New flagship features, a higher price tag – is the Z5 II too much camera?
Same 24.5MP full-frame stabilized sensor as Nikon Zf
Latest Expeed 7 processor delivers a raft of performance improvements
Pricier than Z5 at launch, costing £1,599 body-only (US and AU pricing TBC)
Nikon has unveiled the successor to its Z5 entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera: the powerful – and pricier – Z5 II.
It’s probably about time – the 24MP Z5 was launched in 2020 and was beginning to look a little dated, especially for high-speed photography and video.
Nikon has pushed the boat out with the Z5 II – the second-gen model delivers several performance-based improvements and inherits a raft of flagship features, including superb autofocus skills.
These improvements mirror how the Nikon Z50 II improved on the Z50 – it was a decent if not radical upgrade.
The rub, however, is that the Z5 II feels pricey for an entry-level model, and is close to stepping on the toes of Nikon’s mid-range models; so much so, in fact, that it could represent an upgrade from the Z6 II – the previous version of Nikon’s mid-range model, since updated by the Z6 III.
So the question is, does the Z5 II step out of its lane, or is it a perfectly balanced offering?Too much camera?
In the five years since its launch, the Nikon Z5 has steadily dropped in price, and can be had for way less than $1,000 / £1,000. That feels like a sensible price tag for beginners and enthusiasts considering their first full-frame camera.
The Z5 is surprisingly well made for an entry-level model, too, meaning it’s excellent value for stills-focused users.
