• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Sony A7R advantages over Nikon Z50

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 4.22 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 20.9 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon Z50 advantages over Sony A7R

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Newer
    5 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 51200 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z50

Review Excerpt

  • Incredibly small body for a fully-featured, full-frame camera; Resolution that rivals a medium-format camera; Excellent image quality even at very high sensitivities; Decent performance bearing in mind its extremely high resolution; Accepts existing Alpha-mount and E-mount lenses, and can optionally crop to APS-C image circle.

  • Extreme resolution makes focus and lens quality critical; Modest performance; Loud shutter; Lacks hybrid autofocus of the A7; Mediocre battery life when using electronic viewfinder; Slow X-sync; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A7R
Sony A7
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More pixels
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon Z50
Sony A7
  • $807
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A7R II

Sony A7R
Sony A7R II
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $2348
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
Nikon Z50
Sony A7R II
  • $807
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $2348
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Sony A7R
Canon EOS M50
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon Z50
Canon EOS M50
  • $807
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $579
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon EOS RP

Sony A7R
Canon EOS RP
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $949
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon Z50
Canon EOS RP
  • $807
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $949
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Fujifilm X-S10

Sony A7R
Fujifilm X-S10
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1199
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon Z50
Fujifilm X-S10
  • $807
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Wider angle kit lens
  • $1199
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
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