Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg Compare

Nikon

Z50

First popular APS-C Z mount for enthusiasts.

$859

Released Oct 2019

vs

Nikon

Zf

Retro-styled 24.5MP full-frame mirrorless with classic dials, EXPEED 7 AF, 8-stop IBIS, and 4K 60p video.

$2,049

Released Sep 2023

Zf is 3.9 years newer.

Wins

2categories

Z50

Wins

11categories

Zf

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

Z50 wins 1 categories·Zf wins 4 categories
  • BZf has higher IBIS effectiveness (8 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BZf has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 11 fps)
  • BZf has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 30 fps)
  • BZf has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
  • AZ50 has lower Weight (395 g vs 630 g)

Key specs at a glance

Z50Zf
Resolution20.9 MP24.5 MP
SensorAPS-CFull Frame
ISO max51,20064,000
Burst11 fps30 fps
4K30 fps60 fps
IBISNo8-stop
Weight395 g630 g
Battery300 shots380 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Z50

127 × 94 × 60 mm

395 g (0.87 lb / 13.93 oz)

Zf

144 × 103 × 49 mm

630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)

Z50 is 18mm narrower and 10mm shorter than Zf but it is also 11mm thicker.

Z50 is 235 g lighter than Zf.

Depth (front-to-back): 60mm Z50 · 49mm Zf

Sensor size, to scale

Z50

23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C

369 mm² area

Zf

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Z50

✓ more lenses

Nikon Z

90+

native lenses available

40 first-party50 third-party

Zf

✓ more lenses

Nikon Z

90+

native lenses available

40 first-party50 third-party

Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseZ50Zf
Portrait
4.5Fair
7.5Good✓ wins
Sports & Action
2.5Limited
7.5Good✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
2.5Limited
6.0Good✓ wins
Landscape
0.0Limited
7.0Good✓ wins
Travel
4.5Fair
7.5Good✓ wins
Wildlife
3.5Limited
6.5Good✓ wins
Vlogging
4.5Fair
7.0Good✓ wins

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Z50

  • Codecs

    Adds H.264/AVC

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 126.5, 93.5, 60

  • Card types

    Adds SD UHS-I

  • Weight

    395 g vs 630 g — lower is better

  • EVF magnification

    1.02 × vs 0.8 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose

Zf

  • AF low-light limit

    -10 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better

  • Codecs

    Adds H.265/HEVC 8-bit, H.265/HEVC 10-bit, H.264/AVC 8-bit

  • IBIS effectiveness

    8 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 144, 103, 49

  • Card types

    Adds SD UHS-II, MicroSD UHS-I

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Birds, Cars, Bicycles…

  • Burst (electronic)

    30 fps vs 11 fps — higher is better

  • Pre-Capture / Pre-Release

    Only Zf supports it

Both cameras share

  • AA filterBoth support aa filter
  • ISO min (native)Both 100
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • TouchscreenBoth support touchscreen
  • Wi-FiBoth support wi-fi

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

Z50

Pros

  • Affordable Z mount
  • Compact
  • Good stills

Cons

  • No IBIS
  • Older video
  • Single slot

Zf

Pros

  • Beautiful retro design
  • 273-point hybrid AF
  • 8-stop IBIS
  • Fully articulated touchscreen

Cons

  • No grip extension standard
  • Mixed SD + MicroSD card slots
  • 24.5MP only

Full specifications

= category winner

Z50
Zf
Resolution
20.9 MP
24.5 MP+17%
Sensor type
DX-format CMOS
Full Frame BSI-CMOS
Sensor size
23.5 × 15.7 mm
35.9 × 23.9 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
Z50
Zf
AF system
Hybrid AF (phase-detect + contrast-detect)
Hybrid AF (phase-detect + contrast-detect)
AF points / zones
209
273+31%
AF low-light limit
-4 EV
-10 EV
Eye AF
Yes
Yes
Animal / bird AF
Yes
Yes
Subject recognition
People, Dogs, Cats
People, Birds, Dogs, Cats, Cars, Bicycles, Motorcycles, Trains, Airplanes
Z50
Zf
Burst (mechanical)
11 fps
14 fps+27%
Burst (electronic)
11 fps
30 fps2.7× more
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
No
Yes
Z50
Zf
Max resolution
4K UHD
4K UHD
4K max frame rate
30 fps
60 fps2× more
Internal RAW video
No
No
Log profile
N-Log / HLG
Codecs
H.264/AVC
H.265/HEVC 8-bit, H.265/HEVC 10-bit, H.264/AVC 8-bit
Z50
Zf
Weight
395 g−235 g less
630 g
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
126.5 × 93.5 × 60 mm
144 × 103 × 49 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for landscape, Z50 or Zf?

Zf scores 7.0/10 versus 0.0/10 for Z50 — Full-frame sensor — wider dynamic range.

What's the resolution difference between the Z50 and Zf?

Z50 is 20.9 MP and Zf is 24.5 MP, so the Zf captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Z50 and Zf have in-body image stabilization?

Z50 does not have IBIS, while zf has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Z50 or the Zf?

Z50 reaches 11 fps electronic. Zf reaches 30 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Z50 and Zf?

Z50 weighs 395 g and Zf weighs 630 g, so the Z50 is 235 g lighter.

Do the Z50 and Zf record 4K video?

Z50: 4K up to 30p. Zf: 4K up to 60p.

Are the Z50 and Zf weather sealed?

Z50: No. Zf: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 300 shots (CIPA) for the Z50 and 380 shots for the Zf, giving the Zf the edge.

How much does each cost?

Z50 launched at $859 and Zf at $2,049. The Z50 is $1,190 less.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.