Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z50

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z50

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D500.
Compare Nikon D500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D500 conclusion.

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon Z50 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the Z50.

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D500 advantages over Nikon Z50

NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1240 vs 320 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Higher-res screen
590k vs 346k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
1638400 vs 204800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon Z50 advantages over Nikon D500

Less expensive
$897 vs $1597
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Longer video battery life
75 vs 50 minutes
Capture more video
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
60 mm vs 81 mm
Thinner
Newer
4 years vs 8 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z50 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D500

Body Only

Body Only
Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition
Kit with 16-80mm f/2.8-4 Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z50

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 16-50mm and 50-250mm Lenses
Kit with 16-50mm Lens

Review Excerpt

Superb image quality; Great high ISO performance; Rugged, comfortable camera body; Sharp articulating touchscreen display; Excellent AF point frame coverage; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K UHD video; Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth.
Somewhat large for an APS-C camera; Expensive for a DX camera; 4K UHD video doesn't offer full DX field-of-view; No built-in flash; Still uses contrast-detect for Live View AF; Dual slots use two different card types (XQD and SD).
Read our Nikon D500 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon Z50, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Nikon Z50 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D500

Pentax K-3 II

$1598
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II

Nikon Z50

Pentax K-3 II

$807
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$830
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Sony A68

Nikon D500

Sony A68

$1598
APS-C

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A68

Nikon Z50

Sony A68

$807
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Sony A68

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D500

Pentax KP

$1598
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax KP

Nikon Z50

Pentax KP

$807
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Pentax KP

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Nikon D500

Canon EOS M50

$1598
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D500 vs Canon EOS M50

Nikon Z50

Canon EOS M50

$807
APS-C

Larger sensor
Longer stills battery life

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Canon EOS M50

Compared to Fujifilm X-S10

Nikon D500

Fujifilm X-S10

$1598
APS-C

Lens selection
NFC

$949
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D500 vs Fujifilm X-S10

Nikon Z50

Fujifilm X-S10

$807
APS-C

Less expensive
Wider angle kit lens

$949
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Slower slow-motion

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Fujifilm X-S10

Compare Other Cameras?