0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3-0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3TiO3) nanopowders were synthesized at very low temperature using a soft chemical approach. The synthesized powders and the consolidated disks were structurally characterized thoroughly by XRD, SEM, TEM and EPMA and also by ultraviolet and Raman spectroscopy. The 1350 °Csintered BZT-BCT disk displayed the highest density, underwent diffused phase transition centered at ∼100 °Cand showed the highest dielectric constant (8917) and lowest dielectric loss (0.015). The sintered BZT-BCT sample with the highest density showed a maximum polarization (Pmax) of 13 μCcm-2 and remnant polarization of 6 μCcm-2. The same sample exhibited very high electrostrain of ∼0.12% under a relatively low electrical field of 3.5 kVm m-1. © 2016 IOP Publishing Ltd.