Nikon Cameras
Nikon Z5 Review
Nikon Z5 was introduced in 2020 as the most affordable entry point into the full-frame Z system. Positioned below the Z6 series, the Z5 was designed to attract photographers moving up from DSLR systems who wanted a mirrorless full-frame camera at a lower price point. While it shares a similar design as the Z6 and Z7, the Z5 makes several compromises to reach its lower cost.
At launch, the Z5 was appealing on paper – a 24 MP full-frame sensor, IBIS, weather sealing, dual card slots and 4K video. However, in practice, its non-BSI sensor and much slower performance make it noticeably weaker than other Nikon Z models. With the release of newer Nikon cameras, the Z5 quickly became outdated.
Nikon Z System
The release of the Z6 and Z7 in 2018 introduced the Nikon Z-mount. With a larger mount diameter and shorter flange distance, the Z system allowed Nikon to design faster, sharper lenses with better low-light performance. Compared to old DSLRs the system is smaller and lighter while also improving autofocus speed and overall image quality. After nearly a decade, the Z-mount system now provides a wide selection of lenses. Nikon F-mount lenses (older DSLR lenses) remain fully compatible with Nikon Z series cameras via the FTZ adapter.
Nikon Z5 Price
Nikon Z5 Specifications
General
Nikon Z5 features a 24.3 MP full-frame CMOS sensor paired with Nikon’s EXPEED 6 processor. The same sensor was already used in the Nikon D750, a very popular Nikon DSLR.
The body design is similar to the Z6 and Z7, featuring a magnesium alloy chassis, weather sealing and a comfortable grip. It still feels solid and well-built, especially for an entry-level camera.
The camera includes 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS), rated up to 5 stops. At the time, this was a major advantage over other entry-level cameras in the market.
The Z5 features dual SD card slots, which make it more suitable for backup-sensitive workflows. This was the only advantage the Z5 had over the original Z6. Both card slots are limited to UHS-II SD cards, which are much cheaper, but also slower than CFexpress cards.
The Z5 lacks a fully articulating screen, making it a less than ideal choice for solo video creators.
Autofocus
The Z5 uses a hybrid autofocus system with 273 phase-detect points covering roughly 90% of the frame.
Eye-detection AF is available for humans and works reasonably well in good lighting, but subject tracking is basic and unreliable compared to other Nikon cameras. Autofocus also degrades noticeably in low-light conditions and in video recording mode.
While AF performance is acceptable for general photography, it’s clearly less responsive than the Z6 series.
Photography
In good lighting, the Z5 delivers solid image quality with pleasing colors and good dynamic range. However, the limitations of its non-BSI sensor become apparent in low-light conditions (at higher ISO values), where noise increases more quickly than on BSI sensors found in the Z6, Z6 II and Z5 II.
Continuous shooting is limited to 4.5 frames per second, which is very slow by modern standards and makes the camera unsuitable for sports or any type of fast action.
Shutter options include mechanical, electronic front-curtain and fully electronic (silent) shutter modes. Rolling shutter distortion is noticeable when using the electronic shutter due to slower readout speed.
Video
Video is known to be one of the Z5’s weakest areas.
Unlike other Nikon Z series cameras, the Z5 does not use the full width of the sensor for 4K recording and it does not offer oversampled 4K recording. The camera can record 4K video at up to 30 fps, but with a heavy 1.7x crop.
Full HD video (1080p) is available up to 60 fps.
There are no log profiles, no 10-bit output and no RAW video recording options. Recording is limited to 8-bit and the camera is clearly not designed for any type of serious video work.
The Z5 has a 30-minute recording limit. Like all other Nikon models, the Z5 saves video footage to only one SD card.
For casual video or occasional clips, the Z5 is usable, but hybrid shooters will find other Nikon cameras vastly superior.
| Feature | NIKON Z5 |
|---|---|
| Release Date | July 2020 |
| Megapixels | 24.3 MP |
| Image Resolution | 6016 × 4016 |
| Sensor Size | Full Frame |
| Sensor Type | CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 6 |
| IBIS | 5-Axis, 5 stops |
| Weather Sealing | Yes |
| Lens Mount | Nikon Z |
| Body Type | Mirrorless |
| PHOTO | |
| Native ISO | 100 – 51,200 |
| Expandable ISO | 50 – 102,400 |
| Shutter Speed | 1/8000 – 30s |
| Burst Rate (Mechanical) | 4.5 fps RAW |
| Burst Rate (Electronic) | 4.5 fps RAW |
| Buffer | ~ 100 RAW |
| Shutter Types | Mechanical, Electronic, EFCS |
| Silent Shooting | Yes (Electronic Shutter) |
| Exposure Compensation | ±5 EV |
| High-Res (Sensor Shift) | No |
| Pre-Capture Mode | No |
| VIDEO | |
| 4K Video | 4K 30fps (1.7x crop) |
| Max Frame Rate | 4K 30fps (1.7x crop) / 1080p 60fps |
| Bit Depth | 8-bit |
| Recording Limit | 29m 59s |
| Timelapse Recording | Yes |
| AUTOFOCUS | |
| AF System | Hybrid AF |
| AF Points | 273 |
| AF Coverage | ~ 90% Frame Coverage |
| AF Joystick | Yes |
| DISPLAY / VIEWFINDER | |
| Articulated Screen | Tilting |
| Touch Screen | Yes |
| LCD Size | 3.2" |
| LCD Resolution | 1,040,000 |
| EVF Resolution | 3,690,000 |
| EVF Refresh Rate | 60 fps |
| EVF Coverage | 100% |
| EVF Magnification | 0.8× |
| MORE INFO | |
| Card Slot 1 | SD (UHS-II) |
| Card Slot 2 | SD (UHS-II) |
| Sensor Protection System | No |
| USB | Type C 3.1 |
| USB Charging | Yes |
| HDMI | Type D (Micro HDMI) |
| Microphone Port | 3.5 mm |
| Headphone Port | 3.5 mm |
| Built-in Flash | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Battery | EN-EL15c |
| Battery Life | 400 ~ 500 frames |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Yes |
| Dimensions | 134 × 101 × 70 mm |
| Weight | 675 g |
Nikon Z5 Alternatives
Nikon Z5 II
The original Nikon Z6 (2018) was superior in almost every way: a 24 MP BSI sensor with better low-light performance, faster readout, 12 fps shooting and uncropped oversampled 4K video recording. On the used market, it always represents much better value than the Z5. The only downside is a single card slot (XQD / CFexpress card). While a used Z6 is still a solid option for those entering the Nikon full-frame system for the very first time, it is otherwise difficult to recommend over the Z6 II or the Z5 II.
Nikon Z6 II (2020) keeps the same 24 MP BSI sensor as the original Z6 but adds dual processors, dual card slots, vastly improved AF, more video recording options (cropped 4K 60 fps), a higher burst rate and a much larger buffer – an improvement in every way.
Nikon Z5 II (2025) completely replaces the original Z5 in Nikon’s lineup – it’s important to understand that the Z5 II has almost nothing in common with the original Z5 and is no longer positioned as an entry-level or budget option. Instead, it effectively serves as a more modern alternative to the Z6 II.
It uses the same 24 MP BSI sensor found in the Z6 and Z6 II, but paired with a faster EXPEED 7 processor, delivering excellent image quality along with great autofocus and video performance. It can shoot at up to 11 fps in RAW with the mechanical shutter (14 fps JPEG), up to 14 fps RAW with the electronic shutter (30 fps JPEG) and it can record 4K video at 30 fps oversampled from 6K and 4K 60 fps with a 1.5x crop (all internally and in 12-bit RAW).
As of now, the Z5 II is definitely the best entry point into Nikon’s full-frame Z system for anyone interested in photography or video.
Sony A7 III
Sony A7 and Sony A7 II can be considered alternatives, as they are slightly cheaper on the used market compared to the Z5 (the A7 II is still offered as a new product in some regions). They also use older, 24 MP non-BSI sensors and lack many modern features. They are inferior to the Nikon Z5 and all other cameras on this list, as they were released back in 2013 and 2014.
Sony A7 III (2018) was a major upgrade and remains one of the most popular full-frame cameras today. Just like the Z6, Z6 II and Z5 II, it features IBIS, weather sealing, oversampled 4K video recording and a similar 24 MP BSI sensor, resulting in excellent low-light performance and strong dynamic range. It also offers dual SD card slots and continuous shooting at up to 10 fps.
When priced similarly to the Nikon Z5 II, the newer Z5 II represents better value, but there are many more affordable used options available for the A7 III.
Canon R8
Canon EOS R (2018, 30 MP) and EOS RP (2019, 26 MP) are Canon’s entry-level full-frame cameras with older sensors, older processors and outdated autofocus systems. They lack IBIS and offer only low-quality heavily cropped 4K video recording, making either of them a poor alternative to any Nikon mirrorless camera.
Canon EOS R8 (2023) is Canon’s modern entry-level full-frame model and a major upgrade over the older EOS R and EOS RP. It is essentially a more compact and more affordable version of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, sharing the same 24 MP sensor and highly advanced autofocus system. Autofocus performance is consistently stronger than in most current Nikon cameras. The R8 offers oversampled 4K 60 fps recording in 10-bit without a crop (although rolling shutter is noticeable). It lacks IBIS, has no mechanical shutter and has only one card slot. It can shoot at up to 40 fps in 12-bit RAW with the electronic shutter (with noticeable rolling shutter distortion).
The R8 is an extremely capable camera, but for photographers, similarly priced alternatives such as the Nikon Z5 II or the Sony A7 III may offer a more well-rounded feature set.
Nikon Z5 Price
Final Verdict
Nikon Z5 was Nikon’s attempt at an affordable full-frame mirrorless camera, but its compromises are significant. While it offers IBIS, weather sealing and dual card slots, its non-BSI sensor, slow burst rate, weak autofocus and heavily cropped 4K video make it difficult to recommend today.
If you are considering purchasing a used entry-level Nikon full-frame camera, avoid the original Z5. A used original Nikon Z6 is still the better option: its 24 MP BSI sensor, IBIS, weather sealing, 12 fps shooting and uncropped 4K 30 fps video recording make it a strong performer even today.
If you are looking for something newer the Z5 II is definitely the best entry point into Nikon’s full-frame Z system for anyone interested in photography or video.
If you’re not specifically looking for a Nikon camera, another great alternative is the very popular Sony A7 III. Sony has used the same E-mount since 2010, which means there are over 200 lenses available and a massive second-hand market. For beginners entering the Sony system, that means more options and way better prices. Sony A7 III also uses a similar 24 MP BSI sensor, but performance is definitely a bit dated compared to the new Nikon Z5 II.
More Affordable APS-C Alternatives
If you are a beginner and don’t yet feel the need for full-frame, then the Nikon Z50 or Z50 II are excellent, more affordable APS-C alternatives. Pairing them with the two kit lenses – the 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 and the 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 – gets you a high-quality Nikon setup for a fraction of the price of any full-frame kit.
Sony also offers excellent cameras in its APS-C lineup (the a6000 series), particularly the a6100 and a6400, with the a6700 available at a higher price point.