Sony A5100 vs Nikon Z50

Cameras
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Sony A5100 vs Nikon Z50

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A5100 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A5100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A5100.
Compare Sony A5100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A5100 conclusion.

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.

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Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Nikon Z50

Less expensive
$448 vs $897
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

400 vs 320 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
35 mm vs 60 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
399g vs 533g
Lighter weight
More pixels
24.3 vs 20.9 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon Z50 advantages over Sony A5100

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
5 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
346k vs 230k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
11.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
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
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 A5100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z50 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A5100

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 16-50mm Lens (White)

All A5100 Deals

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Buy the Nikon Z50

Body Only

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

All Z50 Deals

Review Excerpt

Very small and comfortable form factor; Very good image quality for its class; New dual video record function; Quick autofocus and good dynamic range.
Lacks an EVF and external mode dial; No hot shoe; JPEG processing at higher ISOs not as good as some competing mid-level models.
Read our Sony A5100 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 Samsung NX1000

Sony A5100

Samsung NX1000

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$416
APS-C

Higher-res screen
Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1000

Nikon Z50

Samsung NX1000

$790
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$416
APS-C

Thinner
Lighter weight

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Samsung NX1000

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100

Samsung NX1100

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Higher-res screen
Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1100

Nikon Z50

Samsung NX1100

$790
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$450
APS-C

Thinner
Lighter weight

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony A5000

Sony A5100

Sony A5000

$348
APS-C

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

$298
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A5000

Nikon Z50

Sony A5000

$790
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

$298
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Sony A5000

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Sony A5100

Canon EOS M50

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$579
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony A5100 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

Sony A5100

Fujifilm X-S10

$348
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

$1199
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony A5100 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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