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With nearly pro-level specs, AI-driven autofocus, and creative color tools, the Nikon Z5 II (properly named the Nikon z 5 II) bridges the gap between entry-level and prosumer cameras. Imagine packing the brains of a Nikon Z8 into a body the size of a Z6 III and with features that rival any other entry-level mirrorless camera today. This is what Nikon is introducing to the world today with its newest camera, the Nikon Z5 II.
The Nikon Z5 II
It’s clearly aimed at photographers wanting to take their first steps into mirrorless photography, but the Z5 II is also a substantial upgrade for current owners of the Nikon Z5 (launched nearly four years ago). With its plethora of features, many of which are usually found in prosumer or higher-skilled-level cameras, the Nikon Z5 II looks to redefine what an intermediate-level camera should be like. It looked to be billed as a gateway to pro performance for enthusiasts and hybrid shooters.
“The benefits of the Z5II go far beyond its attainable price and small size, offering users the benefits of our most advanced EXPEED 7 processing engine, a proven full-frame sensor along with unexpected pro-level features and performance. This is the camera many people have been waiting for in order to make the move to mirrorless, since nothing comes close to matching the value of features and performance in its class.”
– Fumiko Kawabata, Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Planning, Nikon Inc.
AF-A Focus Mode
In a first for full-frame mirrorless Nikon cameras, the Z5 II comes with an AF-A autofocus mode. I assume this could be one of the AI features that this camera sports. When this setting is on, the camera switches automatically between AF-S and AF-C focus modes. This dynamic response to subject movement or changes in composition with still shooting can be of great help when focusing on erratically moving subjects.
3D-tracking AF mode
Definitely missed in the Nikon Z5, the new Z5 II sports the much-loved 3D tracking autofocus option. This supremely useful mode is useful for photographing sports and snapping most fast-moving subjects.
Up to 30fps in Stills
No subject is too fast, with the Nikon Z5 II giving you 14 frames per second (even my then class-leading Nikon D4 from a decade ago maxed out at 10) when in mechanical shutter mode. Switch to electronic shutter, and you get 15 and 30 fps with full autofocus.
Pre-release Capture
Usually reserved for the top-tier pro bodies only, the Nikon Z5 II allows you to capture images to your card even before you click the shutter.
Picture Controls
The dedicated Picture Controls button on the top of the Z5 II gives users one-touch access to switching picture profiles. This is very handy for photographers who enjoy downloading Picture Controls from Nikon’s own website to get creative-looking pictures in-camera.
Other Handy Features
- Bird Detection Autofocus
- Pixel Shift Shooting
- 4K/30 UHD video, with no crop and 4K/60 with a 1.5x crop
- In-camera 12-bit N-RAW recording
- Hi-Res Zoo. This used 4K resolution to zoom up to 2X in-camera (handy when shooting with prime lenses) during Full HD shooting
Who Should Buy The Nikon Z5 II
At a recommended retail price point of USD 1699 (body only), the Z5 II is considerably cheaper than the Z6 III, which would have been the step up for Z5 owners until today. Many features from the Z6 III have trickled down to the Z5 II, making it a very attractive proposition for Nikon enthusiasts who might have found the Z6 III a bit out of reach.
Tech Specs Comparison
| Feature | Nikon Z5 | Nikon Z5 II (New) | Nikon Z6 III |
| Sensor | 24MP Full-Frame CMOS | 24.5MP BSI Full-Frame CMOS | 24.5MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Processor | EXPEED 6 | EXPEED 7 | EXPEED 7 |
| AF System | 273-point AF | 299-point AF | 299-point Hybrid AF |
| Burst Speed | 4.5 fps (Mech.) | 14 fps (Mech.) / 30 fps (Elec.) | Up to 120 fps (electronic shutter) |
| Video | 4K/30p (1.7x crop) | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (1.5x crop). FHD/120p | 6K/60p (N-RAW), 4K/120p |
| ISO Range | 100–51,200 (Exp. 50–102,400) | 100–64,000 (Exp. 50- 204800) | 100–64,000 (Exp. 50–204,800) |
| Viewfinder | 3.69M-dot OLED | 3.69M-dot OLED | 5.76M-dot OLED (120Hz refresh) |
| LCD Screen | 3.2″ Tilting Touch | 3.2” Vari-angle TFT touch-sensitive LCD | 3.2” Vari-angle TFT touch-sensitive LCD |
| Pre-Release Capture | N/A | 1 second buffer | 1 second buffer |
| Weight | 590 g/1 lb. 4.9 oz (body only) | 620 g/1 lb. 5.9 oz. (body only) | 670 g/1 lb. 7.7 oz. (camera body only) |
Stay tuned for our detailed review coming up in some weeks. Sample images taken with the Nikon Z5 II can be seen below:
All information and images seen in this article were provided to us by our Nikon reps
