I took the Nikon Z5II for a spin in NYC before its release, and the camera’s fast performance and 3D Tracking worked well for street photography. Read on for my first impressions.
The Z5II is Nikon’s newest camera. It’s the first update to the Z 5 from 2020 and is similar in concept and execution to the original. The Z5II is suitable for novice to intermediate photographers, with a large full-frame sensor, a sturdier build than most starter cameras, and the reliable performance Nikon users expect.
I had the opportunity to use a preproduction Z5II for an afternoon photo walk along New York’s High Line. The camera wasn’t quite finalized, but even so, I didn’t run into any noticeable quirks or issues. I’ll put together a full review once I’ve tried a Z5II from the production line, but in the meantime, I have some first impressions to share. Concept: Entry Level, But Better
The original Z 5 debuted at $1,399.95, at the time an aggressively low price for a full-frame camera, especially one with an oversized viewfinder, weather protection, and dual memory card slots, features typically reserved for upmarket models. The Z5II builds on this foundation, bettering the original with a brighter viewfinder, a fully articulating rear monitor, and an upgraded 24MP BSI CMOS sensor and Expeed 7 processor. It debuts at a higher starting price, $1,699.95 as a body only.
The upgrades most notably result in snappier performance. The Z5II feels just as responsive as the upper-end models in the line and supports the advanced focus modes we’ve seen in pro-level cameras like the Z6III ($2,499.95) and the Z 8 ($3,999.95). The Z5II supports 3D Tracking, a mode that follows moving subjects through the frame and couples it with subject recognition for people, pets, vehicles, and wildlife. I didn’t have a chance to try the Z5II with a long lens for wildlife, but the camera nimbly tracked pedestrians walking along the High Line, locking focus on their eyes.
Calling the Z5II a «baby Z6III» feels appropriate. Many of the Z6III’s key features trickle down, and the body styles are quite similar. Not every feature is included; the Z5II doesn’t support 6K video, and its electronic shutter doesn’t freeze motion with the same aplomb as the Z6III’s unique Partially Stacked architecture.
