The Nikon Z5 is Nikon’s cheapest full-frame Z-mount camera, whereas the Nikon Z50 II is a medium-tier APS-C camera that provides some serious upgrades to the original Z50. If you’re looking for a decent camera under a thousand dollars, both these cameras could be quite appealing. Which one of them is right for you? Read on to find out!
Nikon Z5 vs Nikon Z50 II Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon Z5 | Nikon Z50 II |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | July 2020 | November 2024 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 6 | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 24.3 MP | 20.9 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 6016×4016 | 5568×3712 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) | 23.5 x 15.7 mm (APS-C) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 5.95µ | 4.22µ |
| Low Pass Filter | Yes | No |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | Yes | No |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 51,200 | ISO 51,200 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 50-102,400 | ISO 100-204,800 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | No |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | Yes | No |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | No | Yes (JPEG only) |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/8000 | 1/4000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 4.5 FPS | 11 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 4.5 FPS | 11 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | None | 11 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 100 frames (4.5 FPS) | 200 frames (11 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition |
| Autofocus Points | 273 | 209 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -3.5 EV | -7.5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/200 |
| Curtain to Protect Sensor at Shutdown | No | No |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 8 bits | 10 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 8 bits | 10 bits |
| Raw Video | No | No |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 30 FPS | 60 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 60 FPS | 120 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | 1.7x crop at 4K | 1.5x crop at 4K 60p (4K 30p has no additional crop) |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:0 | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 30 min | 125 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 2 | 1 |
| Slot 1 Type | SD (UHS-II) | SD (UHS-II) |
| Slot 2 Type | SD (UHS-II) | N/A |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.2 in | 3.2 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 1.04 million dots | 1.04 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Single Axis | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8x | 1.02x (0.67x FF equiv.) |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 3.69 million dots | 2.36 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | No | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
| GPS | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Type C 3.1 | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Battery Type | EN-EL15c | EN-EL25a |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 390 frames | 230 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 470 frames | 250 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | N/A | 270 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 675 g (1.49 lbs.) | 550 g (1.21 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 134 x 101 x 80 mm (5.3 x 4.0 x 3.1″)1 | 127 x 97 x 82 mm (5.0 x 3.8 x 3.2″)2 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $1400 (Check Current Price) | $910 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices (Affiliate) | Nikon Z5 Used Prices | Nikon Z50 II Used Prices |
| 1The Nikon Z5’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 15mm were added to the Z5’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
| 2The Nikon Z50 II’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 15mm were added to the Z50 II’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
Summary and Recommendations
There are three main appealing features of the Nikon Z5 (see also our full review). First, it’s a full-frame camera, so you’re going to get very good image quality from it. Second, it’s Nikon’s cheapest full-frame camera, so it can be had for a very decent price, especially used. And although the Z5 appeared to be a little weak upon its first release, at least in terms of autofocus, it’s nearly on the same level as the original Z6 now because of its latest firmware.
Finally, the Z5 has IBIS. If you’re using mostly DX lenses on the Z50 II, that might not be a big deal because Nikon’s DX lenses all have vibration reduction. But if you want to use any full-frame lenses without VR, then the Z50 II will simply be unstabilized, and thus you’ll be able to shoot with lower shutter speeds and less camera shake on the Z5.
That being said, the Z50 II clearly takes the cake when it comes to autofocus due to its upgrade to the EXPEED 7 processor, its new subject-recognition modes, and its better buffer too. The Z5 was already rather slow with its 4.5fps burst rate, and the Z50 II dominates it with its 11fps, and 30fps in high-speed JPEG shooting mode.
And despite the difference in sensor sizes, the Z50 II is also quite a lot better for video with 4:2:2 10-bit mode over the 8-bit video of the Z5. The Z50 II can also shoot 120fps at 1080P and 60fps at 4K, albeit with a 1.5 crop—although the Z5 has a 1.7x crop at 4K30 whereas the Z50 II has no crop. Thus, if you’ll mainly be shooting in 4K30, the Z5 doesn’t even offer any sensor-size advantage!
If I had to choose one of these cameras, I’d probably go for the Z50 II—if I were mainly after action scenes and if I weren’t planning on using any full-frame lenses that don’t have VR.
But, if I were mainly shooting landscapes or still scenes, then the Z5 would be superior due to its bigger sensor, which implies higher image quality and the ability to go wider given Nikon’s lens selection. And of course, if you’re considering a Z5, you might also want to consider comparing it to the original Nikon Z6, which by now shouldn’t be much different than the Z5 on the used market.
What does the Nikon Z5 offer over the Nikon Z50 II?
- 1.16 times more megapixels (24.3MP vs 20.9MP)
- A Full Frame sensor, which will provide better low-light performance (about 1.2 stops) than the APS-C sensor of the Nikon Z50 II
- In-body image stabilization, allowing for easier handheld photography even with non-stabilized lenses
- Two card slots, which is better for redundancy and backup
- Higher resolution electronic viewfinder, with about 1.6x more dots, making shooting more enjoyable
- Better battery life when using the viewfinder, with approximately 160 more shots according to CIPA measurements
What does the Nikon Z50 II offer over the Nikon Z5?
- Lighter weight (125g lighter or about 1.2 times lighter)
- Lower price, costing $490 less
- Better autofocus and shooting rate (11fps vs. 4.5fps)
- Better video
Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
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