Fujifilm X100V vs Nikon Z50

The Fujifilm X100V and the Nikon Z50 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2020 and October 2019. The X100V is a fixed lens compact, while the Z50 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Fujifilm has a resolution of 26 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 20.7 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Fujifilm X100V		Nikon Z50
Fixed lens compact camera		Mirrorless system camera
35mm f/2.0		Nikon Z mount lenses
26 MP – APS-C sensor		20.7 MP – APS-C sensor
4K/30p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 160-12,800 (80 - 51,200)		ISO 100-51,200 (100 - 204,800)
Electronic viewfinder (3690k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0" LCD – 1620k dots		3.2" LCD – 1040k dots
Tilting touchscreen		Tilting touchscreen
11 shutter flaps per second		11 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
420 shots per battery charge		320 shots per battery charge
128 x 75 x 53 mm, 478 g		127 x 94 x 60 mm, 450 g

Check X100V offers at
ebay.com
Check Z50 price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm X100V and the Nikon Z50? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X100V and the Nikon Z50. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The X100V can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the Z50 is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon Z50 is notably larger (24 percent) than the Fujifilm X100V. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the X100V has a lens built in, whereas the Z50 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup.

Concerning battery life, the X100V gets 420 shots out of its Fujifilm NP-W126S battery, while the Z50 can take 320 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL25 power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm X100V	128 mm	75 mm	53 mm	478 g	420	Y	Feb 2020	1,399	ebay.com
2.		Nikon Z50	127 mm	94 mm	60 mm	450 g	320	Y	Oct 2019	859	amazon.com
3.		Canon G1 X Mark III	115 mm	78 mm	51 mm	399 g	200	Y	Oct 2017	1,299	ebay.com
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	141 mm	83 mm	46 mm	495 g	350	Y	Jan 2016	1,699	ebay.com
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	141 mm	83 mm	46 mm	497 g	440	Y	Oct 2019	1,799	amazon.com
6.		Fujifilm X-T1	129 mm	90 mm	47 mm	440 g	350	Y	Jan 2014	1,299	ebay.com
7.		Fujifilm X-T2	133 mm	92 mm	49 mm	507 g	340	Y	Jul 2016	1,599	ebay.com
8.		Fujifilm X-T3	133 mm	93 mm	59 mm	539 g	390	Y	Sep 2018	1,499	ebay.com
9.		Fujifilm X100T	127 mm	74 mm	52 mm	440 g	330	n	Sep 2014	1,299	ebay.com
10.		Fujifilm X100F	127 mm	75 mm	52 mm	469 g	390	n	Jan 2017	1,299	ebay.com
11.		Fujifilm X100VI	128 mm	75 mm	55 mm	521 g	450	Y	Feb 2024	1,599	amazon.com
12.		Nikon D5300	125 mm	98 mm	76 mm	480 g	600	n	Oct 2013	799	ebay.com
13.		Nikon D5500	124 mm	97 mm	70 mm	470 g	820	n	Jan 2015	899	ebay.com
14.		Nikon Z30	128 mm	74 mm	60 mm	405 g	330	Y	Jun 2022	709	amazon.com
15.		Nikon Z fc	135 mm	94 mm	44 mm	445 g	300	n	Jun 2021	959	amazon.com
16.		Samsung NX1	139 mm	102 mm	66 mm	550 g	500	Y	Sep 2014	1,499	ebay.com
17.		Sony A6300	120 mm	67 mm	49 mm	404 g	400	Y	Feb 2016	999	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Despite having a slightly smaller sensor, the Fujifilm X100V offers a higher resolution of 26 megapixels, compared with 20.7 MP of the Nikon Z50. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.76μm versus 4.22μm for the Z50). However, it should be noted that the X100V is a somewhat more recent model (by 3 months) than the Z50, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that partly offset its pixel-size disadvantage. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Fujifilm X100V implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the X100V for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 31.2 x 20.8 inches or 79.2 x 52.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 25 x 16.6 inches or 63.4 x 42.3 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20.8 x 13.9 inches or 52.8 x 35.2 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon Z50 are 27.8 x 18.6 inches or 70.7 x 47.1 cm for good quality, 22.3 x 14.8 inches or 56.6 x 37.7 cm for very good quality, and 18.6 x 12.4 inches or 47.1 x 31.4 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Fujifilm X100V has a native sensitivity range from ISO 160 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 80-51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon Z50 are ISO 100 to ISO 51200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-204800.

In terms of underlying technology, the X100V is build around a BSI-CMOS sensor, while the Z50 uses a CMOS imager. The X100V uses Fujifilm's X-Trans layout of photosites, while the Z50 employs the more common Bayer array.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Fujifilm X100V	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/30p	24.2	13.6	1996	84
2.		Nikon Z50	APS-C	20.7	5568	3712	4K/30p	24.1	13.6	1963	84
3.		Canon G1 X Mark III	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.8	13.2	1649	81
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.7	13.0	1608	80
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/30p	24.1	13.6	1968	84
6.		Fujifilm X-T1	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	23.5	12.7	1426	77
7.		Fujifilm X-T2	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	23.8	13.1	1653	81
8.		Fujifilm X-T3	APS-C	26.0	6240	4160	4K/60p	24.0	13.4	1853	83
9.		Fujifilm X100T	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	23.6	12.8	1483	78
10.		Fujifilm X100F	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.9	13.2	1704	81
11.		Fujifilm X100VI	APS-C	39.8	7728	5152	6.2K/30p	24.3	14.1	2397	86
12.		Nikon D5300	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.0	13.9	1338	83
13.		Nikon D5500	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.1	14.0	1438	84
14.		Nikon Z30	APS-C	20.7	5568	3712	4K/30p	24.3	13.9	2230	86
15.		Nikon Z fc	APS-C	20.7	5568	3712	4K/30p	24.2	13.8	2131	85
16.		Samsung NX1	APS-C	28.0	6480	4320	4K/30p	24.2	13.2	1363	83
17.		Sony A6300	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	24.4	13.7	1437	85
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under consideration are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the X100V offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the Z50 (3690k vs 2360k dots). The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Fujifilm X100V, the Nikon Z50, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Fujifilm X100V	3690	n	3.0 / 1620	tilting	Y	1/4000s	11.0/s	n	n
2.		Nikon Z50	2360	n	3.2 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	11.0/s	Y	n
3.		Canon G1 X Mark III	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/2000s	9.0/s	Y	Y
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	2360	n	3.0 / 1620	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0/s	n	n
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	3690	n	3.0 / 1620	tilting	Y	1/8000s	8.0/s	n	n
6.		Fujifilm X-T1	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	n	1/4000s	8.0/s	n	n
7.		Fujifilm X-T2	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	full-flex	n	1/8000s	8.0/s	n	n
8.		Fujifilm X-T3	3690	n	3.0 / 1040	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	11.0/s	n	n
9.		Fujifilm X100T	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	6.0/s	Y	n
10.		Fujifilm X100F	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	8.0/s	Y	n
11.		Fujifilm X100VI	3690	n	3.0 / 1620	tilting	Y	1/4000s	11.0/s	n	Y
12.		Nikon D5300	optical	n	3.2 / 1037	swivel	n	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
13.		Nikon D5500	optical	n	3.2 / 1037	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
14.		Nikon Z30	none	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	11.0/s	Y	n
15.		Nikon Z fc	2360	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	11.0/s	n	n
16.		Samsung NX1	2360	Y	3.0 / 1036	tilting	Y	1/8000s	15.0/s	Y	n
17.		Sony A6300	2359	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	n	1/4000s	11.0/s	Y	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The Z50 has one, while the X100V does not. While the built-in flash of the Z50 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Fujifilm X100V and the Nikon Z50 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the X100V and the Z50 write their files to SDXC cards. The Z50 supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the X100V can use UHS-I cards (up to 104 MB/s).

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm X100V and Nikon Z50 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Fujifilm X100V	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
2.		Nikon Z50	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
3.		Canon G1 X Mark III	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	-	3.1	Y	-	Y
6.		Fujifilm X-T1	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
7.		Fujifilm X-T2	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
8.		Fujifilm X-T3	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
9.		Fujifilm X100T	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
10.		Fujifilm X100F	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
11.		Fujifilm X100VI	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
12.		Nikon D5300	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
13.		Nikon D5500	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
14.		Nikon Z30	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
15.		Nikon Z fc	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
16.		Samsung NX1	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	Y	Y
17.		Sony A6300	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

The Z50 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Nikon. In contrast, the X100V has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the X100V was succeeded by the Fujifilm X100VI. Further information on the features and operation of the X100V and Z50 can be found, respectively, in the Fujifilm X100V Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon Z50 Manual.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Fujifilm X100V and the Nikon Z50? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Arguments in favor of the Fujifilm X100V:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (26 vs 20.7MP) with a 12% higher linear resolution.
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (3690k vs 2360k dots).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1620k vs 1040k dots).
• Ready to shoot: Has a lens built-in, whereas the Z50 requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (128x75mm vs 127x94mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (420 versus 320) on a single battery charge.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.1 vs 2.0).
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 3 months after the Z50).

Reasons to prefer the Nikon Z50:

• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.68x vs 0.44x).
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• More flexible: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with specialty optics.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in October 2019).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the X100V comes out slightly ahead of the Z50 (8 : 7 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm X100V and the Nikon Z50 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Prime Lens Compact Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the X100V or the Z50 perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Fujifilm X100V	5/5	+ +	4.5/5	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2020	1,399	ebay.com
2.		Nikon Z50	5/5	..	5/5	85/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2019	859	amazon.com
3.		Canon G1 X Mark III	5/5	+	4/5	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2017	1,299	ebay.com
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	..	+	..	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2016	1,699	ebay.com
5.		Fujifilm X-Pro3	4/5	+	4/5	85/100	4/5	..	Oct 2019	1,799	amazon.com
6.		Fujifilm X-T1	5/5	+ +	..	84/100	5/5	5/5	Jan 2014	1,299	ebay.com
7.		Fujifilm X-T2	5/5	+ +	..	86/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2016	1,599	ebay.com
8.		Fujifilm X-T3	5/5	+ +	4.5/5	88/100	5/5	5/5	Sep 2018	1,499	ebay.com
9.		Fujifilm X100T	5/5	+	..	81/100	4.5/5	5/5	Sep 2014	1,299	ebay.com
10.		Fujifilm X100F	5/5	+	3.9/5	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	1,299	ebay.com
11.		Fujifilm X100VI	5/5	+ +	4.5/5	..	..	4.5/5	Feb 2024	1,599	amazon.com
12.		Nikon D5300	4/5	+ +	..	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	799	ebay.com
13.		Nikon D5500	5/5	+	..	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2015	899	ebay.com
14.		Nikon Z30	4/5	..	4/5	86/100	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2022	709	amazon.com
15.		Nikon Z fc	4/5	..	4.5/5	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2021	959	amazon.com
16.		Samsung NX1	5/5	..	..	87/100	5/5	5/5	Sep 2014	1,499	ebay.com
17.		Sony A6300	4.5/5	+	..	85/100	5/5	5/5	Feb 2016	999	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Check X100V offers at
ebay.com
Check Z50 price at
amazon.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

~

Check X100V offers at
ebay.com
Check Z50 price at
amazon.com

Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.