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Nikon D50 Comparison Review

The Nikon D50 is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera that was officially introduced in April 2005 and is equipped with an APS-C sensor. It offers a resolution of 6 megapixel.

camera

Is the Nikon D50 a good camera? The D50 has a Camera Elo of 881. This rating puts the D50 below average of all digital single lens reflex cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (APS cameras), the D50 also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Nikon D50 is more than 18 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2005.

Headline Specifications
Nikon D50
Digital single lens reflex
Nikon F mount lenses
6 MP, APS-C Sensor
no Video
ISO 200 - 1 600
Optical viewfinder
2.0 LCD, 130k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
2.5 shutter flaps per second
400 shots per battery charge
133 x 102 x 76 mm, 620 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The physical dimensions of the Nikon D50 relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Nikon D50 vs credit card front
D50 versus credit card top view
D50 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Nikon D50 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D50 133 mm 102 mm 76 mm 620 g 400 n Apr 2005 749ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D5200 129 mm 98 mm 78 mm 555 g 500 n Nov 2012 749ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D5100 128 mm 97 mm 79 mm 560 g 660 n Apr 2011 749ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D3000 126 mm 97 mm 64 mm 536 g 500 n Jul 2009 599ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D5000 127 mm 104 mm 80 mm 590 g 510 n Apr 2009 749ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D60 126 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 500 n Jan 2008 629ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D40X 124 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 520 n Mar 2007 729ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D40 124 mm 94 mm 64 mm 522 g 470 n Nov 2006 499ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D80 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 668 g 600 n Aug 2006 999ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D70s 140 mm 111 mm 78 mm 679 g 500 n Apr 2005 899ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D70 140 mm 111 mm 78 mm 679 g 400 n Jan 2004 999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Nikon D50 was launched in the US market at a price of $749. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Check D50 offers at
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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tent to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Nikon D50 features an APS-C sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Nikon D50 among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Nikon D50 sensor measures

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of alternative cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon D50 APS-C 6.0 3008 2000none20.910.856055
2.
 
Nikon D5200 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60i24.213.9128484
3.
 
Nikon D5100 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.513.6118380
4.
 
Nikon D3000 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.311.156362
5.
 
Nikon D5000 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.586872
6.
 
Nikon D60 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.511.456265
7.
 
Nikon D40X APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.411.451663
8.
 
Nikon D40 APS-C 6.0 3008 2000none21.011.056156
9.
 
Nikon D80 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.111.252461
10.
 
Nikon D70s APS-C 6.0 3008 2000none20.410.352950
11.
 
Nikon D70 APS-C 6.0 3008 2000none20.410.352950
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It should be noted that unlike many modern cameras, the D50 does not provide the possibility to capture videos.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the D50 has an optical viewfinder that provides a field of view of 95% and a magnification of 0.50x. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Nikon D50 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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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.
 
Nikon D50optical n2.0 / 130 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
2.
 
Nikon D5200optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
3.
 
Nikon D5100optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
4.
 
Nikon D3000optical n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
5.
 
Nikon D5000optical n2.7 / 230 full-flex n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
6.
 
Nikon D60optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
7.
 
Nikon D40Xoptical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D40optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D80optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D70soptical n2.0 / 130 fixed n 1/8000s 3.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D70optical n1.8 / 130 fixed n 1/8000s 3.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One convenient feature of the D50 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection 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 Nikon D50 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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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.
 
Nikon D50Y- / ----2.0---
2.
 
Nikon D5200Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
3.
 
Nikon D5100Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
4.
 
Nikon D3000Y- / ----2.0---
5.
 
Nikon D5000Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D60Y- / ----2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D40XY- / ----2.0---
8.
 
Nikon D40Y- / ----2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D80Y- / ----2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D70sY- / ----2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D70Y- / ----1.0---
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Further information on the features and operation of the D50 can be found in the free online Nikon D50 Manual or on the Nikon support site.

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Expert reviews

While the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the D50 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D50..78/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Apr 2005 749ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D52004/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Nov 2012 749ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D51005/5+ +..76/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2011 749ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D3000..+..72/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 599ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D5000..+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Apr 2009 749ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D60..80/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Jan 2008 629ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D40X..79/100..+ +4/54/5 Mar 2007 729ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D40..81/100..+ +o4.5/5 Nov 2006 499ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D80..+..+ +o4.5/5 Aug 2006 999ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D70s..........5/5 Apr 2005 899ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D70......+ +.... Jan 2004 999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Nikon D50 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the D50.

What type of imaging sensor is used in the Nikon D50?

The camera features a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) sensor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Nikon D50?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 1600.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Nikon D50?

Nikon mentions a shutter rating of 50 000 actuations for the D50. This number represents a Mean Time before Failure, that is an average value. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust the expected shutter life of the D50 over, say, three years, one would have to take about 50 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Nikon D50?

Nikon embeds the number of shutter actuations in image metadata. You can check the number of shots that your D50 has taken up to now by uploading a recent image to the free online shutter count finder app.

Does the Nikon D50 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Nikon D50 for flash photography?

The D50's flash sync speed is 1/500 sec.

Which battery does the Nikon D50 use?

The camera gets its power from the EN-EL3 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Is there a vertical grip available for the Nikon D50?

Nikon does not offer an optional battery grip, but third party suppliers do (see here on ebay).

Camera to camera comparisons

If you would like to see a side-by-side review with another camera, just make your choice using the following search menu. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Nikon D50
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date April 2005
    Launch Price USD 749
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CCD
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.7 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 370 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.4 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 6 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 3 008 x 2 000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 7.85 μm
    Pixel Density 1.63 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 1 600 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 55
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 20.9
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 10.8
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 560
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.50x
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Size 2.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 130k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 2.5 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy50 000 actuations
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SD cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support no
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi
    Body Specs
    Battery Type EN-EL3 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)400 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 133 x 102 x 76 mm
    (5.2 x 4.0 x 3.0 in)
    Camera Weight 620 g (21.9 oz)

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