Sony a57 vs Nikon Z50
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a57 and Nikon Z50. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a57 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z50 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a57 were released 2012 and Nikon Z50 was released 2019. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a57 | 2012 |
Nikon Z50 | 2019 |
Type of camera
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a57 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon Z50 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 ** |
Sony a57 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Nikon Z50 | 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 (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Resolution
Sony a57 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z50 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a57 |
16 MP
16032768 pixels 4912 x 3264 |
Nikon Z50 |
21 MP
20668416 pixels 5568 x 3712 |
Nikon Z50 has a 29 % larger resolution than Sony a57. 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 Sony a57. Nikon Z50 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Sony a57 has 100 to 16000.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a57 | 100-16000 |
Nikon Z50 | 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 Sony a57
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z50
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a57 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z50 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a57 | 12 |
Nikon Z50 | 11 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a57 and Nikon Z50 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.
Sony a57 weighs 618 gr (equal to 1.36 lb) which is 37% heavier than Nikon Z50 and its 450 gr (or 0.99 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a57 | 618 gr 1.36 lb |
Nikon Z50 | 450 gr 0.99 lb |
Sony a57 vs Nikon Z50 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a57 and Nikon Z50, 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 |
Sony a57 |
Nikon Z50 |
Name | Sony a57 | Nikon Z50 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a57 |
Nikon Z50 |
Release Year | 2012 | 2019 |
Release Date | 2012-03-13 | 2019-10-10 |
MSRP | 699 USD | 859 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a57 |
Nikon Z50 |
Camera Type | SLT | Mirrorless |
Sensor |
Sony a57 |
Nikon Z50 |
Sensor Size | APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 4912 x 3264 pixels | 5568 x 3712 pixels |
Megapixels | 16 MP | 21 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 6 |
Image |
Sony a57 |
Nikon Z50 |
ISO Range | 100 - 16000 | 100 - 51200 |
White Balance Presets | 9 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a57 |
Nikon Z50 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 15 | 209 |
Lens Mount |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon Z See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
APS-C Sensor (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 |
Sony a57 |
Nikon Z50 |
Articulated LCD | Fully articulated | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3.2” |
Screen dots | 921000 | 1040000 |
Touch screen | No | Yes |
Screen type | Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 1.04× (0.69× 35mm equiv.) | 1.02× (0.68× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | 2360000 |
Photography features |
Sony a57 |
Nikon Z50 |
Frames per second | 12 fps | 11 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | 10 meters | 7 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a57 |
Nikon Z50 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 AVCHD |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution |
1440 x 1080 1920 x 1080 |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a57 |
Nikon Z50 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a57 |
Nikon Z50 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
Yes Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth) |
Remote Control | Yes (Optional) | Yes (via smartphone) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a57 |
Nikon Z50 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
|
EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 550 shots | 320 shots |
Width | 132 mm | 127 mm |
Height | 98 mm | 94 mm |
Depth | 81 mm | 60 mm |
Weight | 618 gram | 450 gram |