Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5000
74 Imaging
67 Features
84 Overall
73


89 Imaging
62 Features
62 Overall
62
Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5000 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 21MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Nikon Z Mount
- 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
- Announced October 2019
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 269g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
- Announced January 2014
- Superseded the Sony NEX-3N
- Newer Model is Sony a5100

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5000 Overview
Here, we are evaluating the Nikon Z50 and Sony a5000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the Z50 (21MP) and the a5000 (20MP) is very well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

The Z50 was released 5 years after the a5000 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a5000 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going into a detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the Z50 grades vs the a5000 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5000 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Z50 & Sony Alpha a5000. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon Z50 Gallery & Sony a5000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Sony a5000
Z50 | a5000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | October 2019 | ![]() | January 2014 | More modern by 71 months |
Display size | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 461k | Crisper display (+579k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony a5000 over the Nikon Z50
a5000 | Z50 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Sony a5000
Z50 | a5000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting display |
Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5000 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon Z50 offers 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 a5000 has sizing of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Take a look at the Nikon Z50 and Sony a5000 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the Z50 compared to the a5000.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z50 and a5000 is 74 and 89 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5000 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes just by reading through specs. The pic below may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the Z50 and a5000.
As you can plainly see, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon Z50 to give greater detail as a result of its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The younger Z50 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5000 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5000 Specifications
Nikon Z50 | Sony Alpha a5000 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon Z50 | Sony Alpha a5000 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2019-10-10 | 2014-01-07 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Expeed 6 | Bionz X |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 23.2 x 15.4mm |
Sensor surface area | 369.0mm² | 357.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 21 megapixel | 20 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 5568 x 3712 | 5456 x 3632 |
Max native ISO | 51200 | 16000 |
Max boosted ISO | 204800 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 209 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Nikon Z | Sony E |
Total lenses | 15 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.6 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3.2 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 1,040k dots | 461k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT LCD with 180 upward tilt |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 11.0 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 7.00 m (at ISO 100) | 4.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | - | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
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 (60i/24p), 1440 x 1080 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) |
Max video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
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) | 269 gr (0.59 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") | 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 79 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 13.0 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 1089 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 320 pictures | 420 pictures |
Battery style | Built-in | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL25 | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) |
Time lapse recording | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $857 | $448 |