Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS 50D

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z5 and Canon EOS 50D. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Nikon Z5 is manufacturered by Nikon but Canon EOS 50D is from Canon. Both Nikon and Canon are well known brands though.

Nikon Z5 were released 2020 and Canon EOS 50D was released 2008. That is a 12 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z5 2020
Canon EOS 50D 2008

Type of camera

Nikon Z5 is a Mirrorless camera while Canon EOS 50D is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon Z5 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Canon EOS 50D has a "Canon APS-C"-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 **
Nikon Z5 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS 50D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** 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 (Nikon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Nikon Z5 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS 50D has 15,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon Z5 24 MP
24160256 pixels
6016 x 4016
Canon EOS 50D 15,1 MP
15054336 pixels
4752 x 3168

Nikon Z5 has a 60 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 50D. 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

Nikon Z5 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 50D. Nikon Z5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS 50D has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z5 100-51200
Canon EOS 50D 100-12800

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 Nikon Z5
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 50D

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon Z5 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS 50D can shoot up to 6,3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z5 4,5
Canon EOS 50D 6,3

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Nikon Z5. Unfortunately Canon EOS 50D does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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.

Canon EOS 50D weighs 822 gr (equal to 1.81 lb) which is 22% heavier than Nikon Z5 and its 675 gr (or 1.49 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z5 675 gr
1.49 lb
Canon EOS 50D 822 gr
1.81 lb

Nikon Z5 vs Canon EOS 50D Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z5 and Canon EOS 50D, 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
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 50D
Name Nikon Z5 Canon EOS 50D
Manufacturer Nikon Canon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 50D
Release Year 2020 2008
Release Date 2020-07-21 2008-08-26
MSRP 1399 USD 1399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 50D
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 50D
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6016 x 4016 pixels 4752 x 3168 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 15,1 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 DIGIC 4
Image
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 50D
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 12 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor Shift (5 axis))
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 50D
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
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 273 9
Lens Mount Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (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
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 50D
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 920000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT liquid-crystal color LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 200% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8x 0.95× (0.59× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 3689400 N/A
Photography features
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 50D
Frames per second 4,5 fps 6,3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 13 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 50D
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
N/A
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 50D
Memory Card SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 50D
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth)
No
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes (N3 connector)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z5
Canon EOS 50D
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15c lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion BP-511A rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 470 shots 800 shots
Width 134 mm 146 mm
Height 101 mm 108 mm
Depth 70 mm 74 mm
Weight 675 gram 822 gram