Mirrorless cameras aren't anything new, they've been around for over a decade, but there's been a surge of releases lately and Nikon has been at the forefront of that wave with the Nikon Z6/Z7 launch and now, the Nikon Z50 has joined the Nikon mirrorless camera line-up. 

The Nikon Z50 is an APS-C mirrorless camera which uses the same Z-mount as the already released Nikon Z6 and Z7 full-frame mirrorless cameras but, apart from the Nikon branding and shared lens mount, do they have anything else in common? We thought we'd find out the answer to this question by sitting all three mirrorless cameras side-by-side so we can compare their specs in more detail.  

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Nikon Z50 vs Z6 Vs Z7: The Differences Summarised 

The most obvious difference is the sensor type/size, which we'll cover in more detail below, but the LCD monitor resolution is also slightly different as is the ISO ranges and varied continuous shooting fps. There's also no in-body image stabilisation on the Nikon Z50, different USB connections are used (USB-2 on the Z50 and USB-C on the Z6/Z7), the battery isn't the same on all three cameras and they all have slightly different dimensions/ weight. Plus, as you'd expect, they all have different prices. 

Nikon Z50 vs Z6 Vs Z7: Target Audience 

Nikon’s first APS-C mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z50, is considered to be an enthusiast camera and it sits next to the D7500 and D500 in the Nikon ILC line-up. The Nikon Z6 is also aimed at enthusiasts, sitting next to the Nikon D750, but, obviously, are interested in the full-frame sensor while the Nikon Z7 is aimed at the Pro wanting a full-frame camera and can be found at the top of the hierarchy next to the popular Nikon D850 and the Nikon D5. 

Nikon is suggesting that the Nikon Z50 is a great choice for those wanting to upgrade from a D5000 / D7000 cameras, too. 

Nikon Z50 vs Z6 Vs Z7: Image Sensor 

The Nikon Z50 has a 20.88MP, APS-C CMOS sensor while the Nikon Z6 and Z7 have a Full-frame Back-lit CMOS sensor (24.5MP on the Z6 and 45.7MP on the Z7). On paper, this means the Nikon Z6/Z7 should capture images of a higher quality than the Nikon Z50 with the Nikon Z7 capturing the best photos out of all three with its 8256x5504 pixel sensor size compared with the 6048x4024 on the Z6 and 5568x3712 on the Nikon Z50 but, of course, sensor size isn't the only thing that determines how good a photo is...

• Nikon Z50 - 20.88MP, APS-C CMOS sensor, 5568x3712 pixel size
• Nikon Z6 - 24.5MP, Full-frame Back-lit CMOS sensor, 6048x4024 pixel size
• Nikon Z7 - 45.7MP, Full-frame Back-lit CMOS sensor, 8256x5504 pixel size

Nikon Z50 vs Z6 Vs Z7: Camera Body Weight, Size & Design 

Z50 (not to scale)

Z6 (not to scale)

Z7 (not to scale)

The Nikon Z50 is the smallest and lightest out of all three mirrorless cameras weighing in at 450g and having dimensions just that bit smaller than the Z6 and Z7. 

As for the design, all three cameras do look very similar with a textured deep grip and the overall shape looking almost identical. Some of the dials are in different places on the Z50 in comparison to the Z6/Z7 but, generally, they're all much of the same. 

Nikon Z50 vs Z6 Vs Z7: LCD Monitor

All three cameras have a 3.2in touch screen but the resolution is slightly better on the Z6/Z7 cameras (2100k dots vs 1040k dots on the Z50) but the screen does tilt down on the Z50 for those who want to capture selfies or often do pieces to camera and need to see how they look in the frame. 

Nikon Z50 vs Z6 Vs Z7: Image Stabilisation

There's no in-body image stabilisation on the Nikon Z50. Instead, the camera relies on in-lens optical image stabilisation, which Nikon call VR (Vibration Reduction). This comes with “Dual detect” optical VR, which has gyro sensor information to give high levels of image stabilisation in the new DX 16-50mm VR and DX 50-250mm VR lenses. The Nikon Z6 and Z7 both have in-body image stabilisation. The 5-axis sensor-based image stabilisation system works with Z mount lenses when they are used, but also works when you use a Nikon F lens with VR, with the FTZ adapter, so that you can benefit from both image stabilisation systems. The system is said to give up to 5-stops of image stabilisation.

Nikon Z50 vs Z6 Vs Z7: ISO 

There are some slight differences in the ISO range of each camera which are as follows: 

• Nikon Z50: 100 - 204800
• Nikon Z6 - 50 - 204800
• Nikon Z7 -  32 - 102400

Nikon Z50 vs Z6 Vs Z7: Continuous Shooting

Continuous Shooting is rated at 9fps (frames per second) on the Nikon Z7, 12fps on the Nikon Z6 and 11fps on the Nikon Z50. On test, the continuous shooting speed was very good on the Z6/Z7 cameras and we expect the Z50 to be no different. 

Nikon Z50 vs Z6 Vs Z7: Video 

All three cameras capture video in FullHD and 4K at the following FPS (frames per second): 

Video FPS

• Nikon Z50: 4K UHD 30, 25, 24fps, FullHD 120fps
• Nikon Z6 - 4K UHD 30, 25, 24fps, FullHD 120fps
• Nikon Z7 -  4K UHD 30, 25, 24fps, FullHD 120fps

Nikon Z50 vs Z6 Vs Z7: Battery 

The Z50 uses an EN-EL25 battery while the Z6/Z7 cameras feature an EN-EL15B battery type. The Z7 offers the most shots (CIPA rating) on one charge at 330 but the Z6 and Z50 aren't that far behind at 310 and 300 shots, respectively. 

Nikon Z50 vs Z6 Vs Z7: Price  

The Nikon Z50 is priced for £849 body only or £989 with a 16-50mm lens. The dual-lens option is priced at £1199 while the Nikon Z6 is priced at £1681 body only, £2249 with a 24-70mm lens, £2375 with a 24-70mm lens and mount adapter or £1699 with just a mount adapter. 

The Nikon Z7 body-only is priced at £2649 or you can purchase it with a 24-70mm lens for £2979. Add a mount adapter to this lens/camera combo and it's priced at £3149 or you can purchase the Z7 with just the mount adapter for £2719. 

Prices correct at the time of writing. By using our Amazon Affiliate links when ordering anything online, you are supporting the site - thank you.

Final Thoughts

We were impressed with the performance of the Z6 and Z7 when we put them to the test and we look forward to seeing how well the Z50 mirrorless camera captures photos when we get a unit in for review. In the meantime, have a read of our 'Top 13 Best Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras 2019' list. We also have a 'Best Entry Level Mirrorless Compact System Cameras 2019' top list or, for options which are a bit more expensive, take a look at our '22 Best Premium Compact System Cameras 2019' recommendations. 

If you want to learn more about the Z6/Z7 cameras and how they compare with the Nikon D850 DSLR, we have a 'Vs' article just for you: Nikon D850 DSLR vs Z7 & Z6 Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras.