The Nikon Zf is a full-frame Z retro-style camera from Nikon and the Nikon Z50 is Nikon’s first APS-C mirrorless camera with the Z-mount. The Zf is a great all-round camera whereas the Z50 is perfect for slower photography for those on a budget. Which one should you get?
Nikon Z50 vs Nikon Zf Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon Z50 | Nikon Zf |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | October 2019 | September 2023 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 6 | 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 | 5.9µ |
| 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 | No | Yes (JPEG only) |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/4000 | 1/8000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 11 FPS | 14 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 11 FPS | 14 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | 12-bit raw at 11 FPS (14-bit raw is available at 9 FPS) | 14 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 35 frames (11 FPS) | Over 200 frames |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition |
| Autofocus Points | 209 | 273 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -4 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) | 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 | 120 FPS | 120 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | No | 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 | 1 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | SD (UHS-I) | 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 | Single Axis | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 1.02x (0.67x FF equiv.) | 0.80x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 2.36 million dots | 3.69 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | No | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | No | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Type B 2.0 | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Battery Type | EN-EL25 | EN-EL15c |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 280 frames | 360 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 320 frames | 380 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | N/A | 430 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 450 g (0.99 lbs.) | 710 g (1.57 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 127 x 94 x 75 mm (5.0 x 3.7 x 2.9″)1 | 144 x 103 x 59 mm (5.7 x 4.1 x 2.3″)2 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $860 (Check Current Price) | $2000 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices | Nikon Z50 Used Prices | Nikon Zf Used Prices |
| 1The Nikon Z50’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 15mm were added to the Z50’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
Right from the start, the Nikon Zf beats the Z50 in almost every way. Compared to the Z6II or Z7II, the Nikon Zf has much improved autofocus sitting only behind the Z8 and Z9. This means in particular that the Zf has truly superior autofocus to the Z50. It’s of course also full-frame.
The Zf also has IBIS, which is lacking in the Z50. But even so, there may be some reasons to get a Z50. If you’re shooting relatively static subjects then the Z50 could be all you need, especially if you’re planning on using lenses with vibration reduction (VR). The Z50 is after all a lot cheaper, and can be found used or new for less than half the price of the Zf.
So, I’d say if you’re looking for a general-purpose full-frame camera that can handle almost any scenario, the Zf is a great choice. But, if you like to shoot slower scenes and aren’t particularly dependent on IBIS, the Z50 is actually a very nice camera. Personally as a wildlife photographer, I often shoot bird portraits and I’d be very happy with a Z50 and a long lens with VR like the Nikon 400mm f/4.5, although I’d definitely long for the Zf if I had to shoot action.
What does the Nikon Z50 offer over the Nikon Zf?
- Lighter weight (260g lighter or about 1.6 times lighter)
- Much lower price, costing $1140 less
What does the Nikon Zf offer over the Nikon Z50?
- 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
- 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 80 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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