Nikon Z50 vs Nikon Z7 II

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z50 and Nikon Z7 II. 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 Z7 II was released 2020. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z50 2019
Nikon Z7 II 2020

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon Z50 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Nikon Z7 II has a "Nikon FX"-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 Z50 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon Z7 II 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 Z50 has a 21 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z7 II has 46 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 Z7 II 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon Z7 II has a 120 % larger resolution than Nikon Z50. 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 Z50 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon Z7 II. Nikon Z50 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon Z7 II has 64 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z50 100-51200
Nikon Z7 II 64-25600

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 Z7 II

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 Z7 II can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z50 11
Nikon Z7 II 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 Z7 II 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 Z7 II weighs 705 gr (equal to 1.55 lb) which is 57% heavier than Nikon Z50 and its 450 gr (or 0.99 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z50 450 gr
0.99 lb
Nikon Z7 II 705 gr
1.55 lb

Nikon Z50 vs Nikon Z7 II Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z50 and Nikon Z7 II, 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 Z7 II
Name Nikon Z50 Nikon Z7 II
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z7 II
Release Year 2019 2020
Release Date 2019-10-10 2020-10-14
MSRP 859 USD 2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z7 II
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z7 II
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5568 x 3712 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 21 MP 46 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 DUAL EXPEED 6
Image
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z7 II
ISO Range 100 - 51200 64 - 25600
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor Shift (5 axis))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 5 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z7 II
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
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 209 493
Lens Mount Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z7 II
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 1040000 2100000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.02× (0.68× 35mm equiv.) 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution 2360000 3690000
Photography features
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z7 II
Frames per second 11 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 900 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 Z7 II
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z7 II
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z7 II
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z50
Nikon Z7 II
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL15c lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 320 shots 420 shots
Width 127 mm 134 mm
Height 94 mm 101 mm
Depth 60 mm 70 mm
Weight 450 gram 705 gram