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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A6500

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Sony Alpha a6500 front
Portability
81
Imaging
67
Features
85
Overall
74

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A6500 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Released October 2019
Sony A6500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 453g - 120 x 67 x 53mm
  • Launched October 2016
  • Replaced the Sony A6300
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A6500 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Nikon Z50 versus Sony A6500, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the Z50 (21MP) and the A6500 (24MP) is fairly close and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The Z50 was revealed 3 years later than the A6500 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A6500 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick overview of how the Z50 scores vs the A6500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Sony A6500

 Z50 A6500 
LaunchedOctober 2019October 2016More recent by 37 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k922kSharper display (+118k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A6500 over the Nikon Z50

 A6500 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Sony A6500

 Z50 A6500 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A6500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera, you have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon Z50 provides 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 A6500 has specifications of 120mm x 67mm x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") and a weight of 453 grams (1.00 lbs).

Examine the Nikon Z50 versus Sony A6500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the Z50 compared to the A6500.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A6500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z50 and A6500 is 74 and 81 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A6500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements only by looking through specs. The visual underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the Z50 and A6500.

All in all, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should anticipate the Sony A6500 to render extra detail because of its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more modern Z50 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A6500 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A6500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A6500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A6500 as a Portrait photography camera
80
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
80
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z50
Street photography with Sony A6500
73
tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
environment proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (397g)
85
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
offers touch to focus
weather proof
great ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z50
Sports photography with Sony A6500
75
decent sensor resolution (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
77
silent mode (1/32,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery (350 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A6500 as a Travel photography camera
77
environment proof
has bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (21 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
more heavy than others in class (397g)
74
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
offers touch to focus
decent megapixels (24MP)
flash built-in
low battery (350 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography information
Sony A6500 Landscape photography information
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
decent sensor resolution (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
no image stabilization
79
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
low battery (350 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging information
Sony A6500 Vlogging information
71
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
supports face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have microphone port
no image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (397g)
39
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes mic support
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A6500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Sony A6500
 Nikon Z50Sony Alpha a6500
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z50 Sony Alpha a6500
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2019-10-10 2016-10-06
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 area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5568 x 3712 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 51200 25600
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 209 425
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Sony E
Total lenses 15 121
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings - Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397 gr (0.88 lb) 453 gr (1.00 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 120 x 67 x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 85
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1405
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 350 pictures
Form of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $857 $1,298