MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older Z50 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography info
Sony a1 Portrait photography info
80
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
88
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/400 seconds)
MP count excellent (50MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z50
Street photography with Sony a1
73
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
includes touch focus
weather sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than competition (397g)
79
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
provides touch focus
environment sealing
very good ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography advice
Sony a1 Sports photography advice
75
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
90
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high fps (30.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (50MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
great battery life (530 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Travel photography camera
Sony a1 as a Travel photography camera
77
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
includes touch focus
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
heavier than competition (397 grams)
73
great battery life (530 per charge)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
provides touch focus
MP count excellent (50 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z50
Landscape photography with Sony a1
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
no image stabilization
88
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count excellent (50 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (32,000)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
great battery life (530 CIPA)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging information
Sony a1 Vlogging information
71
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
features face detection focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external mic port
no image stabilization
heavier than competition (397g)
36
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (7680 x 4320 pxls)
does have external mic port
does not have selfie friendly display
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Sony a1
 Nikon Z50Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z50 Sony Alpha a1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2019-10-10 2021-01-26
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5568 x 3712 8640 x 5760
Maximum native ISO 51200 32000
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
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 209 759
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Sony E
Number of lenses 15 133
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot 9,437k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.9x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 11.0 frames per second 30.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options - Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/400 secs
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 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 7680x4320
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 397g (0.88 lb) 737g (1.62 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 images 530 images
Battery form Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots 1 Dual
Price at release $857 $6,498