Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-5
The Nikon Z50 and the Olympus E-5 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in October 2019 and September 2010. The Z50 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the E-5 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on an APS-C (Z50) and a Four Thirds (E-5) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 20.7 megapixels, whereas the Olympus provides 12.2 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon Z50 and the Olympus E-5? 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 physical size and weight of the Nikon Z50 and the Olympus E-5 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Olympus E-5 is notably larger (39 percent) than the Nikon Z50. Moreover, the E-5 is substantially heavier (94 percent) than the Z50. 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 since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.
Concerning battery life, the Z50 gets 320 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL25 battery, while the E-5 can take 750 images on a single charge of its Olympus BLM-5 power pack. The power pack in the Z50 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Nikon Z50 | 127 mm | 94 mm | 60 mm | 450 g | 320 | Y | Oct 2019 | 859 | amazon.com | |
2. | Olympus E-5 | 142 mm | 117 mm | 75 mm | 873 g | 750 | Y | Sep 2010 | 1,699 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon M50 | 116 mm | 88 mm | 59 mm | 390 g | 235 | n | Feb 2018 | 779 | ebay.com | |
4. | Fujifilm X-T3 | 133 mm | 93 mm | 59 mm | 539 g | 390 | Y | Sep 2018 | 1,499 | ebay.com | |
5. | Nikon D3500 | 124 mm | 97 mm | 70 mm | 415 g | 1550 | n | Aug 2018 | 429 | ebay.com | |
6. | Nikon D5300 | 125 mm | 98 mm | 76 mm | 480 g | 600 | n | Oct 2013 | 799 | ebay.com | |
7. | Nikon D5500 | 124 mm | 97 mm | 70 mm | 470 g | 820 | n | Jan 2015 | 899 | ebay.com | |
8. | Nikon Z30 | 128 mm | 74 mm | 60 mm | 405 g | 330 | Y | Jun 2022 | 709 | amazon.com | |
9. | Nikon Z fc | 135 mm | 94 mm | 44 mm | 445 g | 300 | n | Jun 2021 | 959 | amazon.com | |
10. | Olympus E-1 | 141 mm | 104 mm | 81 mm | 738 g | 750 | Y | Jun 2003 | 1,699 | ebay.com | |
11. | Olympus E-3 | 142 mm | 116 mm | 75 mm | 876 g | 750 | Y | Oct 2007 | 1,699 | ebay.com | |
12. | Olympus E-30 | 142 mm | 108 mm | 75 mm | 701 g | 750 | n | Nov 2008 | 1,299 | ebay.com | |
13. | Olympus E-510 | 136 mm | 92 mm | 68 mm | 538 g | 750 | n | Mar 2007 | 799 | ebay.com | |
14. | Olympus E-520 | 136 mm | 92 mm | 68 mm | 535 g | 750 | n | May 2008 | 699 | ebay.com | |
15. | Sony A6100 | 120 mm | 67 mm | 59 mm | 396 g | 420 | n | Aug 2019 | 749 | ebay.com | |
16. | Sony A6300 | 120 mm | 67 mm | 49 mm | 404 g | 400 | Y | Feb 2016 | 999 | ebay.com | |
17. | Sony A6400 | 120 mm | 67 mm | 50 mm | 403 g | 410 | Y | Jan 2019 | 899 | amazon.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The Z50 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 49 percent) than the E-5, which puts it into a different market segment. 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 imaging sensor is a crucial determinant 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. 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 tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon Z50 features an APS-C sensor and the Olympus E-5 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the E-5 is 39 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 2.0. The sensor in the Z50 has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the E-5 offers a 4:3 aspect.
With 20.7MP, the Z50 offers a higher resolution than the E-5 (12.2MP), but the Z50 has marginally smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.22μm versus 4.29μm for the E-5). However, the Z50 is a much more recent model (by 9 years) than the E-5, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the Z50 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.
The resolution advantage of the Nikon Z50 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the Z50 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 27.8 x 18.6 inches or 70.7 x 47.1 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 22.3 x 14.8 inches or 56.6 x 37.7 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.6 x 12.4 inches or 47.1 x 31.4 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus E-5 are 20.2 x 15.1 inches or 51.2 x 38.4 cm for good quality, 16.1 x 12.1 inches or 41 x 30.7 cm for very good quality, and 13.4 x 10.1 inches or 34.1 x 25.6 cm for excellent quality prints.
The Z50 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.
The Nikon Z50 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 51200, which can be extended to ISO 100-204800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Olympus E-5 are ISO 100 to ISO 6400 (no boost).
Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.
Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Nikon Z50 | APS-C | 20.7 | 5568 | 3712 | 4K/30p | 24.1 | 13.6 | 1963 | 84 | |
2. | Olympus E-5 | Four Thirds | 12.2 | 4032 | 3024 | 720/30p | 21.6 | 10.5 | 519 | 56 | |
3. | Canon M50 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/24p | 23.8 | 13.3 | 1684 | 81 | |
4. | Fujifilm X-T3 | APS-C | 26.0 | 6240 | 4160 | 4K/60p | 24.0 | 13.4 | 1853 | 83 | |
5. | Nikon D3500 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.0 | 13.4 | 1851 | 83 | |
6. | Nikon D5300 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.0 | 13.9 | 1338 | 83 | |
7. | Nikon D5500 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.1 | 14.0 | 1438 | 84 | |
8. | Nikon Z30 | APS-C | 20.7 | 5568 | 3712 | 4K/30p | 24.3 | 13.9 | 2230 | 86 | |
9. | Nikon Z fc | APS-C | 20.7 | 5568 | 3712 | 4K/30p | 24.2 | 13.8 | 2131 | 85 | |
10. | Olympus E-1 | Four Thirds | 4.9 | 2560 | 1920 | none | 20.0 | 9.7 | -145 | 44 | |
11. | Olympus E-3 | Four Thirds | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | none | 21.6 | 10.5 | 571 | 56 | |
12. | Olympus E-30 | Four Thirds | 12.2 | 4032 | 3024 | none | 21.3 | 10.4 | 530 | 55 | |
13. | Olympus E-510 | Four Thirds | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | none | 21.2 | 10.0 | 442 | 52 | |
14. | Olympus E-520 | Four Thirds | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | none | 21.4 | 10.4 | 548 | 55 | |
15. | Sony A6100 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 24.1 | 13.6 | 1947 | 84 | |
16. | Sony A6300 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 24.4 | 13.7 | 1437 | 85 | |
17. | Sony A6400 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 24.0 | 13.6 | 1431 | 83 | |
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 can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the Z50 provides a higher video resolution than the E-5. It can shoot video footage at 4K/30p, while the Olympus is limited to 720/30p.
Feature comparison
Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the Z50 has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the E-5 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the Z50 has a higher magnification than the one of the E-5 (0.68x vs 0.58x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Nikon Z50 and Olympus E-5 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.
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 Z50 | 2360 | n | 3.2 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 11.0/s | Y | n | |
2. | Olympus E-5 | optical | Y | 3.0 / 920 | swivel | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | Y | Y | |
3. | Canon M50 | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 10.0/s | Y | n | |
4. | Fujifilm X-T3 | 3690 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | full-flex | Y | 1/8000s | 11.0/s | n | n | |
5. | Nikon D3500 | optical | n | 3.0 / 921 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
6. | Nikon D5300 | optical | n | 3.2 / 1037 | swivel | n | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
7. | Nikon D5500 | optical | n | 3.2 / 1037 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
8. | Nikon Z30 | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 11.0/s | Y | n | |
9. | Nikon Z fc | 2360 | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 11.0/s | n | n | |
10. | Olympus E-1 | optical | Y | 1.8 / 134 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | n | n | |
11. | Olympus E-3 | optical | Y | 2.5 / 230 | swivel | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | Y | Y | |
12. | Olympus E-30 | optical | Y | 2.7 / 230 | swivel | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | Y | Y | |
13. | Olympus E-510 | optical | n | 2.5 / 215 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | Y | |
14. | Olympus E-520 | optical | n | 2.7 / 215 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.5/s | Y | Y | |
15. | Sony A6100 | 1440 | n | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 11.0/s | Y | n | |
16. | Sony A6300 | 2359 | n | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 11.0/s | Y | n | |
17. | Sony A6400 | 2359 | n | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 11.0/s | Y | n | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The Z50 has a touchscreen, while the E-5 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.
Both cameras have an articulated rear screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This feature will be particularly appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies.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, the Z50 is one of those camera that have an additional 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 Nikon Z50 has 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.
The Z50 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the E-5 uses Compact Flash or xD Picture cards. The E-5 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the Z50 only has one slot.
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 Nikon Z50 and Olympus E-5 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Nikon Z50 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
2. | Olympus E-5 | Y | stereo / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
3. | Canon M50 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
4. | Fujifilm X-T3 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
5. | Nikon D3500 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | Y | |
6. | Nikon D5300 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
7. | Nikon D5500 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
8. | Nikon Z30 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
9. | Nikon Z fc | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
10. | Olympus E-1 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
11. | Olympus E-3 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
12. | Olympus E-30 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
13. | Olympus E-510 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
14. | Olympus E-520 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
15. | Sony A6100 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
16. | Sony A6300 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
17. | Sony A6400 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y |
It is notable that the Z50 has a microphone port, which is missing on the E-5. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.
Studio photographers will appreciate that the Olympus E-5 (unlike the Z50) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.
The Z50 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Nikon. In contrast, the E-5 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the E-5 from Olympus. Further information on the features and operation of the Z50 and E-5 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon Z50 Manual (free pdf) or the online Olympus E-5 Manual.
Review summary
So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Nikon Z50 better than the Olympus E-5 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.
Advantages of the Nikon Z50:
- More detail: Offers more megapixels (20.7 vs 12.2MP) with a 33% higher linear resolution.
- Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
- Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
- Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
- More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
- Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
- Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 720/30p).
- Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
- Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
- More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
- Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.68x vs 0.58x).
- Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 920k dots).
- Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (11 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
- Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
- More compact: Is smaller (127x94mm vs 142x117mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
- Less heavy: Is lighter (by 423g or 48 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
- Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
- More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
- Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
- Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
- More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (49 percent cheaper at launch).
- More modern: Reflects 9 years of technical progress since the E-5 launch.
Arguments in favor of the Olympus E-5:
- Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
- Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
- Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
- More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
- Longer lasting: Gets more shots (750 versus 320) out of a single battery charge.
- Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
- Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
- Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
- More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in September 2010).
If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the Z50 is the clear winner of the match-up (25 : 10 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 wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro 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 Nikon Z50 and the Olympus E-5 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the Z50 or the E-5 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 why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera 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.
Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Nikon Z50 | 5/5 | .. | 5/5 | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2019 | 859 | amazon.com | |
2. | Olympus E-5 | 4/5 | .. | .. | 75/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2010 | 1,699 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon M50 | .. | + | 4/5 | 79/100 | .. | 3.5/5 | Feb 2018 | 779 | ebay.com | |
4. | Fujifilm X-T3 | 5/5 | + + | 4.5/5 | 88/100 | 5/5 | 5/5 | Sep 2018 | 1,499 | ebay.com | |
5. | Nikon D3500 | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | 75/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2018 | 429 | ebay.com | |
6. | Nikon D5300 | 4/5 | + + | .. | 79/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2013 | 799 | ebay.com | |
7. | Nikon D5500 | 5/5 | + | .. | 79/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2015 | 899 | ebay.com | |
8. | Nikon Z30 | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | 86/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Jun 2022 | 709 | amazon.com | |
9. | Nikon Z fc | 4/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 86/100 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2021 | 959 | amazon.com | |
10. | Olympus E-1 | .. | .. | .. | + | o | .. | Jun 2003 | 1,699 | ebay.com | |
11. | Olympus E-3 | .. | 88/100 | .. | + + | o | 4/5 | Oct 2007 | 1,699 | ebay.com | |
12. | Olympus E-30 | .. | .. | .. | 71/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Nov 2008 | 1,299 | ebay.com | |
13. | Olympus E-510 | .. | 89/100 | .. | + + | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Mar 2007 | 799 | ebay.com | |
14. | Olympus E-520 | .. | 87/100 | .. | + + | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | May 2008 | 699 | ebay.com | |
15. | Sony A6100 | .. | .. | 4/5 | 82/100 | 4/5 | 5/5 | Aug 2019 | 749 | ebay.com | |
16. | Sony A6300 | 4.5/5 | + | .. | 85/100 | 5/5 | 5/5 | Feb 2016 | 999 | ebay.com | |
17. | Sony A6400 | 4/5 | + | 4/5 | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Jan 2019 | 899 | amazon.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. 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. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.
Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
- Canon 4000D vs Nikon Z50
- Nikon 1 J5 vs Nikon Z50
- Nikon B500 vs Olympus E-5
- Nikon D5300 vs Nikon Z50
- Nikon D780 vs Olympus E-5
- Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic FZ300
- Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic GM5
- Nikon Z50 vs Sony HX350
- Olympus E-330 vs Olympus E-5
- Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic LX100 II
- Olympus E-5 vs Sony A850
- Olympus E-5 vs Sony A900
Specifications: Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-5
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
Camera Model | Nikon Z50 | Olympus E-5 |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | Digital single lens reflex |
Camera Lens | Four Thirds lenses | |
Launch Date | October 2019 | September 2010 |
Launch Price | USD 859 | USD 1,699 |
Sensor Specs | Nikon Z50 | Olympus E-5 |
Sensor Technology | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | Four Thirds Sensor |
Sensor Size | 23.5 x 15.7 mm | 17.3 x 13.0 mm |
Sensor Area | 368.95 mm2 | 224.9 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 28.3 mm | 21.6 mm |
Crop Factor | 1.5x | 2.0x |
Sensor Resolution | 20.7 Megapixels | 12.2 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 5568 x 3712 pixels | 4032 x 3024 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 4.22 μm | 4.29 μm |
Pixel Density | 5.60 MP/cm2 | 5.42 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | no AA filter | Anti-Alias filter |
Movie Capability | 4K/30p Video | 720/30p Video |
ISO Setting | 100 - 51,200 ISO | 100 - 6,400 ISO |
ISO Boost | 100 - 204,800 ISO | no Enhancement |
Image Processor | EXPEED 6 | TruePic V+ |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | .. | 56 |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | .. | 21.6 |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | .. | 10.5 |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | .. | 519 |
Screen Specs | Nikon Z50 | Olympus E-5 |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | Optical viewfinder |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.68x | 0.58x |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2360k dots | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | Control Panel |
LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
Rear LCD Size | 3.2inch | 3.0inch |
LCD Resolution | 1040k dots | 920k dots |
LCD Attachment | Tilting screen | Swivel screen |
Touch Input | Touchscreen | no Touchscreen |
Shooting Specs | Nikon Z50 | Olympus E-5 |
Focus System | On-Sensor Phase-detect | Phase-detect AF |
Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | no Peaking Feature |
Continuous Shooting | 11 shutter flaps/s | 5 shutter flaps/s |
Electronic Shutter | up to 1/4000s | no E-Shutter |
Time-Lapse Photography | Intervalometer built-in | no Intervalometer |
Image Stabilization | Lens stabilization only | In-body stabilization |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | Built-in Flash |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | CF or XD cards |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | Dual card slots |
Connectivity Specs | Nikon Z50 | Olympus E-5 |
External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
Studio Flash | no PC Sync | PC Sync socket |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
HDMI Port | micro HDMI | mini HDMI |
Microphone Port | External MIC port | no MIC socket |
Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | no Wifi |
Bluetooth Support | Bluetooth built-in | no Bluetooth |
Body Specs | Nikon Z50 | Olympus E-5 |
Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | Weathersealed body |
Battery Type | Nikon EN-EL25 | Olympus BLM-5 |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 320 shots per charge | 750 shots per charge |
In-Camera Charging | USB charging | no USB charging |
Body Dimensions |
127 x 94 x 60 mm (5.0 x 3.7 x 2.4 in) |
142 x 117 x 75 mm (5.6 x 4.6 x 3.0 in) |
Camera Weight | 450 g (15.9 oz) | 873 g (30.8 oz) |
Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.