Canon XSi vs Nikon Z50

Cameras
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Canon XSi vs Nikon Z50

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APS-C 328.6mm²
12.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Canon XSi Review.
See real-world photos taken with the XSi.

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon Z50 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the Z50.

Succeeded by the Canon T1i
Compare XSi vs T1i
Compare Canon T1i vs Nikon Z50

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Differences

Canon XSi advantages over Nikon Z50

Bigger pixels
~ 5.20 vs 4.22 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

500 vs 320 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
88 mm vs 75 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon Z50 advantages over Canon XSi

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs No
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
5 years vs 17 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
1037k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More viewfinder magnification
0.68x vs 0.54x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
20.9 vs 12.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 29 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
11.0 fps vs 3.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 1600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read XSi User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z50 User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 16-50mm and 50-250mm Lenses
Kit with 16-50mm Lens

All Z50 Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon XSi Full Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon Z50, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Nikon Z50 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D60

Canon XSi

Nikon D60

$649
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Less shutter lag

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Nikon D60

Nikon Z50

Nikon D60

$790
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$700
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Nikon D60

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon XSi

Pentax K2000

$649
APS-C

More pixels
More AF points

$556
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Pentax K2000

Nikon Z50

Pentax K2000

$790
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$556
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Canon T1i

Canon XSi

Canon T1i

$649
APS-C

Longer stills battery life

$900
APS-C

Fast startup
HDMI out

Compare Canon XSi vs Canon T1i

Nikon Z50

Canon T1i

$790
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$900
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Canon T1i

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Canon XSi

Canon EOS M50

$649
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$579
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon XSi vs Canon EOS M50

Nikon Z50

Canon EOS M50

$790
APS-C

Larger sensor
Longer stills battery life

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Canon EOS M50

Compared to Fujifilm X-S10

Canon XSi

Fujifilm X-S10

$649
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$1199
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Canon XSi vs Fujifilm X-S10

Nikon Z50

Fujifilm X-S10

$790
APS-C

Less expensive
Wider angle kit lens

$1199
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Slower slow-motion

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Fujifilm X-S10

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