Sony a7S vs Nikon D50

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7S and Nikon D50. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a7S is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D50 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a7S were released 2014 and Nikon D50 was released 2005. That is a 9 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a7S 2014
Nikon D50 2005

Type of camera

Sony a7S is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D50 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a7S has a "Sony Full Frame"-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 **
Sony a7S 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 (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a7S has a 12 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
Sony a7S 12 MP
12007680 pixels
4240 x 2832
Nikon D50 6 MP
6016000 pixels
3008 x 2000

Sony a7S has a 100 % 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

Sony a7S has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D50. Sony a7S has an ISO range that stretches from 10 to 102400 while Nikon D50 has 200 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7S 10-102400
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 Sony a7S
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. Sony a7S can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D50 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a7S 5
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 Sony a7S. 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 D50 weighs 620 gr (equal to 1.37 lb) which is 27% heavier than Sony a7S and its 489 gr (or 1.08 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7S 489 gr
1.08 lb
Nikon D50 620 gr
1.37 lb

Sony a7S vs Nikon D50 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7S 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
Sony a7S
Nikon D50
Name Sony a7S Nikon D50
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a7S
Nikon D50
Release Year 2014 2005
Release Date 2014-04-06 2005-04-20
MSRP 2499 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7S
Nikon D50
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a7S
Nikon D50
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CCD
Resolution 4240 x 2832 pixels 3008 x 2000 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 6 MP
Image Processor Bionz X EXPEED
Image
Sony a7S
Nikon D50
ISO Range 10 - 102400 200 - 1600
White Balance Presets 10 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a7S
Nikon D50
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 25 5
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
Sony a7S
Nikon D50
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 2”
Screen dots 921000 130000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT-LCD N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71x 0.75× (0.5× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a7S
Nikon D50
Frames per second 5 fps 2,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 11 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/2 EV, 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a7S
Nikon D50
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
XAVC-S
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a7S
Nikon D50
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a7S
Nikon D50
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (with NFC and wireless control via smartphone)
No
Remote Control Yes (Wired) Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7S
Nikon D50
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
Nikon EN-EL3 Lithium-Ion & charger included
Battery Life (CIPA) 380 shots 400 shots
Width 127 mm 133 mm
Height 94 mm 102 mm
Depth 48 mm 76 mm
Weight 489 gram 620 gram