Nikon D800 vs Nikon D50

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D800 and Nikon D50. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D800 were released 2012 and Nikon D50 was released 2005. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D800 2012
Nikon D50 2005

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D800 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Nikon D50 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D800 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D50 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D800 has a 36,3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D50 has 6 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D800 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912
Nikon D50 6 MP
6016000 pixels
3008 x 2000

Nikon D800 has a 501 % larger resolution than Nikon D50. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D800 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D50. Nikon D800 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D50 has 200 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D800 100-25600
Nikon D50 200-1600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D800
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D50

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D50 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D800 6
Nikon D50 2,5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Nikon D800. Unfortunately Nikon D50 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D800 weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 45% heavier than Nikon D50 and its 620 gr (or 1.37 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D800 900 gr
1.98 lb
Nikon D50 620 gr
1.37 lb

Nikon D800 vs Nikon D50 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D800 and Nikon D50, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Nikon D800
Nikon D50
Name Nikon D800 Nikon D50
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D800
Nikon D50
Release Year 2012 2005
Release Date 2012-02-07 2005-04-20
MSRP 2999 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D800
Nikon D50
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D800
Nikon D50
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CCD
Resolution 7360 x 4912 pixels 3008 x 2000 pixels
Megapixels 36,3 MP 6 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 3 EXPEED
Image
Nikon D800
Nikon D50
ISO Range 100 - 25600 200 - 1600
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D800
Nikon D50
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 51 5
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D800
Nikon D50
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3,2” 2”
Screen dots 921000 130000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× 0.75× (0.5× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Nikon D800
Nikon D50
Frames per second 6 fps 2,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 11 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/2 EV, 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D800
Nikon D50
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon D800
Nikon D50
Memory Card Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D800
Nikon D50
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D800
Nikon D50
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Nikon EN-EL3 Lithium-Ion & charger included
Battery Life (CIPA) 900 shots 400 shots
Width 146 mm 133 mm
Height 123 mm 102 mm
Depth 82 mm 76 mm
Weight 900 gram 620 gram