I guess most of you are wanting to choose the best vlogging camera for yourself so you might bethinking between the Nikon Z50 VS Sony A6400 today Im comparing two mirrorless cameras under $1,000 for photographs and find out which one is right for you, or maybe you need to look for another camera for your needs.
So, today I’m going to discuss two models pinging it at 6400 and the Nikon Z50 they both are fighting a thousand dollars, and the most important thing is when you buy a camera the essential is a successful megapixels type of sensor, type of lens and speed Tauro FC.
When we compare both cameras A6400 and Z50 they are different in their size Nikon Z50 is much more economic than the Sony A6400.
I do want to make a quick note of differences I will talk about specs, features video quality, ease of use and the overall eco system.
Table of Contents
What are the Differences Between Nikon Z50 VS Sony A6400?
the Z50 has a larger grip than A6400, Z50 is taller because of the centrally placed electronic viewfinder, and the ISO is 100 to 32000 for A6400 and 51,200 for the Z50.
So, even in dark places with Z50, you can shoot brighter with a higher ISO, the Z50 is 397g, and the Alpha 6400 is 400g.
the A6400 has one more difference over Z50 it’s giving you two extra advantages, first, it opens the possibility to record with log and HDR gamma curves which gives you the best dynamic range sensor has to offer.
Second, giving you up set tilting screen so you can see yourself and make the video whereas the Z50 can use normal profiles.
What are the Similarities Between Nikon Z50 VS Sony A6400?
So, each has its own advantages and disadvantages, the continuous evaluation is the same for 11 shots, and the body design it’s relatively almost the same.
In terms of EVF they both have same resolution with 0.68, they both are buil in flash but if you don’t know a built-in flash gives you the worst image possible and same at of the burst rate with 11 fps.
Both give you 3.5 mm Mic Jack input but no headphone output, you can attach the tripod on both cameras, both are built-in flash, Wi-FI, and Bluetooth, and both cameras can record 4k up to 30 fps and Full HD up to 120 fps, you can adapt DSLR lenses on both cameras.
So it’s a little more comfortable to hold the Z50 than the A6400 but Z50 is a capable camera with almost identical specs and the same price range as A6400.
Body
the ergonomics the grip and the size of the camera so Sony A6400 is a pretty small camera as its a rangefinder camera and the grip is very shallow when you holding it.
the body of the Z50 fits pretty nicely in the hand the grip is also deeper you can hold the camera comfortably and you don’t have to worry that it’s gonna fall out of your hand.
Nikon Z50 is taller because of the centrally placed electronic viewfinder, the Z50 has a magnesium alloy body and is also dust and moisture-resistant, the A6400 is not weather-sealed.
Screen
When it comes to the LCD screen on the back Z50 and A6400 they are both tilting backs just like Fujifilm X-T4 but the Fujifilm is at 3.03 inches at 1.62 million dots. Nikon Z50 has 6.2 inch and 1.04 million dots, whereas Sony A6400 has a three-inch at 921,600 dots.
So, when it comes to the back LCD panel Fujifilm X-T4 has1.6 million dots in comparison to Z50 and A6400 if you want a larger screen the Nikon Z50 has a larger screen but less resolution that’s up to you and what you do.
In terms of screen comparison, you will find a touch LCD on both cameras A6400 is giving you 3.0″ in the screen so Nickon Z50 is giving you a bigger screen than Sony A6400.
EVF
In terms of the EVF looking through one of these cameras when you use a specific ISO, using a different shutter speed or if you’re changing the color right your profile you’re going to see the difference in that eye piece.
So, Nikon Z50 and A6400 have 2.36 million dots of resolution, whereas Fujifilm has 0.62 times magnification the Nikon Z50 is coming with 0.68 and 0.68 on the A6400 and they’re all basically the same.
So, in terms of the burst rate Fujifilm XT-4 excels a burst rate of 20 fps it’s a lot compared to Nikon Z50 at 11 frames and Sony A6400 at 11 frames.
Sensor
the A6400 has equipped with the 24.2 megapixels APS-C CMOS sensor and on the other hand, the Z50 comes with a 20.9 megapixel APS-C CMOS stack sensor which offers a faster sensor readout speed.
The difference between both here the Z50 has a slightly lower resolution sensor than A6400 but you’re not going to see any visible difference.
Autofocus
Sony A6400 has one of the best focusing systems in any aps-c camera both cameras is giving you real time IO to focus for humans and animals but with Z50 it is not as fast as Sony A6400.
Sony A6400 comes with a hybrid autofocus system of 425-point face detection and contrast detection, while Z50 includes a 209-point hybrid autofocus system including both phase and contrast detection, and sadly in this feature Z50 is lagging behind Sony.
If we compare both cameras we can see that A6400 and Z50 offer almost instant autofocus performance through Z50 has fewer autofocus points but performs just like the A6400.
Focus Points
When we compare the focusing speed for both cameras Sony A6400 is giving you 425 filter action focus points and 425 quantized direction focus points but Z50 is giving you 209 phase encounter Direction focus points.
Sony A6400 is giving you 0.02 seconds focusing speed on sony a stoker 400 and the Sony A6400 has one of the best focusing systems in any APS-C camera so the sony A6400 and sony A6100 is giving you more than double focus points.
Stabilization
So, the stabilization is holding well for both camera the Nikon Z50 performs much better into a stabilization when you compare to A6400 with the kit lens so I’m just referring to the optical VR in which both kit lens also have optical so when you are in the normal mode the Nikon Z50 it’s slightly better comparing to Sony A6400.
Image Quality
the image quality of both cameras additionally doesn’t include a low pass filter so you will get sharper-looking images right out of the camera.
Nikon Z50 capture 12 and 14-bit raw images, on the other hand, the A6400 is capable of shooting 14-bit raw and the results of both of these cameras are almost the same.
Both cameras are capable of capturing impressive images and videos Z50 has a lesser rolling shutter effect in comparison with A6400 has oversampled 4K videos and has impressive autofocus performance.
So, both cameras are capable of shooting high-quality images but the A6400 delivers bright-looking images and looks a little softer than the Z50.
On other hand, Z50 offers a sharper-looking image though not as brightly as the Sony A6000 the colors look much more realistic in the Z50 and the skin tone looks more natural like the sony A6400.
Video Features
When it comes to video features no recording time for A6400 just like Sony A6600 and A6400 ever in 4k video bypassing the 30 minutes limitation.
Both cameras can record 4k up to 30 fps and Full HD up to 120 fps but the Sony A6400 gives you our sample 4k video from 6k.
the A6400 has the possibility to record with log and HDR gamma curves which gives you the best dynamic range sensor whereas with the Z50 you can use normal profiles designed for Stills.
Both cameras give you up set tilting screen so you can see your self and make the video and even you can attach a tripod on both cameras but in with the Z50 it is difficult to use the tripod and use the screen in the same situation because in Z50 screen moves on the downside.
The Sony A6400 has a readout speed of about 31milliseconds shooting in 4K 30fps videos, in comparison the Z50 offers a well-controlled rolling shutter effect the readout speed is about 20milliseconds.
So, the increased resolution and slower readout speed caused significant rolling shutter issues in the sony A6400.
Internal Recording
When it comes to internal recording of video Z50 and A6400 they both will do 4K, just like X-T4, they both have a lot more dynamic range to be able to do color correction or color grading in post-production.
But there’s no log on the Nikon Z50 you won’t be able to get that extra little bit for post production whereas the A6400 it does provide s-log that’s only an 8-bit. In comparison X-T4 it gives you log with that 8-bit internal or f-log if you want to go 10-bit through the hdmi cable externally.
Ports
When it comes to ports comparison the Nikon Z50 and the Sony A6400 they only give you a mic in they do not allow you to listen to the audio, you basically can only go by what the sound looks like on the back of the camera.
When it comes to mics and headphones Fujifilm gives you both mics and headphones now of course that is through their adapter so that you can use both headphones as well as a mic.
Storage
In terms of the card slots Z50 and A6400 both have UHS-I even Fujifilm X-T4 has only UHS-I so if you want camera with same price like Z50 and A6400 that providing UHS-II you can go with Canon M6 Mark II.
Battery
When it comes to the battery life Nikon Z50 has EN-EL25 type of battery with 320 shoots whereas A6400 has NP-FW50 with 410.
Weight
When it comes to weight Nikon Z50 is 400g whereas A6400 is 450g so if you are looking a lightest camera the fujifilm X-T4 is 365g its the lightest compared to the Z50 and A6400.
Price
the Z50 is priced in the middle range its coming at $850 on Adorama and A6400 is the highest in price at $900 on BH Photo whereas the previous version Sony A6000 is the cheapest one.
If you’d like to get either of these cameras there are links below or if you want to check the prices from different places I have full reviews of both cameras you will find links in the content.
So, overall that’s a weakness in both of these cameras in this price range but there are cameras like the Panasonic GH5 and Fujifilm X-T3 which can both do internal 4k at 10 bit and 4 to 2.
Which Camera Takes Better Photos?
the image quality actually look I think both actually looked pretty good the colors coming out of the Z50 looks more the skin tones like the Nikon Z6 whereas the A6400 isn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination and could be used perfectly well but it it doesn’t have the easy to get warm skin tones that the Nikon Z50 can.
So, there is one popint where Z50 fall behind though in the picture profile you do have to be wary of the standard picture profille all of the footage with Z50 is in the standard picture profile with the contrast turned all the way down because it is aggressive.
Why You Should Buy Sony A6400 Over Nikon Z50?
- So, the first reason to buy A6400 is that Nikon is a new APS-C mirrorless camera is not giving you a selection of lenses whereas Sony A6400 is giving you a selection of lenses and focusing speed. The Nikon Z50 has a 30 minute recording limit while the A6400 does not.
- And second reason the screen on the Z50 is moving at the downside which makes it difficult to use the tripod, also the mount is bigger so the lenses can be bigger and the camera can become bigger because of the size of the mount just like the Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z7 which are bigger for a medium format camera.
Why You Should Buy Nikon Z50 instead of Sony A6400?
- I think Z50 might work better for you than the Sony A6400 even A6400 is a great for video there were a few things that I didn’t like about it.
- the second thing is the menus so a lot of people complain about the Sony menus on the Sony 6400 when you go back and forth between the manual mode which is the stills mode and the video mode right you set your settings for the manual mode which is the stills mode. And then go to the video mode it doesn’t remember those settings back and forth so everytime you have to adjust those settings.
- So, if you’re shooting it 150th of a second video and 1/100 of a second for stills and obviously it changing as well if you’re shooting in manual ISO. So every time you switch you have to adjust between those settings and that Is witch between manual stills mode and video mode a lot.
- So, every time I would have to adjust those settings back and forth back and forth on the Nikon Z50 you have it you have the switch right between the stills mode and in the video mode.
- And once you set your settings for the stills mode and you go to the video mode when you comeback to the stills mode it remembers your settings for the stills and it remembers your settings for the video so you can just turn that switch back and forth and you’re ready to go you don’t have to change any settings.
- So, another reason why Z50 is better than the Sony A6400 and why it works better is the desigh that it gives you its a little bit better than A6400. And what I don’t like on A6400 I found that I tweaked too much in post lose to get that desired cinematic look whereas with the Z50 I don’t have to spend that much time tweaking to get that great cinematic look.
Conclusion
So, you know it doesn’t really matter which one you buy you’re gonna get great video and great photographs from in any of these cameras.
Release date | 22 November 2019 | 8 November 2019 |
Body Type | SLR Style Mirrorless | SLR Style Mirrorless |
Sensor type | APS-C CMOS | APS-C CMOS |
Sensor pixels | 20.9 | 24.2 |
Sensor resolution | 5568 x 3712 | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor size | 23.5 x 15.7 mm | 23.5 x 15.6 mm |
Lens mount | Z Mount | Sony E |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5x | 1.5x |
Screen type | Articulated Tilting touchscreen | Articulated Tilting touchscreen |
Screen size | 3.2″ | 3.0″ |
Screen resolution | 1,040,000 dots | 921,600 dots |
Processor | Expeed 6 | Bionz X |
Color Filter Array | Primary Color Filter | Primary Color Filter |
ISO | Auto 100-51200 Expandable to 204800 | Auto 100-32000 Expandable 102400 |
Image Stabilization | NO | NO |
Focus type | Auto & Manual | Auto & Manual |
Focus points | 209 | 425 |
Manual Focus | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Elecgtronic HGA Oled | Elecgtronic Oled |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2,360,000 | 2,359,296 |
Viewfinder Magnification | 1.02x | 1.07x |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Shutter Type | Electronic Controlled Focal Plane | Electronic Controlled Focal Plane |
Shutter speed | Min 30 Max 1/4000 | Min 30 Max 1/4000 |
Continuous shooting | 11fps | 11fps |
Build in Flash | Yes | Yes |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Sync Speed | 1/200 sec | 1/160 sec |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, steps | +/- 5 at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, steps |
AE Bracketing | +/- 5 (2,3,5,7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps | +/- 5 (3,5, frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps |
WB Bracketing | Yes | Yes |
Video resolution | 4K 30 Full HD 120 | 4K 30 Full HD 120 |
Log Gamma | N Log | S Log2, S Log3, HLG |
Video format | MPEG 4, H.264 | MPEG 4, AVCHD, X AVCS |
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II | SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I MS Pro Duo Pro HG Duo M2 |
Connectivity | USB 2.0 480 MBit/sec | USB 2.0 480 MBit/sec |
Ports | HDMI Microphone | HDMI Microphone |
Wireless Transmitter | 802.11b/g/n/ac 5 GHz | 802.11b/g/n/ 2.4 GHz |
Build in Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
NFC | NO | Yes |
Battery Type | EN-EL25 | NP-FW50 |
Battery Life | 320 | 410 |
Tracking | Face, Eye | Face, Eye |
External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
Weather sealing | Yes | Yes |
Image format | JPEG, RAW | JPEG, RAW |
External recording | 8 bit UHD 4K | 8 bit UHD 4K |
Image stabilization | Digital Only Video | NO |
Weight | 397g | 403g |
Dimensions | 127 x 94 x 60 mm | 120 x 67 x 60 mm |
Which Camera is Better Nikon Z50 OR Sony A6400?
In terms of performance features Z50 is better than the A6400, it has a lot of choices Z50 can also use Canon lens lenses using an adapter, like the Tamron, cocina, Sigma, and others, that can be attached to the body of the Nikon Z50.
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