D50

Released 2005

A 6.1-megapixel DX DSLR with a body autofocus motor, five focus points and 1/500-second flash synchronisation.

Type: DSLR
Sensor: APS-C
Megapixels: 6.1
Lens: Nikon F mount
Video: –
Body weight: 540 g

What reviewers say

Both like the comfortable grip, responsive operation and sharp images, and criticise the limited bundled RAW software. Camera Labs praises sturdy construction and quick handling, while Photo Review finds a poorly fitted port cover. Photo Review also notes elevated default saturation. The lower resolution and slower burst rate than some contemporary rivals limit appeal for cropping and action photography.

From cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com and photoreview.com.au

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: DSLR
Sensor format: APS-C
Sensor type: CCD
Sensor dimensions: 23.7 × 15.6 mm
Effective resolution: 6.1 MP
Largest image: 3008 × 2000
RAW recording: Yes
Standard ISO range: 200–1600
Sensor detail: Nikon DX CCD with 6.1 million effective and 6.24 million total pixels; approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalent; Image Dust Off reference data for optional Nikon Capture correction
Image formats: Compressed 12-bit NEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus Basic JPEG; maximum 3008 × 2000 pixels; Image Optimisation settings
ISO detail: ISO 200–1600 in whole stops

Lens and shooting

Lens mount: Nikon F mount
Stabilisation: Optical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst: 2.5 fps
Lens detail: Body autofocus motor supports compatible AF NIKKOR lenses, including type G and D; AF-S lenses also supported. Other AF NIKKOR lenses lose 3D matrix metering; non-CPU lenses require manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupported; E-type lenses incompatible according to current Nikon USA specification
Autofocus: Multi-CAM 900 phase-detection module; five selectable focus areas; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100 equivalent, 20°C; AF-S/AF-C/AF-A and manual focus, single-area, dynamic-area and closest-subject-priority modes; AF-assist illuminator. Current US page lists Face-Priority AF, absent from the original manual specification; no face-detection capability inferred
Shutter: Combined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter; 1/4000 to 30 seconds in half or one-third stops, Bulb and remote long exposures; flash synchronisation up to 1/500 second
Burst detail: Approximately 2.5 fps; US launch specifies up to 137 Normal Large JPEG frames on SanDisk UltraII 256 MB SD card. Original manual buffer table separately lists four RAW or nine Fine Large JPEG frames with long-exposure noise reduction off; card-dependent sustained shooting differs from buffer capacity
Stabilisation detail: Optical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisation. Pictured original AF-S DX 18–55 mm ED kit lens has no VR
Flash: Built-in pop-up i-TTL flash; original manual guide number approximately 15 m at ISO 200 (17 manual) or 11 m at ISO 100 (12 manual); accessory shoe
Exposure controls: P/S/A/M, Auto and six scene modes; 420-segment RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation in half or one-third stops; exposure/flash and white-balance bracketing

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 2″
Screen dots: 130,000
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed 2-inch low-temperature-polysilicon TFT with 130000 dots; top status LCD; contextual help and playback magnification; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detail: Pentamirror; approximately 95% coverage and 0.75× magnification; original manual specifies 18 mm eyepoint, conflicting with 8 mm on current US page

Connections and design

Battery life (maker's claim): 400 photographs
Body weight: 540 g
Release detail: Nikon USA original announcement dated 20 April 2005 states June US availability as a prospective schedule; actual first-sale month is unconfirmed, so year precision is retained
Recording media: One Secure Digital card slot; no SDHC compatibility inferred
Ports: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, NTSC/PAL video output and DC input; optional ML-L3 infrared remote
Battery life detail: EN-EL3 lithium-ion battery; main 400 shots is original manual single-frame test with 18–55 mm ED lens, Normal Large JPEG and flash every other exposure, not labelled CIPA. Separate 2000-shot continuous test uses Basic Medium JPEG and limited monitor use; the launch announcement promotes that continuous figure
Charging: External MH-18a quick charger; optional EH-5 mains adapter
Dimensions: Approximately 133 × 102 × 76 mm
Weight detail: Approximately 540 g excluding battery, memory card and body cap
Colours: Black or silver

Video

Video detail: No movie recording or live-view composition; NTSC/PAL output is for playback, despite the current US page labelling it Movie File Format

Pros and cons

Pros

Autofocus with compatible motorless AF NIKKOR lenses
Flash synchronisation up to 1/500 second
Compressed 12-bit RAW and top status display

Cons

2.5 fps continuous shooting
Fixed two-inch display
No live-view shooting or movie recording

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
NikonD200	DSLR	APS-C	10.2	Nikon F mount	–	830 g	Dec 2005
NikonD70S	DSLR	APS-C	6.1	Nikon F mount	–	600 g	Apr 2005
SonyAlpha DSLR-A100	DSLR	APS-C	10.2	Sony A-mount	–	545 g	Jul 2006

Sources

Photo: Nikon USA product photograph with original AF-S DX 18–55mm ED lens; lens is not part of body specifications

D50 right side with mounted lens: Nikon official product photograph
D50 left side with mounted lens: Nikon official product photograph
D50 front right oblique with mounted lens: Nikon official product photograph
D50 front left oblique with mounted lens: Nikon official product photograph
D50 rear: Nikon official product photograph

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