Sony a9 II vs Nikon Z50

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a9 II and Nikon Z50. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a9 II is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z50 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2019.

Camera Released
Sony a9 II 2019
Nikon Z50 2019

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a9 II has a "Sony Full Frame"-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 a9 II 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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 a9 II has a 24 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 a9 II 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon Z50 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712

Sony a9 II has a 16 % 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

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

Camera ISO Range
Sony a9 II 100-51200
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 a9 II
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 a9 II can shoot up to 20 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z50 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a9 II 20
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 a9 II 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 a9 II weighs 678 gr (equal to 1.49 lb) which is 51% heavier than Nikon Z50 and its 450 gr (or 0.99 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a9 II 678 gr
1.49 lb
Nikon Z50 450 gr
0.99 lb

Sony a9 II vs Nikon Z50 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a9 II 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 a9 II
Nikon Z50
Name Sony a9 II Nikon Z50
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a9 II
Nikon Z50
Release Year 2019 2019
Release Date 2019-10-03 2019-10-10
MSRP 4499 USD 859 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a9 II
Nikon Z50
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a9 II
Nikon Z50
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type Stacked CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 5568 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 21 MP
Image Processor Bionz X EXPEED 6
Image
Sony a9 II
Nikon Z50
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 9 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5-axis))
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 5.5 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a9 II
Nikon Z50
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 693 209
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

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 a9 II
Nikon Z50
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 1440000 1040000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x 1.02× (0.68× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 3686400 2360000
Photography features
Sony a9 II
Nikon Z50
Frames per second 20 fps 11 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 7 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
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
Sony a9 II
Nikon Z50
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a9 II
Nikon Z50
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a9 II
Nikon Z50
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + NFC + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (Wired or wireless) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a9 II
Nikon Z50
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100
EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 690 shots 320 shots
Width 129 mm 127 mm
Height 96 mm 94 mm
Depth 76 mm 60 mm
Weight 678 gram 450 gram