Z5II -It’s here.

[Leonard Shepherd]

$200 more than I hoped,

Right now - yes - including an Adobe introductory package priced at $166 by Thom Hogan.

Maybe in 3 months time without the Adobe package only $100 more than some had hoped.

--
Leonard Shepherd
In lots of ways good photography is similar to learning to play a piano - it takes practice to develop skill in either activity.

 

[Thomerik]

As a Z6 user, this is definitely a camera that I have on my radar. The Zf didn't interest me much : it was too big for what it was set out to do and the situation I'd use a Zf in, I would rather use my X-Pro2 or Oly E-M5 mark II.

However the Z5II is basically if they put a Zf in a Z6III body. Same sensor as my current Z6, but flip out screen, 10bit video and modern autofocus.

Only gripe so far, is that if I bought a Z5II to make my Z6 step down towards the "backup camera" role, it would still be the camera I reach for for some occasions : funny enough, those where I need a long buffer.

The CFXB card slot of the Z6 means that the buffer issue is basically written off : a full buffer is written on the cars in like 1-2 seconds, I don't have to wait before shooting again, which makes it really nice for sports shooting. The Z5II still has dual "regular" SDs, which will take much longer to write down the same kind of buffer.

I guess if I was a Z5 user without any CFXB cards to care about, I wouldn't be in such a pickle.

If only the Z6II had an Expeed 7 processor !

The second hand price for Z6II will probably drop a rock in the near future. Still, I can get a second hand Z7II for just slightly more than this Z5II (but the added features looks tempting). Might wait for the price to drop, or for second hand units to show up. I will definetly be impatient.

 

[MJ_Photo38]

As a Z6 user, this is definitely a camera that I have on my radar. The Zf didn't interest me much : it was too big for what it was set out to do and the situation I'd use a Zf in, I would rather use my X-Pro2 or Oly E-M5 mark II.

However the Z5II is basically if they put a Zf in a Z6III body. Same sensor as my current Z6, but flip out screen, 10bit video and modern autofocus.

Only gripe so far, is that if I bought a Z5II to make my Z6 step down towards the "backup camera" role, it would still be the camera I reach for for some occasions : funny enough, those where I need a long buffer.

The CFXB card slot of the Z6 means that the buffer issue is basically written off : a full buffer is written on the cars in like 1-2 seconds, I don't have to wait before shooting again, which makes it really nice for sports shooting. The Z5II still has dual "regular" SDs, which will take much longer to write down the same kind of buffer.

I guess if I was a Z5 user without any CFXB cards to care about, I wouldn't be in such a pickle.

If only the Z6II had an Expeed 7 processor !

The second hand price for Z6II will probably drop a rock in the near future. Still, I can get a second hand Z7II for just slightly more than this Z5II (but the added features looks tempting). Might wait for the price to drop, or for second hand units to show up. I will definetly be impatient.

I'll be honest, the performance difference beteen the Z6 and Z6II is so small, I might simply not care. I know I would even not use the SD slot in a Z6II because it would bottle neck the CFXB card.

If the Z5II had a CFXB slot, this camera would have been a clear no-brainer, but as it stands, this is a decision that needs to be thought out a little more. Especially with the Z6III being right there. More expensive, but I can wait until I can afford it used.

 

[jthomas39]

It's a clone of my Z6 iii. Same body controls, without the top panel display. A slower sensor scan that could show some rolling shutter effects on fast panning, etc.

Two SD cards, to save some money. There will be some kind of limits on fast burst before it slows to write to the cards, I expect.

It's a very good tradeoff. A lower cost in exchange for these fast shooting limitations. It seems like everything else the Z6 iii has is included on the Z5 ii.

 

[jtr27]

I am another Z6 owner who finds the Z5ii very tempting, although perhaps not at its "aspirational" initial price. No one of the many improvements would be of vital importance to me, but adding them all up, it is clearly a faster, more capable, more enjoyable camera, without the higher cost of a partially stacked sensor, which I do not need, or the usability compromises (for me) of a Zf.

Nikon is clearly all in on Flexible Picture Controls. Many "serious" photographers will no doubt turn up their noses at this capability, but I expect many buyers will derive great enjoyment from being able to more easily get the look they want, either straight out of the camera or as a first step in their RAW development. Or to put it succinctly, it sounds like fun. Oh, the horror!

I'll be monitoring prices with great interest and interested to see reviewers and fellow forum members put the Z5ii through its paces.

 

[Leonard Shepherd]

It seems like everything else the Z6 iii has is included on the Z5 ii.

One thing missing is a top plate LED – understandable at the price point.

 

[Nebido]

It seems like everything else the Z6 iii has is included on the Z5 ii.

One thing missing is a top plate LED – understandable at the price point.

EVF also differ.

Z5II comes with the resolution and refresh rate of the Zf EVF, only brighter.

It does not have the higher resolution and high refresh of the Z6III.

Z6III

1.27-cm/0.5-in. UXGA OLED electronic viewfinder with approx. 5760k-dots, color balance, auto and 19-level manual brightness controls, and support for high frame rates

Z5II

1.27-cm/0.5-in. approx. 3690k-dot (Quad VGA) OLED electronic viewfinder with color balance and auto and 18-level manual brightness controls

 

[SJB10]

This represents an interesting release but I have a Zf so I'm not in any way tempted. Great set of features at a reasonable price though and I'm sure it will sell well.

I'm still more sold on a Z7iii, if it ever happens, to replace my Z7.

I'll be interesting to see if they can find a place for it in the lineup. The main arguments against this have been that there is no place for its feature set under the Z8 at a differentiated price point.

Could it be argued that the new Z5 is eating the Z6 lineup's lunch? Even more so considering the significant price gap?

 

[skyrunr]

I am another Z6 owner who finds the Z5ii very tempting, although perhaps not at its "aspirational" initial price. No one of the many improvements would be of vital importance to me, but adding them all up, it is clearly a faster, more capable, more enjoyable camera, without the higher cost of a partially stacked sensor, which I do not need, or the usability compromises (for me) of a Zf.

I returned to Nikon for the Z6III with Expeed7. The Expeed7 bodies are game changers. If you use tracking, the 3D tracking is a MUCH better experience than the enable-reset approach. My only frustration is not being able to switch between subjects as easily as the II's did. For people the left/right arrows never seem to appear, and some subjects in group photos never seem to get detected.

We'll have to see how much of a difference the 299 AF points makes.

Nikon is clearly all in on Flexible Picture Controls. Many "serious" photographers will no doubt turn up their noses at this capability, but I expect many buyers will derive great enjoyment from being able to more easily get the look they want, either straight out of the camera or as a first step in their RAW development. Or to put it succinctly, it sounds like fun. Oh, the horror!

Luckily this button can be customized, so it is an additional Fn button, and you can also customized the playback button back to the top right location. IF the Z6III had cycle-AF area I would use it for that feature. I'm hoping Nikon eventually drops some firmware bird-AF and cycle-AF to the Z6III.

I'll be monitoring prices with great interest and interested to see reviewers and fellow forum members put the Z5ii through its paces.

I can see myself replacing my Z50II with it for the battery life, battery sharing, lower noise, and likely better AF performance. Not to mention lightening my bag trading in all of my DX lenses. Something I'll wait until black Friday to do. I had a feeling it was going to be good enough, but kind of wanted 30mp.

As others have stated, a 45mp used Z7II wouldn't be too bad paired with a Z6III either. I'd still wait and see if Nikon releases a 60mp global shutter (anything) or Z7III. We might see a RED infused video monster as well. (Not interested myself.)

 

[skyrunr]

It does not have the higher resolution and high refresh of the Z6III.

I don't find the Z6III's EVF to be that impressive in use, just really bright, and I run it -3 manual anyway. HLG/HEIF seems to have a very warm tint to it, not the Nikon neutral I prefer. Since I use Lightroom, I have to shoot RAW to use the enhance features. I managed sports and aviation well enough with H+ on a Z7II. Then again, I didn't have two FX cameras to compare side-by-side when I purchased it. I had been shooting with Sony, A7C's and they make you appreciate more DR (any Nikon ML EVF.) LOL

--
SkyRunR
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
“The quickest way to make money at photography is to sell your camera.” – Anonymous

 

[larrytusaz]

The Z6III has a bit less dynamic range than the Z5-Z6II sensor, while the Zf kept all the DR while still improving autofocusing dramatically. Basically the Z5II is a Zf internals in a Z5 body, which is exactly what I was hoping for.

As I'm just a hobbyist however I'm not sure I can justify $1700. A cheap second hand Z5 just might be the ticket if I go full frame. I have the old Z50, heck maybe the Z50II would make more sense for me. Still, I like what Nikon has done here.

 

[Droster]

This represents an interesting release but I have a Zf so I'm not in any way tempted. Great set of features at a reasonable price though and I'm sure it will sell well.

I'm still more sold on a Z7iii, if it ever happens, to replace my Z7.

I'll be interesting to see if they can find a place for it in the lineup. The main arguments against this have been that there is no place for its feature set under the Z8 at a differentiated price point.

Could it be argued that the new Z5 is eating the Z6 lineup's lunch? Even more so considering the significant price gap?

If we can get away with spending less, we will. Any lower end product will eat into the higher end product's lunch, which is why you always release the usually more expensive one first before launching the cheaper model.

That also means at this point in time where the Z6iii and the Z5ii exist, the Z7iii will be a hard sell now. That doesn't mean there's no point to it though. There is a $1,500 price gap between the $4k Z8 and the $2.5k Z6iii. There is a $800 gap between the Z6iii and now the Z5ii. They can squeeze in the Z7 in the $1,500 space between the future Z8ii and the Z6iv if they want to.

So it's a question of timing. Maybe not this generation, maybe in the next.

 

[nameless0ne]

Put my preorder today with local dealer. Basically a perfect model for me personally, like made EXACTLY how I wanted it. Nearly to all details as I need. Price is a bit higher than I have expected but still. Love it, Nikon!

 

[skyrunr]

The Z6III has a bit less dynamic range than the Z5-Z6II sensor, while the Zf kept all the DR while still improving autofocusing dramatically. Basically the Z5II is a Zf internals in a Z5 body, which is exactly what I was hoping for.

As I'm just a hobbyist however I'm not sure I can justify $1700. A cheap second hand Z5 just might be the ticket if I go full frame. I have the old Z50, heck maybe the Z50II would make more sense for me. Still, I like what Nikon has done here.

As a Z6III user, you can flat out ignore the DR reports. Unless you want a 45mp 64ISO capable Z7II for landscapes. Software easily makes up for that difference. You can shoot HDR, bracket, up-sample/clean, and pixel shift.

Your Z50 focuses better than that bargain Z5. As a Z50II owner, I'd have to say go with the Z5II for the FPS, better noise performance, 299 AF areas, and better battery life. I feel like I'm always replacing my batteries with the Z50II which is a little worse than the Z50. However, it might be because I enjoy using it that much more, and I'm more likely to grab it before I grab my Z6III.

 

[UsherFellig]

How will the just-announced tariffs affect US pricing?

And BTW, is discussion of this very photo-gear-relevant news and issue being banned at DPR? A Nikon Z thread citing new articles at Thom Hpgan and the Rumor site has been removed. What gives?

 

[msu79gt82]

Did we w]expect the BSI sensor?

I hoped for it as the Z6III hybrid sensor has just atrocious dynamic range. The Z5II is a ZF in a modern body. Very good.

Well that’s a first :-|

While the Z6iii has a bit less dynamic range I’ve never heard it called atrocious before :-|

 

[skyrunr]

How will the just-announced tariffs affect US pricing?

And BTW, is discussion of this very photo-gear-relevant news and issue being banned at DPR? A Nikon Z thread citing new articles at Thom Hpgan and the Rumor site has been removed. What gives?

Welcome to 2025.

 

[MJ_Photo38]

It seems like everything else the Z6 iii has is included on the Z5 ii.

One thing missing is a top plate LED – understandable at the price point.

EVF also differ.

Z5II comes with the resolution and refresh rate of the Zf EVF, only brighter.

At this point you can say that it comes with Z5's EVF, but brighter, it's basically the same thing.

I don't think that it will make much of a difference for most people. The EVF in my Z6 (same as OG Z5) is already plenty good enough for 99% of people and use cases.

 

[MJ_Photo38]

Did we w]expect the BSI sensor?

I hoped for it as the Z6III hybrid sensor has just atrocious dynamic range. The Z5II is a ZF in a modern body. Very good.

Well that’s a first :-|

While the Z6iii has a bit less dynamic range I’ve never heard it called atrocious before :-|

It's similar to APS-C cameras at ISO 100, and gradually comes closer to full frame territory as you get closer to ISO 800, at which point it's basically matching other full frame cameras.

In my opinion : not a big deal. Some landscapes photographers might object, but if you are planning on doing landscapes only with a Z6III, I'd say you got the wrong camera fror the job.

 

[jpnwdc]

The Z5II has nine subject detections options - more than the Z6iii. Maybe the Z5II is a better option for stills photography?