Nikon Mirrorless Cameras Compared

Ever since Nikon released its first Z-mount mirrorless cameras in 2018, the camera line-up has grown tremendously, totaling 6 cameras. The first two cameras, the Nikon Z6 and Z7 have been updated with their second-generation bodies. In-between, Nikon also released the Z5 – a budget full-frame mirrorless camera, as well as the Z50 – Nikon’s first Z-mount APS-C camera. In this article, we will take a look at the general specifications of these cameras and see how they compare to each other.

Nikon Mirrorless Comparison

To make it easier to compare these cameras side-by-side, I went ahead and created a single large table that shows all the key specifications of these cameras, as well as their current prices. Please note that there is a lot of information here, so most of it had to be compressed to fit. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the key specifications:

Camera FeatureNikon Z50Nikon Z5Nikon Z6Nikon Z6 IINikon Z7Nikon Z7 II
Sensor Resolution20.9 MP24.3 MP24.5 MP45.7 MP
Crop Factor1.5x1.0x
Low-Pass FilterYesNo
Sensor TypeBSI CMOSCMOSBSI CMOS
ISO RangeISO 100-51,200ISO 64-25,600
IBISNoYes, 5-axis
Sensor Size23.5 x 15.7mm36.0 x 24.0mm
Image Size5568 x 37126016 x 40166048 x 40248256 x 5504
Image ProcessorEXPEED 62x EXPEED 6EXPEED 62x EXPEED 6
EVF Resolution2.36 MP3.6 MP
EVF Coverage100%
Improved EVFNoYesNoYes
EVF Magnif.0.68x0.8x
Built-in FlashNo
Flash Sync1/200s
Media1x SD UHS I2x SD UHS II1x CFe1x CFe + 1x SD UHS II1x CFe1x CFe + 1x SD UHS II
FPS11 FPS4.5 FPS12 FPS14 FPS9 FPS10 FPS
Buffer (12-bit)35100351242377
Max Shutter1/40001/8000
Min Shutter30 secUp to 900 sec30 secUp to 900 sec
AF System209 points273 points493 points
Low-Light EV Range-2 to +19-3.5 to +19-4.5 to +19-2 to +19-3 to +17
Eye AFYes
Eye AF in VideoNoYesNoYes
Max Video4K @ 30p4K @ 60p4K @ 30p4K @ 60p
4K Video Crop1.5x1.7x1.0x1.0x (30p), 1.5x (60p)1.08x
HDMI Out4:2:0 8-bit4:2:2 10-bit
N-LOGNoYes
HLG / HDR OutNoYesNoYes
Articulating LCDYes
LCD Size3.2 Diagonal
LCD Resolution1.04 MP2.1 MP
Wi-Fi / BluetoothYes / Yes
BatteryEN-EL15bEN-EL15cEN-EL15bEN-EL15cEN-EL15bEN-EL15c
Battery Life (CIPA)300 shots470 shots310 shots340 shots330 shots360 shots
Battery GripN/AMB-N10MB-N11MB-N10MB-N11
Grip ControlsNoYesNoYes
Continous Ext PowerNoYesNoYes
Weather-SealingYes
USB VersionType-B M 3.0Type-C 3.1
Weight (Body Only)395g590g585g615g585g615g
Dimensions127 x 94 x 60mm134 x 101 x 70mm134 x 101 x 68mm134 x 101 x 70mm134 x 101 x 68mm134 x 101 x 70mm
Current Price$859$1,199$1,599$1,999$2,499$2,999

While most of the basic specifications are similar, there are some key differences worth pointing out. First of all, the Nikon Z50 is an oddball here. Being a budget-friendly APS-C camera with a smaller sensor when compared to full-frame, one could argue that it should not be listed together with the rest of the group. It is the only camera on the list without in-body image stabilization (IBIS), it only has a single UHS-I compatible SD card slot, and overall, it has noticeably lower-grade components. At the same time, it is the lightest, smallest, and cheapest camera on the list.

Second, you might have noticed that the cameras are sorted by their respective resolution. The Nikon Z50 has the lowest-resolution sensor at 20.9 MP. Next, we have three-general purpose cameras with similar 24 MP resolution sensors. And the last two columns are for the specialized, high-resolution Z7-series cameras that feature 45.7 MP sensors. These cameras are the most feature-rich, and the most expensive of the bunch.

While Nikon kept the Z6 II and Z7 II models almost identical to their predecessors in camera ergonomics and design, these cameras differ quite a bit internally. The newer-generation mirrorless cameras feature dual EXPEED 6 processors, which boosts their autofocus systems, increase continuous shooting frame rate, and improve video features. They also have superior low-light sensitivity range, larger buffers, as well as additional in-camera features (such as the ability to create timelapse videos while shooting timelapses, shoot up to 900 seconds without a remote, load camera firmware from the Snapbridge app, etc). Nikon got a lot of heat for only providing a single CFe / XQD memory card slot, so both successors now feature an additional UHS-II compatible SD card slot. Lastly, both Nikon Z6 II and Z7 II are now able to use a proper battery grip with real dials and controls.

The Nikon Z5 is the most budget-friendly option among full-frame cameras. In fact, it is one of the cheapest full-frame cameras on the market today. When compared to the original Z6, it has dual SD card slots, much slower continuous shooting speed of 4.5 FPS, a slightly inferior sensor, limited 4K video shooting abilities (heavy 1.7x crop), and an inferior LCD screen. Other than that, most of the features are very similar.

Ergonomically, all full-frame Nikon cameras handle very similarly. The Nikon Z5 is the only full-frame camera not to feature a top LCD. All other controls, as well as the grip, are nearly identical to those of the Z6 / Z7.

I hope you found the above comparison table useful. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments section below!

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