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Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5100

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
66
Features
74
Overall
69

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5100 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Launched October 2019
Sony a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Announced August 2014
  • Old Model is Sony a5000
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5100 Overview

Following is a in-depth overview of the Nikon Z50 versus Sony a5100, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the Z50 (21MP) and the a5100 (24MP) is relatively similar and both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The Z50 was announced 5 years after the a5100 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the Z50 grades vs the a5100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Sony a5100

 Z50 a5100 
AnnouncedOctober 2019August 2014More modern by 63 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k922kCrisper screen (+118k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Nikon Z50

 a5100 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Sony a5100

 Z50 a5100 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon Z50 offers exterior measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) while the Sony a5100 has sizing of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Compare the Nikon Z50 versus Sony a5100 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the Z50 against the a5100.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and a5100 is 74 and 89 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to see the difference between sensor sizes purely by reading specifications. The image underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the Z50 and a5100.

To sum up, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Sony a5100 to offer more detail with its extra 3MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer Z50 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography features
Sony a5100 Portrait photography features
80
has manual focus
good MP (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW files
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Street photography camera
Sony a5100 as a Street photography camera
73
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
supports focus via touch
environment sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (397 grams)
82
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
provides touch to focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography details
Sony a5100 Sports photography details
75
good MP (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
supports phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
68
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
great battery pack (400 shots)
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow fps (6.0 fps)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography features
Sony a5100 Travel photography features
77
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
supports focus via touch
good MP (21MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
heavier than competitors in class (397 grams)
80
great battery pack (400 shots)
provides touch to focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography info
Sony a5100 Landscape photography info
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inches)
good MP (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
does not have image stabilization
79
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (400 per charge)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging details
Sony a5100 Vlogging details
71
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
supports face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external mic port
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (397 grams)
34
has touchscreen
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
does not have mic socket
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Sony a5100
 Nikon Z50Sony Alpha a5100
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z50 Sony Alpha a5100
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2019-10-10 2014-08-17
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 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 51200 25600
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 209 179
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Sony E
Total lenses 15 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 1,040k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings - Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
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) 283 gr (0.62 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 Overall score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.7
DXO Low light score not tested 1347
Other
Battery life 320 images 400 images
Type of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $857 $448