Nikon simply introduced their latest mirrorless digital camera – an replace to the Nikon Z5 known as the Z5 II! This new digital camera raises the bar of efficiency and successfully matches the Nikon Zf in options. That mentioned, the value has gone up, too: the unique Z5 was $1400 at launch, whereas the Z5 II is $1700.
A few of the headline options of the Nikon Z5 II are as follows:
- 24 MP BSI sensor (borrowed from the Z6 II and Zf)
- 14 FPS digital, 11 FPS mechanical uncooked taking pictures (up from 4.5 FPS on the unique Z5)
- 30 FPS JPEGs with pre-release burst
- Considerably improved autofocus with recognition of 9 topic varieties (together with birds)
- Excessive decision sensor shift mode as much as 96 megapixels
- 4K 60p video (with 1.5x crop) or 4K 30p (no added crop)
- 10 bit N-Uncooked video
- Voice memo characteristic
- IBIS system rated to 7.5 stops (solely 0.5 lower than the Nikon Zf and Z6 III)
- Absolutely articulating LCD
- New devoted Image Management button
- In any other case very comparable form and weight because the Z5
That’s a ton of enhancements over the unique Nikon Z5! Granted, the Z5 was introduced in July of 2020, so we’re arising on 5 years between these two releases. Besides, it’s positioned greater within the lineup than the unique Z5 was on the time. The truth is, these specs are in keeping with these of the Nikon Zf – it’s lacking little or no from that digital camera besides the retro construct high quality – and may’t actually be known as “entry-level full-frame” any extra. Fairly spectacular!
In fact, the brand new $1700 value might delay some photographers who had been hoping for a renewal of the Z5’s $1400 MSRP. However given all the brand new options of the Z5 II – to not point out the very totally different financial local weather immediately – such hopes had been doubtless doomed from the beginning. Not less than there are some nice Nikon cameras within the sub-$1700 vary if you’re on a funds, together with the Z5, the Z6 II, and the Z50 II, every with their very own professionals and cons.
And I’d wish to be clear, I’m nonetheless a fan of the unique Nikon Z5, particularly provided that it typically goes on sale for $1000 today. At that value, it nonetheless holds up nicely in opposition to any opponents. However it does really feel somewhat misplaced in Nikon’s present lineup, particularly with the gradual 4.5 FPS fee and older autofocus system. The brand new Z5 II brings this a part of Nikon’s line to present requirements after which some.
At this level, most of Nikon’s lineup is trying refreshed because of gaining the corporate’s latest autofocus and monitoring capabilities. All of it started with the Nikon Z9, adopted by the Z8, Zf, Z6 III, Z50 II, and now the Z5 II. Amongst full-frame cameras, that solely leaves the Nikon Z7 collection trying somewhat out-of-date. Hopefully we see a refresh of that line sooner or later – or possibly Nikon is planning to skip it and go straight to the Z9 successor with their subsequent FX digital camera? We’ll should see.
However again to the Nikon Z5 II. This new digital camera appears to have a number of promise on paper, and I’m inspired that it’s so just like the Nikon Zf however prices $300 much less (although we have seen the Nikon Zf on sale as little as $1800). Some photographers will nonetheless desire the retro controls of the Zf, however should you don’t, I’d simply get the Z5 II at this level – pending checks to point out that it lives as much as its promise!
Nikon says that the Z5 II will ship later this month (with B&H saying April 24). You may pre-order it on the hyperlinks beneath, and in doing so, assist Pictures Life at no further price to you:
With the Nikon Z5 II, Nikon can also be together with a one yr subscription to Adobe Lightroom. It doesn’t matter what retailer you utilize to purchase the digital camera so long as it’s an official channel; after receiving your digital camera, you redeem the free yr instantly on Nikon’s web site.
Extra Product Pictures
Official Pattern Pictures (with EXIF Information When Offered!)
Press Launch
Nikon releases the Z5II full-frame mirrorless digital camera
Attaining the identical superior efficiency as high-end fashions, with better responsiveness in darkish scenes and improved capability to seize sudden motion
April 3, 2025
TOKYO – Nikon Company (Nikon) is happy to announce the discharge of the full-frame/FX-format Nikon Z5II mirrorless digital camera for which the Nikon Z mount has been adopted.
The Z5II inherits the superior taking pictures features and efficiency of high-end Nikon cameras whereas providing an excellent better capability to reply to all kinds of darkish or dimly lit scenes and conditions. Outfitted with the identical EXPEED 7 image-processing engine because the Nikon Z9, the flagship mannequin of the Nikon Z collection, and the Nikon Z8, it additionally provides topic detection powered by deep studying (AI) expertise, and makes specializing in the meant topic simpler with extremely correct, high-speed autofocusing in roughly one third* of the time required by the Nikon Z5. As well as, the high-sensitivity efficiency made doable by the back-illuminated CMOS sensor suppresses blur and noise for stunning rendering of the textures and particulars of topics and scenes, even in dimly lit conditions, resembling when taking pictures indoors or capturing night time landscapes. The Z5II additionally helps Imaging Recipes, downloadable imaging presets created by Nikon and creators, in addition to Versatile Colour Image Management that enables customers to exactly management the expression of colours with intuitive operation. The Z5II is a digital camera that empowers customers to completely immerse themselves of their distinctive artistic expression whereas having fun with the highly effective taking pictures efficiency and wealthy, expressive capabilities of a full-frame digital camera.
Nikon will proceed to pursue new dimensions in optical efficiency whereas assembly customers’ wants, contributing to the event of imaging tradition, with the hope of increasing prospects for imaging expression.
- *Measured in accordance with CIPA requirements. The measurement values are primarily based on the next testing situations: Topic brightness of 10 EV; in photograph mode utilizing aperture-priority auto (A), single-servo AF (AF-S), single-point AF (middle), at 70-mm focal size with the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S.
Major options
1. Superior AF efficiency inherited from higher-end fashions
AI-utilizing deep studying expertise has been adopted for the Z5II, enabling automated detection of the identical 9 kinds of topic because the Z9 and Z8, for each stills and video recording. It’s the first full-frame Nikon mirrorless digital camera to assist AF-A spotlight mode; when taking pictures stills, the digital camera mechanically switches between AF-S and AF-C focus modes in response to topic motion or adjustments in composition. This enables the digital camera to mechanically deal with the topic, with no setting changes, when photographing pets or different topics whose actions are troublesome to foretell, thus releasing customers to focus on framing and creating the specified picture. As well as, elevated AF efficiency achieves focus in roughly one-third of the time required by the Z5, facilitating the seize of decisive moments. The Z5II can also be geared up with 3D-tracking, which retains the goal topic in focus even when it strikes quickly or erratically. This supplies topic monitoring at a continuing 14 fps, so customers won’t ever miss a vital second when photographing topics whose actions can’t be predicted.
2. Quite a lot of options that enable customers to unleash their creativity with distinctive coloration and imaging expression
Nikon Imaging Cloud connectivity permits customers to obtain Imaging Recipes really useful by Nikon or supervised by widespread creators at no cost, and to use these recipes when taking pictures. Recipes downloaded to the digital camera may be utilized instantly through the devoted Image Management button. Customers can shortly change between coloration presets and select from quite a lot of expressions whereas exploring their very own distinctive model. As well as, the Z5II helps Versatile Colour Image Management, which permits customers to create and set up their very own distinctive coloration kinds utilizing Nikon’s NX Studio* RAW processing and modifying pc software program. Utilizing instruments such because the Colour Blender and Colour Grading, customers can regulate hues, brightness, and distinction to realize customers desired coloration aesthetic. Combos of settings configured in NX Studio can then be exported to the Z5II and registered as Customized Image Controls that may be utilized at any time when taking pictures.
- *A Nikon ID is required for NX Studio Ver. 1.9.0 and later.
3. Taking pictures efficiency for stunning rendering of darkish scenes
The Z5II is supplied with the identical EXPEED 7 image-processing engine because the Z9, in addition to a back-illuminated CMOS sensor that stands up nicely to excessive sensitivities, for considerably much less noise. This digital camera provides a most normal sensitivity for still-image taking pictures of ISO 64000 and ISO 51200 for video recording. This excellent high-sensitivity efficiency permits the taking pictures of lovely, high-resolution pictures during which textures and particulars are preserved, even in dimly lit or darkish indoor areas resembling cafés and aquariums, in addition to outdoor or at night time. The truth is, the autofocus detection vary extends all the way down to the low-light restrict of -10 EV*1, making focusing in darkish environment simpler and increasing taking pictures prospects. The 5-axis in-camera vibration discount (VR) supplies superior picture stabilization equal to a 7.5-stop*2 enhance in shutter velocity on the middle and a 6.0-stop*2 enhance on the peripheral areas of the body. This enables customers to discover extra artistic taking pictures, resembling attempting out slower shutter speeds even when taking pictures handheld. The Z5II can also be geared up with Focus-point VR*3. This characteristic suppresses blurring round targeted areas for sharp rendering of the topic, even when it’s positioned close to the sting of the body.
- *1Picture mode, single-servo AF (AF-S), single-point AF (middle), ISO 100 equal, f/1.2 lens used, at 20°C/68°F.
- *2Primarily based on CIPA 2024 Customary. Yaw/pitch/roll efficiency when utilizing the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S (telephoto finish, NORMAL).
- *3Solely in photograph mode with NIKKOR Z lenses not geared up with VR. Doesn’t perform when a number of focus factors are displayed.
4. Efficiency and ease of use that assist dependable and comfy taking pictures
AUTO taking pictures mode has been improved with EXPEED 7’s superior image-processing efficiency and Nikon’s distinctive AI deep studying expertise. The digital camera responds to all kinds of taking pictures eventualities by analyzing and recognizing the topic and its environment, after which mechanically optimizing publicity values, together with aperture worth, shutter velocity, ISO sensitivity, and even focus mode, all whereas the person merely holds the digital camera. With a high-luminance 3000 cd/m2 digital viewfinder (EVF) panel, the EVF constructed into the Z5II is roughly 3x brighter than that employed for the Z5, permitting the person to verify focus and publicity, even in brilliant environment resembling outdoor beneath robust daylight. As well as, superior operability has been inherited from high-end fashions. For instance, buttons are positioned for right-handed operation that allows easy adjustment of settings when taking pictures, and the grip is formed to stop tiredness of the arm, even when a heavy lens is used for prolonged durations of time.
5. Extra options
- Outfitted with a Pre-Launch Seize perform*1 able to recording pictures buffered as much as one second earlier than the shutter-release button is absolutely pressed.
- Outfitted with Nikon’s unique portrait features, together with Wealthy Tone Portrait that realizes radiant and delightful rendering of pores and skin textures, and Pores and skin Softening that smooths the pores and skin whereas leaving hair, eyes, and different particulars sharp.
- Helps Hello-Res Zoom*2 with video recording that enables customers to zoom-in on their topic with no loss in decision when utilizing a chief lens or when the telephoto finish of a zoom lens doesn’t fairly attain.
- The primary Nikon Z collection digital camera to assist inner recording of N-RAW video to an SD card.*3
- Helps recording of N-Log*4 video that gives refined and wealthy tonal gradation.
- N-Log LUTs, developed in collaboration with RED for customers to get pleasure from cinematic colours and appears, can be utilized at no cost.
- Outfitted with Product Evaluation Mode, with which the digital camera mechanically switches focus to the thing in entrance of it, and Video Self-timer, with which the digital camera mechanically begins recording video after a preset delay when the report button is pressed.
- Outfitted with a big and high-resolution vari-angle monitor with a contact display for intuitive operation.
- With still-image images in vertical orientation, the monitor’s person interface and EVF info show mechanically rotate to vertical orientation, making them simpler to verify and function.
- *1Accessible solely with JPEG recording.
- *2Hello-Res Zoom is out there when all the next situations are met: H.265 10-bit (MOV), H.265 8-bit (MOV) or H.264 8-bit (MP4) -with picture space set to FX, and [1920×1080; 30p], [1920×1080; 25p], or [1920×1080; 24p] chosen for [Frame size/frame rate] within the video recording menu.
- *3When a body measurement and fee of [[FX] 4032×2268 30p], [[FX] 4032×2268 25p], [[FX] 4032×2268 24p], [[DX] 3984×2240 30p], [[DX] 3984×2240 25p], or [[DX] 3984×2240 24p] is chosen for [Frame size/frame rate] within the video recording menu. Image high quality is equal to that of a video high quality setting of [Normal]. Use of Video Velocity Class 90 (V90) SD reminiscence playing cards is really useful.
- *4When [H.265 10-bit (MOV)] or [N-RAW 12-bit (NEV)] is chosen for [Video file type] within the video recording menu.