Nikon Z50 vs Sony A1

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon Z50 vs Sony A1

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.

35mm 861.6mm²
50.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A1.
Compare Sony A1 image quality against competitors.

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Differences

Nikon Z50 advantages over Sony A1

Less expensive
$997 vs $6498*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
60 mm vs 80 mm
Thinner
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A1 advantages over Nikon Z50

Slower slow-motion
240 fps vs 120 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Longer video battery life
150 vs 75 minutes
Capture more video
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

530 vs 320 shots
Capture more photos
Higher max flash sync
1/400 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
3 years vs 4 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
0.90x vs 0.68x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
50.1 vs 20.9 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
30.0 fps vs 11.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 11.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z50 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A1 User Reviews

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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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A1

Body Only

Review Excerpt

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

We haven’t finished our review of the Sony A1, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Sony A1 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Nikon Z50

Canon EOS M50

$857
APS-C

Larger sensor
Longer stills battery life

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Canon EOS M50

Sony A1

Canon EOS M50

$6499
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Lens selection

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon EOS M50

Compared to Sony A6400

Nikon Z50

Sony A6400

$857
APS-C

Lacks anti-aliasing filter
Higher extended ISO

$898
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Sony A6400

Sony A1

Sony A6400

$6499
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Larger sensor

$898
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A6400

Compared to Canon R5

Nikon Z50

Canon R5

$857
APS-C

Less expensive
Internal flash

$3549
35mm

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Canon R5

Sony A1

Canon R5

$6499
35mm

Slower slow-motion
NFC

$3549
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Nikon Z50

Nikon Z7 II

$857
APS-C

Less expensive
Internal flash

$2730
35mm

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Nikon Z7 II

Sony A1

Nikon Z7 II

$6499
35mm

Slower slow-motion
NFC

$2730
35mm

Less expensive
Top deck display

Compare Sony A1 vs Nikon Z7 II

Compared to Fujifilm X-S10

Nikon Z50

Fujifilm X-S10

$857
APS-C

Less expensive
Wider angle kit lens

$949
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Slower slow-motion

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Fujifilm X-S10

Sony A1

Fujifilm X-S10

$6499
35mm

Larger sensor
NFC

$949
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Fujifilm X-S10

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