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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A57

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A57 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Launched October 2019
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Announced September 2012
  • Replaced the Sony A55
  • Replacement is Sony A58
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A57 Overview

Following is a extended analysis of the Nikon Z50 vs Sony A57, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and A57 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The Z50 was released 7 years after the A57 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the Z50 grades versus the A57 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Sony A57

 Z50 A57 
AnnouncedOctober 2019September 2012More modern by 87 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k921kClearer screen (+119k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Nikon Z50

 A57 Z50 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Sony A57

 Z50 A57 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z50 has got outer measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") accompanied by a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Sony A57 has dimensions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") with a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Check the Nikon Z50 vs Sony A57 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the Z50 vs the A57.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the Z50 and A57 is 74 and 64 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to see the contrast in sensor sizes just by seeing a spec sheet. The image below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the Z50 and A57.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Nikon Z50 to provide extra detail as a result of its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The fresher Z50 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography info
Sony A57 Portrait photography info
80
has manual focus
megapixel count good (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
74
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z50
Street photography with Sony A57
73
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
offers touch focus
weather sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (397 grams)
75
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z50
Sports photography with Sony A57
75
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
78
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography highlights
Sony A57 Travel photography highlights
77
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
offers touch focus
megapixel count good (21MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
more heavy than average in class (397 grams)
67
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A57 as a Landscape photography camera
79
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
megapixel count good (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
lack of image stabilization
72
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z50
Vlogging with Sony A57
71
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
supports face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external microphone socket
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (397g)
77
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic jack
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Sony A57
 Nikon Z50Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z50 Sony SLT-A57
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2019-10-10 2012-09-13
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 -
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 21MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5568 x 3712 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 51200 16000
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 209 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 15 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 1,040k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 11.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397g (0.88 lbs) 618g (1.36 lbs)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 785
Other
Battery life 320 photographs 550 photographs
Form of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $857 $1,000