The Nikon Z50 II and the Nikon Z6 III are two Nikon Z-mount cameras released in 2024. However, the first is an APS-C camera and the second is a full-frame camera. They have similar capabilities, so which one is right for you?
Nikon Z50 II vs Nikon Z6 III Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon Z50 II | Nikon Z6 III |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | November 2024 | June 2024 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | Partially Stacked CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 7 | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 20.9 MP | 24.5 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 5568×3712 | 6048×4024 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 23.5 x 15.7 mm (APS-C) | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 4.22µ | 5.94µ |
| Low Pass Filter | No | Yes |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | No | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 51,200 | ISO 64,000 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 100-204,800 | ISO 50-204,800 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | Yes |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | No | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | Yes (JPEG only) | Yes (JPEG only) |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/4000 | 1/16000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 900 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 11 FPS | 14 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 11 FPS | 20 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | 11 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS) | 20 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 60 FPS; DX JPEG at 120 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 200 frames (11 FPS) | Over 1000 frames (20 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition |
| Autofocus Points | 209 | 273 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -7.5 EV | -8.5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/200 |
| Curtain to Protect Sensor at Shutdown | No | No |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 10 bits | 12 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 10 bits | 12 bits |
| Raw Video | No | Yes |
| 6K Maximum Framerate | N/A | 60 FPS |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 60 FPS | 120 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 240 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | 1.5x crop at 4K 60p (4K 30p has no additional crop) | No |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:2 | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 125 min | 125 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 1 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | SD (UHS-II) | CFExpress Type B |
| Slot 2 Type | N/A | SD (UHS-II) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.2 in | 3.2 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 1.04 million dots | 2.1 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Fully Articulating | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 1.02x (0.67x FF equiv.) | 0.8x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 2.36 million dots | 5.76 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Battery Type | EN-EL25a | EN-EL15c |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 230 frames | 360 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 250 frames | 390 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | 270 frames | 410 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 550 g (1.21 lbs.) | 760 g (1.68 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 127 x 97 x 82 mm (5.0 x 3.8 x 3.2″)1 | 139 x 102 x 89 mm (5.5 x 4.0 x 3.5″)2 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $910 (Check Current Price) | $2500 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices (Affiliate) | Nikon Z50 II Used Prices | Nikon Z6 III Used Prices |
| 1The 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. | ||
| 2The Nikon Z6 III’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 15mm were added to the Z6 III’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
Summary and Recommendations
The Nikon Z50 II is probably the closest APS-C equivalent to the Nikon Z6 III, but it’s also much cheaper at less than half the price. And in many ways, it can keep up with the Z6 III. The Z50 II has many of the autofocus capabilities and features of the Z6 III and the same EXPEED 7 image processor.
So the question is, what do you get in the Z6 III that doesn’t come with the Z50 II. Well, unquestionably, the Z6 III is a bit faster in some ways. Due to its “partially stacked” sensor, it has a faster readout speed than the Z50 II, although it’s not as fast as the Z8 or Z9. That means the autofocus of the Z6 III is still a bit better than the Z50 II. The buffer of the Z6 III is also 1000 frames versus 200 frames of the Z50 II.
The Z50 II is not a bad video camera with a 10-bit option, but the Z6 III has 12-bit video in Raw. And due to the slightly higher megapixel count of the Z6 III, it also offers 6K video, which can be quite useful if you want to do some zooming in post and your final output is 4K.
Then of course, there’s IBIS. None of Nikon’s APS-C cameras up to the Z50 II have IBIS. That’s not really a problem if you’ll just be using DX-only lenses because all of them have stabilization built in. But, if you are planning on using some full-frame Nikon lenses without stabilization, then the IBIS of the Z6 will give you noticeably better results for still subjects. And let’s not forget that without IBIS, video on the Z50 II without a stabilized lens will be quite shaky.
Ergonomically, the Z6 III has some nice features lacking on the Z50 II such as a higher-resolution rear screen, two card slots, and a better viewfinder.
So if you’re trying to decide between these two cameras, I think the main question is: is the full-frame sensor, IBIS, Raw video, and slightly better autofocus worth it for an additional $1500?
What does the Nikon Z50 II offer over the Nikon Z6 III?
- Lighter weight (210g lighter or about 1.4 times lighter)
- Much lower price, costing $1590 less
What does the Nikon Z6 III offer over the Nikon Z50 II?
- Better autofocus
- 1.17 times more megapixels (20.9MP vs 24.5MP)
- 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
- Raw and 12-bit video
- Higher resolution rear display, with about 2.0x more dots, making image review in the field easier
- Higher resolution electronic viewfinder, with about 2.4x more dots, making shooting more enjoyable
- Better battery life when using the viewfinder, with approximately 130 more shots according to CIPA measurements
Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
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