Nikon Z5 Camera Review: A Perfect Blend of Performance and Portability

The Nikon Z5 is a new entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera released by the business. It has a design almost identical to the Nikon Z6s, one step above the Nikon mirrorless line.

The Nikon Z5 is the finest starting mirrorless camera available now if you’re seeking a full-frame model. It may be more expensive than competitors like the Canon EOS RP and the Sony A7 II, but it is currently the best option.

The Nikon Z5 is an impressive camera in terms of its specifications. We discovered that the vast 24-megapixel full-frame sensor at the camera’s core would reward you with great-looking photographs in various shooting conditions. This sensor is located at the center of the camera.

You’ll need to look at the files closely to tell the difference. Still, the Nikon Z6 is an excellent option if you’re frequently shooting in low light because it has a more recent back-illuminated sensor, which performs better at higher ISOs. However, if you’re shooting regularly in low light, consider the Nikon Z7 instead.

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Nikon Z5 Price

The electronic viewfinder (EVF) of the Nikon Z5 has 3.69 million dots, is vast and brilliant, and makes it a delight to compose photographs. Additionally, there is a very decent 3.0-inch tilt-angle touchscreen on the camera. A competent autofocus system with 273 points works well for stationary and moving subjects. It is smart enough to identify and focus on your subject’s eye, even if it belongs to your cat.

Nikon Z5 Design and handling

The camera has the same size and weight as the Nikon Z6. The exposure mode dial has been moved to the thelectronic viewfinder’s (EVF) right). Plastic is used on the rear and bottom of the camera.

The Nikon Z5 is the same size and weight as the Z6, which is surprising given that you would typically anticipate an entry-level camera to be smaller and lighter than more expensive models in the range. When you include the weight of the battery, the body of the Z5 weighs in at 675 grams, but in comparison to the Z6, there have been some modifications to the Z5’s structure and its ergonomics.

Beginning with the construction, there are a few minute changes between the two. The Z6 has the upper hand around the back, with another magnesium alloy panel used; the Z5 uses a plastic panel on the re instead. However, seeing a decent amount of magnesium alloy on an entry-level camera is still good. Both cameras use magnesium alloy panels for the top and front, but the Z6 has the upper hand around the back, with another magnesium alloy panel used. The weather resistance of the Z5 is comparable to that of the Z6, and the handgrip on both models is generously sized and quite comfortable.

The Z5 does not have a top-plate LCD, which is the primary factor contributing to the Z6’s superior ergonomics compared to the Z5. This is not required equipment, and most mirrorless cameras do not have it. However, it may be helpful for monitoring and altering the exposure settings on the camera.

Because there is no top-plate display, Nikon shifted the position of the mode dial on this camera from the left side of the viewfinder, where it was located on the Z6, to the right side of the viewfinder. Aside from that, the control arrangement is virtually identical to the Z6, a feature that should be praised.

The top and rear of the camera are covered with well-labeled buttons, and the camera’s joystick and sub-selector D-pad make it possible to select the AF region and navigate the menu with relative ease. If you want, you can also operate many of the Z5’s settings via the touchscreen LCD that measures 3.0 inches, and Nikon’s menu system is one of the more accessible interfaces to get a handle on.

Sticking with the LCD, it’s no surprise to see the Z5 employ the same tilt-angle technology as the Z6. Still, photographers should find this a valuable tool for helping them frame low- and high-angle photos. Videographers and vloggers may be upset that the display does not have a variable angle that completely articulates, but videographers and vloggers may also find this to be the case.

However, be warned that Nikon haimplementednt a display with a lesser resolution on the Z5 than on the Z6. The solution has been reduced from 2.1 million dots to 1.1 million dots, a significant difference. Such a cost reduction is expected, and other cameras, such as the Canon EOS RP, provide a comparable resolution (although its display benefits from a vari-angle hinge).

Nikon Z5 Performance

• Conservative a burst rate of 4.5 frames per second
• Strong performance in the AF
• A rather long battery life

Burst shooting speed is one area in which the Nikon Z5 is notably lacking compared to the Z6, even though the new camera has inherited many of the capabilities seen on the Z6. Although this is on pace with other cameras like the EOS RP and Sony Alpha A7 II, it is still a surprising move on Nikon’s part to cap the Z5’s shooting speed at this level. The Z6 can have a unique 12 frames per second, but the Z5 only has 4.5 frames per second.

With the camera employing the same EXPEED 6 image processor as the Z6, it’s not unreasonable to think that the Z5 should, in principle, be able to shoot equally swiftly. Still, as things stand, the Z5 is hindered by people who want to capture the action.

The 273-point AF system employed in the Z5 is a very excellent performer, bettering those systems seen in rivals like the EOS RP and Alpha A7 II. There are many focusing settings, regardless of whether you shoot in Single or Continuous AF mode. We found that focusing was both quick and silent in most situations.

It’s a shame that the Z5’s limited burst shooting speed makes it less suitable for action photography because it performed so well, locking on quickly and consistently to track our subjects as they moved across the frame. In addition, focus tracking worked quite well.

Last but not least, the EN-EL15c is a brand-new battery included in the Z5. This battery has a higher capacity than its predecessors (although it is interchangeable with older variants). As a result, you can anticipate capturing 470 shots when using the rear monitor alone or 390 images when utilizing the EVF — that’s about 80 shots better than the Z6.

Nikon Z5 Image & Videos Quality

• ISO 100-51,200, extendable to 50-102,400
• Excellent clarity and detail \sHigh-ISO performance not nearly as outstanding as Z6

Although we’ve touched on it before, the Z5 utilizes a different full-frame sensor than the Z6, even though both cameras have the exact resolution. What does that mean for the image quality that the Z5 does not have the same back-illuminated sensor configuration as the Z6?

The quick answer is that you’ll have to look closely at the two cameras’ photographs to notice any difference.

When you move towards the higher end of the ISO range, you will notice a difference when you zoom into shots, with a hint of more noticeable noise. At low ISOs, you will be rewarded with sharp and clean images comparable to those from the Z6, and it is only when you move toward the higher end of the ISO range you will notice a difference.

The Z5 does an excellent job of handling picture noise, even in this regard. Detail is preserved at an ISO setting of 6,400, and barely a trace of chroma noises e discernible when viewed at 100 percent. However, since it is reasonable to anticipate that the dynamic range and detail levels would decrease when the expansion sensitivity settings are increased, ISO 102,400 should be reserved only for emergency use.

However, 4K footage might be a touch underwhelming at times. The crop factor of 1.7x can be restrictive, and the limited variety of frame sizes will be frustrating for anyone who wants to record more than a few minutes of film every so often.

Nikon Z5 Specs

Body type
Body type	SLR-style mirrorless
Body material	Magnesium alloy, composite
Sensor
Max resolution	6016 x 4016
Image ratio w h	1:1, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	24 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	25 megapixels
Sensor size	Full frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm)
Sensor type	CMOS
Processor	Expeed 6
Color space	sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array	Primary color filter
Image
ISO	Auto, 100-51200 (expands to 50-102400)
Boosted ISO (minimum)	50
Boosted ISO (maximum)	102400
White balance presets	12
Custom white balance	Yes (6 slots)
Image stabilization	Sensor-shift
Image stabilization notes	5-axis
CIPA image stabilization rating	5 stop(s)
Uncompressed format	RAW
JPEG quality levels	Fine, normal, basic
File format	JPEGRaw (NEF, 12 or 14-bit)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View.
Autofocus assist lamp	Yes
Manual focus	Yes
Number of focus points	273
Focal length multiplier	1×
Screen/viewfinder
Articulated LCD	Tilting
Screen size	3.2″
Screen dots	1,040,000
Touch screen	Yes
Screen type	TFT LCD
Live View	Yes
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Viewfinder coverage	200%
Viewfinder magnification	0.8×
Viewfinder resolution	3,689,400
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed	30 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/8000 sec
Exposure modes	ProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManual
Built-in flash	No
External flash	Yes (via hot shoe)
Flash modes	Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off
Flash X sync speed	1/200 sec
Continuous drive	4.5 fps
Self-timer	Yes (2, 5, 10, or 20 secs)
Metering modes	MultiCenter-weightedHighlight-weighted spot
Exposure compensation	±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
WB Bracketing	Yes
Videography features
Format	MPEG-4, H.264
Modes	3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Storage
Storage types	Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Connectivity
USB	USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
USB charging	Yes
HDMI	Yes (micro HDMI)
Microphone port	Yes
Headphone port	Yes
Wireless	Built-In
Wireless notes	802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth
Remote control	Yes (via smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealed	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	EN-EL15c lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	470
Weight (inc. batteries)	675 g (1.49 lb / 23.81 oz)
Dimensions	134 x 101 x 70 mm (5.28 x 3.98 x 2.76″)
Other features
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	Yes
GPS	None

Nikon Z5 Final Verdict

The Nikon Z5 is currently the most excellent full-frame mirrorless camera available at an entry-level price. Of course, it’s not flawless, but owing to a mix of superb image quality, a consistent AF performance, easy handling, and a weather-sealed shell and sturdy body, the Z5 has a lot going for it. The current pricing is the only thing holding it back, as it’s not much cheaper than the much better Z6.

Nikon Z5 FAQs