Source: MiniDisc Wiki contributors · September 3, 2026 snapshot · CC BY 4.0, except where otherwise credited.
Attribution and changes
Adapted from “Sony MZ-R50”. Links, layout and file names normalized; missing database fields restored; remote embeds replaced with links. Manufacturer manuals and separately credited photographs retain their original attribution.
| Name | MZ-R50 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sony |
| Released | 1997/10 |
| Device type | portable |
| Recorder | Recorder |
| MDLP | No |
| NetMD | No |
| Hi-MD | No |
| Radio | No |
| Dimensions | 109.5 x 19.7 x 77mm |
| Weight | 190g (Body Only) 240g (With Batteries) |
| ATRAC ver | 4 |
| Battery | Not recorded LIP-8 |
| Battery notes | Not recorded |
| Sidecar (depr) | 2xAA |
| Voltage | 6 |
| Power cable | Center positive |
| Price (launch) | Not recorded |
| ¥48 000 | |
| - | |
| Inputs | 3.5mm line in (optical multi), 3.5mm microphone |
| Outputs | 3.5mm line out (analog-only), 3.5mm headphone |
| Control | Remote (Sony) |
Recorder with remote controller, and long battery life (for the time of its release, around 7 hours playback).
Available in silver, blue, and orange. The orange model was only sold in Japan. Released alongside the MZ-E25 and MZ-E35.
The included LCD remote (RM-MZR50) and its playback-only variant for the models released alongside it (RM-MZ35) were the first MD Walkman LCD remotes to use the "stick controller" design that became ubiquitous moving forward. The only difference between the two remotes is the addition of a "TRACK MARK" button on the RM-MZR50.
The remote for Sony's higher end CD Walkmans from the same time period(D-E01/D-EJ01) will function properly with the MZ-R50 including the backlight function.
Some older R50s have a flaw in them that apparently allows you to turn the digital copy protection feature (SCMS) off. By inserting a 24K resistor in to ports 2&4 (counting left to right) of the remote port, you can put the unit in to test mode, and access a menu that lets you turn off SCMS.
See Sony's R50 dodges SCMS via the Wayback Machine for more details
ATRAC Chip: CXD2652AR
Optical Pick-up Type KMS-280A
MD Machanism Type MT-MZR-50-143
Content adapted from: Minidisc.org MZ-R50 Page
Additional feature information from: Official Press Release (Archived) Official Press Release (Archived) (MiniDisc Wiki mirror)
Manuals
Photos
Additional specifications and references
| Web Md | No (not NetMD) |
|---|---|
| Export | No |
| Remote Page | |
| Atrac Ic | CXD2650R / CXD2652/R/AR |
| Manual | User manual, Service manual |
| Region | Japan |