The Nikon Z50 II is an advanced APS-C mirrorless Z-mount camera from Nikon whereas the Zf is a full-frame retro-style camera released just one year before the Z50 II. Both have similar capabilities but the Zf is full-frame. Which of these is right for you? Read on to find out!
Nikon Z50 II vs Nikon Zf Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon Z50 II | Nikon Zf |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | November 2024 | September 2023 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 7 | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 20.9 MP | 24.5 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 5568×3712 | 6048×4032 |
| 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 | 1/8000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 900 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 11 FPS | 14 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 11 FPS | 14 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | 11 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS) | 14 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 200 frames (11 FPS) | Over 200 frames |
| 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 | 10 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 10 bits | 10 bits |
| Raw Video | No | No |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 60 FPS | 60 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 120 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | 1.5x crop at 4K 60p (4K 30p has no additional crop) | 1.5x crop at 4K 60p (4K 30p has no additional crop) |
| 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) | SD (UHS-II) |
| Slot 2 Type | N/A | Micro SD (UHS-I) |
| 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 | 3.69 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 | 380 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | 270 frames | 430 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 550 g (1.21 lbs.) | 710 g (1.57 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 127 x 97 x 82 mm (5.0 x 3.8 x 3.2″)1 | 144 x 103 x 59 mm (5.7 x 4.1 x 2.3″)2 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $910 (Check Current Price) | $2000 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices (Affiliate) | Nikon Z50 II Used Prices | Nikon Zf 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 Zf’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 10mm were added to the Zf’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
Summary and Recommendations
I think it’s safe to say that the Z50 II and the Zf have very similar capabilities in terms of autofocus and software features. They both have some basic subject recognition modes and would perform similarly in most cases. So, why get the Zf which is twice as expensive as the Z50 II?
For the extra money, the Zf offers a few bonuses. For one, it’s full-frame, and so we’re back to the age-old question: APS-C or full-frame? There is an unquestionable advantage of full-frame, but I think for most shooters, the differences will be slight when it comes to image quality. Perhaps more importantly is the fact that you’ll get a wider field of view if you’re planning on using some of Nikon’s full-frame lenses, which is especially important for wid-angle lenses.
The other thing is IBIS. The Nikon Z50 II doesn’t have it, but the Zf does! Again, if you’re only planning on using Nikon’s DX lenses, that doesn’t matter that much because all of them have IBIS. But many of Nikon’s full-frame lenses do not, like the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 S, which is one of Nikon’s nicest primes.
Finally, there are ergonomics. This is one decision where I recommend trying the Zf in a store. You might love the retro design, or you might find it uncomfortable for your hands.
My overall feeling is that the Zf would be a better choice for a wide variety of general shooting due to the IBIS and the wider field of view, but for wildlife shooters, the Z50 II would be a better choice since Nikon’s long lenses offer IBIS anyway, and the higher pixel density of the Z50 II will give you a bit more detail.
What does the Nikon Z50 II offer over the Nikon Zf?
- Lighter weight (160g lighter or about 1.3 times lighter)
- Much lower price, costing $1090 less
What does the Nikon Zf offer over the Nikon Z50 II?
- 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
- Higher resolution rear display, with about 2.0x more dots, making image review in the field easier
- Higher resolution electronic viewfinder, with about 1.6x more dots, making shooting more enjoyable
- Better battery life when using the viewfinder, with approximately 130 more shots according to CIPA measurements
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Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
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