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Nikon Z 5 vs Nikon Z50II

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonZ 5NikonZ50II
Overview
ReleasedAugust 2020November 2024
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameAPS-C
Sensor typeCMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 23.9 mm23.5 × 15.7 mm
Effective resolution24.3 MP20.9 MP
Largest image6016 × 40165568 × 3712
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–51200100–51200
Sensor detailUK publishes 24.3 million effective pixels, Japan 24.32 million; 24.93 million total. Image-sensor cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data.21.51 million total pixels; Japanese exact specification gives 20.88 million effective, rounded to 20.9 on Nikon UK. Image-dust-off reference data requires NX Studio.
Image formatsNEF RAW 12/14-bit with lossless or compressed options, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG. DX, square and 16:9 still crops supported.14-bit NEF RAW with lossless or high-efficiency compression; JPEG and HEIF; RAW plus JPEG or HEIF
ISO detailExpandable to equivalent ISO 50–102400; auto ISO availableStandard still-image ISO 100–51200, expandable to equivalent ISO 204800; HLG starts at ISO 400. Movie ISO 100–25600, with N-Log-specific limits.
Image processorEXPEED 6EXPEED 7
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon Z mountNikon Z mount
StabilisationSensor shiftOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst4.5 fps30 fps
Lens detailNIKKOR Z lenses; compatible F-mount NIKKOR lenses require an adapter with model-dependent restrictionsNIKKOR Z FX and DX lenses; FX lenses have a DX field-of-view crop. F-mount NIKKOR lenses require an adapter and retain model-dependent restrictions.
AutofocusHybrid phase/contrast detection, 273 single-point FX positions and human/animal eye detection. Maker sensitivity −2 EV normally or −3 EV with low-light AF, in AF-S at ISO 100, 20°C and f/2.0.Hybrid phase/contrast detection; 209 single-point or 231 auto-area positions, nine subject types, 3D tracking and AF-A. Nikon's −9 EV sensitivity uses AF-S, ISO 100, an f/1.2 lens and 20°C.
ShutterMechanical focal-plane, electronic front-curtain and electronic shutters; 1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb and Time. Flash sync 1/200 second; Auto FP supported.Mechanical, electronic front-curtain and electronic; 1/4000 to 30 seconds plus Bulb/Time, extendable to 900 seconds in manual mode. Flash sync up to 1/250 second with reduced guide number above 1/200; Auto FP supported.
Burst detailContinuous H up to 4.5 fps at full resolution with AF/AE; Continuous L 1–4 fpsExtended continuous shooting approximately 11 fps, or 15 fps silent; ordinary high approximately 5.6 fps, rising to 9.7 fps silent without RAW. C15/C30 high-speed capture with pre-release capture reaches 30 fps for JPEGs, not RAW.
Stabilisation detailFive-axis image-sensor shift plus supported lens VR; TechRadar describes a five-stop claimNo sensor-shift stabilisation; optical stabilisation depends on a VR lens. Electronic video VR adds a crop.
FlashNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe with compatible i-TTL Speedlights and wireless-flash accessoriesManual pop-up flash, guide number approximately 7 at ISO 100 in metres; i-TTL and ISO 518 accessory shoe
Exposure controlsAuto/P/S/A/M and three user-setting banks; compensation ±5 EV; matrix, centre-weighted, spot and highlight-weighted meteringAuto, P/S/A/M and scene modes; ±5 EV still-image or ±3 EV movie compensation
Video
Highest video resolution3840 × 2160 at 29.97 fps3840 × 2160 at 60 fps
Video detailUHD 3840 × 2160 up to 29.97p with approximately 1.7× crop; Full HD up to 59.94p using full-frame image area. MOV/MP4 H.264, recordings up to 29 minutes 59 seconds; electronic VR, timecode and time-lapse. No 120p recording mode.UHD 3840 × 2160 up to 60p, with additional crop at 50/60p; full-width DX UHD up to 30p is oversampled from 5.6K. Full HD up to 120p; H.265 8/10-bit and H.264, N-Log and HLG, waveform, timecode, tally lamp, Product Review mode and Full HD Hi-Res Zoom. Maker recording limit 125 minutes, subject to conditions; no internal RAW video listed.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphones or 3.5 mm external microphone with attenuator; PCM in MOV or AAC in MP4, headphone monitoring availableBuilt-in stereo microphones; PCM 48 kHz/24-bit for MOV or AAC 48 kHz/16-bit for MP4; external microphone and headphone monitoring
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3.2″3.2″
Screen dots1,040,0001,040,000
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailTilting touchscreen, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels. Maker size is 3.2 inches, rather than TechRadar's 3.0-inch wording.Vari-angle TFT, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detail0.5-inch Quad-VGA OLED, approximately 3.69 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 21 mm eyepoint0.39-inch XGA OLED, approximately 2.36 million dots, 100% coverage, 1.02× magnification and 19.5 mm eyepoint; maker maximum brightness claim 1000 cd/m²
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Battery life (maker's claim)470 photographs250 photographs
Body weight590 g495 g
Release detailMaker launch release states August 2020 availability; a later US maker notice schedules 27 August. Exact earliest worldwide or UK retail day remains unconfirmed, so month precision is retained.Announced in November 2024; Nikon US states availability in late November 2024. Month precision is retained because an exact first UK retail day is unconfirmed.
Recording mediaTwo UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slots; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG separation and card copyingSingle SD/SDHC/SDXC slot supporting UHS-II, in the battery compartment
PortsUSB-C SuperSpeed USB, HDMI Type C mini connector, 3.5 mm microphone/headphone sockets and accessory terminal for compatible remote cords; maker connector specifications take precedence over the review's full-size HDMI wordingUSB-C SuperSpeed USB; Micro HDMI Type D; 3.5 mm microphone input and headphone output, the latter also supports MC-DC3 remote release
Wireless connectionsUK technical page lists Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz; Japan lists a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4/5 GHz. Bluetooth 4.2 and SnapBridge; regional wireless specifications differ.Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0; SnapBridge and Nikon Imaging Cloud
Battery life detailEN-EL15c; CIPA approximately 470 shots using monitor or 390 using EVF. Movie battery claim approximately 120 minutes with monitor or 115 with EVF. Earlier EN-EL15 variants give fewer shots; optional MB-N10 holds two batteries.EN-EL25a; CIPA approximately 250 monitor shots with power saving enabled or 230 without; EVF 240 with power saving or 220 without. Tested with NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/3.5–6.3 VR; movie battery-life claim 55 minutes. EN-EL25 compatibility gives shorter battery life; Photography Blog's 300-shot EN-EL25 narrative is not the current maker claim.
ChargingUSB-C charging/power with compatible equipment; in-camera charging supports EN-EL15c/15b; MH-25a external charger, optional EH-7P or compatible AC adapter with EP-5B connectorUSB charging and power with compatible equipment; optional EH-8P adapter
DimensionsApproximately 134 × 100.5 × 69.5 mmApproximately 127 × 96.8 × 66.5 mm
Weight detailApproximately 590 g body only or 675 g with battery/card, excluding body capApproximately 495 g body only or 550 g including battery/card, excluding body cap
MaterialsMaker dust/drip-resistant magnesium-alloy exterior; TechRadar identifies a plastic rear panel. Maker operating range 0–40°C; resistance does not guarantee waterproofing.–
In the boxBF-N1 body cap, DK-29 eyecup, EN-EL15c battery, MH-25a charger, AN-DC19 strap, UC-E24 USB cable and BS-1 shoe cover; charger plug varies by region, current Japan also lists AN-DC26 as a strap alternativeEN-EL25a battery, AN-DC29 strap, USB-C cable and BF-N1 body cap

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