Nikon Z50 vs Nikon D500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z50 and Nikon D500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon Z50 were released 2019 and Nikon D500 was released 2016. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z50 2019
Nikon D500 2016

Type of camera

Nikon Z50 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D500 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon DX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Neither of the cameras has a Full frame sensor which means that you will get a "crop factor" where the camera's sensor size affect the focal length with a multiplier.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon Z50 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D500 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

Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Nikon Z50 has a 21 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D500 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon Z50 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712
Nikon D500 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712

ISO range

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 51200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z50 100-51200
Nikon D500 100-51200

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 Z50
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon Z50 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Nikon D500 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z50 11
Nikon D500 10

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon Z50 and Nikon D500 can shoot movies.

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 D500 weighs 860 gr (equal to 1.9 lb) which is 91% heavier than Nikon Z50 and its 450 gr (or 0.99 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z50 450 gr
0.99 lb
Nikon D500 860 gr
1.9 lb

Nikon Z50 vs Nikon D500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z50 and Nikon D500, 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 Z50
Nikon D500
Name Nikon Z50 Nikon D500
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z50
Nikon D500
Release Year 2019 2016
Release Date 2019-10-10 2016-01-05
MSRP 859 USD 1999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z50
Nikon D500
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Nikon Z50
Nikon D500
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5568 x 3712 pixels 5568 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 21 MP 21 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 EXPEED 5
Image
Nikon Z50
Nikon D500
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z50
Nikon D500
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 209 153
Lens Mount Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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 Z50
Nikon D500
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 1040000 2359000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.02× (0.68× 35mm equiv.) 1× (0.67× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 2360000 0
Photography features
Nikon Z50
Nikon D500
Frames per second 11 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 7 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z50
Nikon D500
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon Z50
Nikon D500
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Nikon Z50
Nikon D500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-in (Wi-Fi with low energy Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z50
Nikon D500
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 320 shots 1240 shots
Width 127 mm 147 mm
Height 94 mm 115 mm
Depth 60 mm 81 mm
Weight 450 gram 860 gram