Nikon Z9 vs Nikon D50

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z9 and Nikon D50. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon Z9 were released 2021 and Nikon D50 was released 2005. That is a 16 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z9 2021
Nikon D50 2005

Type of camera

Nikon Z9 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D50 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon Z9 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor while Nikon D50 has a "Nikon DX"-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 Z9 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D50 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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)

Resolution

Nikon Z9 has a 46 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D50 has 6 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon Z9 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504
Nikon D50 6 MP
6016000 pixels
3008 x 2000

Nikon Z9 has a 655 % larger resolution than Nikon D50. 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 Z9 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D50. Nikon Z9 has an ISO range that stretches from 32 to 102400 while Nikon D50 has 200 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z9 32-102400
Nikon D50 200-1600

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 Z9
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D50

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon Z9 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Nikon D50 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z9 30
Nikon D50 2,5

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 Z9. Unfortunately Nikon D50 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.

Nikon Z9 weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 116% heavier than Nikon D50 and its 620 gr (or 1.37 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z9 1340 gr
2.95 lb
Nikon D50 620 gr
1.37 lb

Nikon Z9 vs Nikon D50 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z9 and Nikon D50, 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 Z9
Nikon D50
Name Nikon Z9 Nikon D50
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z9
Nikon D50
Release Year 2021 2005
Release Date 2021-10-28 2005-04-20
MSRP 5500 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z9
Nikon D50
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Nikon Z9
Nikon D50
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type Full Stacked CMOS CCD
Resolution 8256 x 5504 pixels 3008 x 2000 pixels
Megapixels 46 MP 6 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 7 EXPEED
Image
Nikon Z9
Nikon D50
ISO Range 32 - 102400 200 - 1600
White Balance Presets 9 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor Shift (Synchro VR with selected lenses))
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 6 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z9
Nikon D50
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 493 5
Lens Mount Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

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
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon Z9
Nikon D50
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 2”
Screen dots 2088960 130000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8x 0.75× (0.5× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 3686400 N/A
Photography features
Nikon Z9
Nikon D50
Frames per second 30 fps 2,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/32000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 11 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/2 EV, 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z9
Nikon D50
Video recording Yes No
Video format H.264
H.265
N/A
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon Z9
Nikon D50
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
XQD
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon Z9
Nikon D50
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac/Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy)
No
Remote Control Yes (Via app) Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS Yes
Built-in (GPS, GLONASS, QZSS)
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z9
Nikon D50
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL18d (backwards compatible with EN-EL18/a/b/c batteries)
Nikon EN-EL3 Lithium-Ion & charger included
Battery Life (CIPA) 740 shots 400 shots
Width 149 mm 133 mm
Height 150 mm 102 mm
Depth 91 mm 76 mm
Weight 1340 gram 620 gram