Are you thinking about getting a Nikon Z5? If so, we are here to help! In this Nikon Z5 review, we cover absolutely everything there is to know about one of the most sought-after cameras currently on the market.
First, we share a basic camera overview and do a deep dive into the Nikon Z5 specs. After that, we will talk about the camera's design, video capabilities, pros & cons, and more!
One resource overflowing with Nikon Z5 cameras and a place I have bought and sold countless gear is MPB. They’re a trustworthy and reliable online platform that sells used photo and video kit at unbeatable prices.
Furthermore, their cameras are carefully hand-inspected by experienced product specialists and backed by warranties, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
Ok, enough dilly-dallying. Let’s jump into this Nikon Z5 review and learn everything there is to know about this fantastic camera!
Table of Contents
- Nikon Z5 Review: Basic Specs/Features
- Nikon Z5 Review: Body & Design
- Nikon Z5 Review: Video Capabilities
- Nikon Z5 Review: Pros & Cons
- Is the Nikon Z5 for You?
Nikon Z5 Review: Basic Specs/Features
The is a popular entry-level mirrorless camera released in July of 2020. It boasts a high-resolution 24.3 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and an updated Expeed 6 image-processing engine.
The two work hand in hand to deliver stunning photos and videos with excellent edge-to-edge sharpness. It shoots both RAW and JPEG image files, with the RAW files having a superior dynamic range, making them ideal for professionals and people who edit their photos in post-production. Alternatively, JPEGs have beautiful colors straight out of the camera and receive a boost in detail retention courtesy of the camera's JPEG algorithm.
Another standout area of this camera is its autofocus. It uses a 273-point hybrid phase-detection AF system that is fast and reliable during still shooting and video capture alike. The autofocus points cover ninety percent of the sensor and can be controlled using the joystick on the back of the camera or via the touch screen. On top of that, it has a face/eye detection AF mode and subject tracking capabilities.
More noteworthy features worth mentioning include solid low-light performance, in-camera sensor-shift image stabilization technology, and a high-resolution 3.59M-dot electronic viewfinder.
Here’s an in-depth look at the key features and specs of the Nikon Z5:
- Sensor: 24.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor
- ISO: 100 - 51,200 (expandable to 50 - 102,400)
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z Mount
- Speed: 4.5 fps
- Autofocus: 273 phase-detection & contrast-detection points
- Video: 4K/30p & 1080p/60p
- Size/Weight: 134 x 101 x 70 mm / 675 grams
- Battery Life: 470 shots
- Stabilization: Yes
- Touchscreen: Yes
Nikon Z5 Review: Body & Design
The body of the Nikon Z5 very closely resembles high-end professional cameras like the Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z7. It has a durable magnesium-alloy construction, features limited plastic components, and is fully weather-sealed. All in all, the Nikon Z5 feels exceptionally well made.
As for its size, with dimensions of 134 x 101 x 70 mm and weighing just 675 grams, it's much lighter and more compact than traditional Nikon DSLRs. With that said, the grip is large, sturdy, and feels comfy in the hands.
Shifting to its controls, there are two exposure dials and an array of easy-to-use, well-placed buttons. You can control all of the dials and buttons using only one hand, and the majority of them are customizable to help speed up your workflow.
Also, the Nikon Z5 has dual SD card slots, a tilting touchscreen display, and an easy-to-navigate menu system. Lastly, its battery life of approximately 470 shots is significantly higher than most mirrorless cameras and is more than enough to get you through a full day of shooting.
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Nikon Z5 Review: Video Capabilities
While photos are unquestionably where this camera shines brightest, the Nikon Z5 video specs are still impressive. For starters, it shoots 4K video at 24, 25, and 30 frames per second and 1080p Full HD clips at up to 60 fps.
4K movies maintain good corner to corner sharpness throughout the frame, although, unfortunately, it does crop the footage. This limits your ability to shoot wide shots, even when using a wide-angle lens. However, when filming in 1080p, no crop factor is applied.
One of my favorite features of the Nikon Z5 is the video/photo toggle on the back of the camera. It allows you to switch between the two modes quickly and keeps the two menu systems separate. One advantage of this is that you can customize and assign two distinct functions to buttons based on whether you are in photo or video mode.
In addition, the 5-axis image stabilization is a huge advantage during video recording. It adds five stops of exposure and notably improves the video quality when shooting in low-light conditions. Moreover, it makes handheld shooting possible and almost entirely eliminates unwanted camera shake.
Other outstanding video features include the tilting screen, microphone port, and headphone port. They are must-have features for YouTubers and vloggers and make the Nikon Z5 a terrific choice for video content creators.
Nikon Z5 Review: Pros & Cons
No Nikon Z5 review would be complete without a breakdown of its pros and cons. So, here’s a quick look at where the Nikon Z5 stands out from the pack and where Nikon could improve it in future iterations.
Pros:
- Great value
- Super sharp image quality
- Responsive autofocus in both photo and video modes
- Excellent handling and ergonomics
- Large, comfortable grip
- Tilting rear touchscreen LCD
- Large, high-resolution electronic viewfinder
- 5-Axis in-body image stabilization
- Two UHS-II SD memory card slots
- Microphone and headphone ports
- Weather sealed body protects it against moisture and dust
- Vast lineup of compatible native Nikon lenses
Cons:
- 4.5 fps max continuous shooting speed is on the slow side
- 4K video applies a generous 1.7x crop factor
- Occasional rolling shutter issues during 4K recording
- No built-in flash
- No top LCD
Is the Nikon Z5 for You?
If you are a beginner or intermediate photographer looking for a camera that takes killer photos and has solid 4K video, the Nikon Z5 is an excellent option. And regardless of whether you ultimately buy a new or used camera, the Nikon Z5 price is a total bargain!
I hope you found this Nikon Z5 review valuable and informative during your buying process, and as a bonus, here’s a list of my favorite Nikon lenses currently available on MPB to pair with it:
- Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70 mm f/4 S
- Nikon Nikkor Z 24-200 mm f/4-6.3 VR
- Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
- Nikon Nikkor Z 24 mm f/1.8 S
- Nikon Nikkor Z 50 mm f/1.2 S