Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro vs Nikon D50 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Fujifilm · DSLR · 6.1 MP · APS-C
Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro
36
WINNER
|
Nikon · DSLR · 6 MP · APS-C
Nikon D50
28
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro and the Nikon D50 are both APS-C DSLRs built around the Nikon F DX mount, so the same F-mount lenses fit either body and the choice comes down to the body itself. The D50, from 2005, is the lighter and more compact carry at 620 g and 133 x 102 x 76 mm, against 920 g and 147 x 113 x 74 mm for the 2006 S5 Pro, leaving a 300 g weight gap between the two bodies. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2006 | 2005 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 25, 2006 | April 20, 2005 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 147 x 113 x 74 mm | 133 x 102 x 76 mm |
| Camera weight | 920 g | 620 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe S5 Pro is the stronger body for photographing moving subjects. It shoots at 5.5 frames per second against 2.5 on the D50, capturing more frames in each burst, and its 11 autofocus points give more placement options than the D50's 5 for tracking a runner, a pet or a dancing child. Its 1/8000 second top shutter speed also permits a shorter exposure than the D50's 1/4000, helpful for shooting wide apertures in bright sunlight. The S5 Pro offers settings up to 3200 ISO where the D50 stops at 1600, and its viewfinder uses a pentaprism rather than a pentamirror. Resolution is effectively matched at 6.1 versus 6 megapixels, so neither gives more cropping room, and both leave out in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
6.1 MP050 | 6 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4256 x 2848 | 3008 x 2000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
super CCD | CCD |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
16 x 23 | 16 x 24 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5.5 fps045 | 2.5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F DX | Nikon F DX |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Real Photo Processor Pro | Nikon Image processing engine |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 50300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, and neither offers a built-in timelapse mode. Anyone who wants movie clips or in-camera interval shooting alongside stills should look beyond these two DSLRs. Stills-only photographers lose nothing by either choice here. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 17/100 | 10/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe S5 Pro's rear screen is the more useful tool for checking results in the field. It measures 2.5 inches with 230,000 dots, against 2 inches and 130,000 dots on the D50, so confirming sharp eyes in a portrait or fine detail in a landscape review is easier on the larger, finer display. The D50 offers wireless connectivity that the S5 Pro lacks, allowing image transfer without a cable. Both include a built-in flash and support for external flash units, which keeps indoor portraits and fill light simple on either body. Neither has GPS, weather sealing, live view, a tilting screen or touch control. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.5" | 2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 1300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
✗ | ✗ |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 51/100 | 51/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryCard format is the practical split: the S5 Pro takes CompactFlash Type I or II cards, while the D50 uses SD, so cards you already own may settle the question. Both carry a single slot. The S5 Pro's NP-150 battery is rated at 2438 shots against 2000 for the D50's EN-EL3, and neither body charges over USB, so both need a mains or external charger. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | NP-150 | EN-EL3 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
2438 shots1505000 | 2000 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the S5 Pro if you photograph action, dim interiors or bright-day portraits at wide apertures. Its faster burst, broader autofocus coverage, higher ISO settings, faster top shutter speed and larger review screen all serve those situations directly. The D50 is the better companion for travel and everyday carry, weighing 300 g less, running on smaller SD cards and offering wireless transfer. Since both share the Nikon F DX mount, moving between them later costs only the body, not the lenses.