Nikon Z5 II: Pro-Grade Performance, Now Available
Nikon Z5 II: Pro-Grade Performance at an Accessible Price
Nikon has unveiled the Z5 II, a full-frame mirrorless camera boasting significant performance upgrades over its predecessor. Launching in April 2025, the Z5 II will retail for $1,699.95 (body only), $1,999.95 (with Nikkor Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens), and $2,499.95 (with Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens).
Powered by Nikon's EXPEED 7 image-processing engine (shared with the Z8 and Z9), the Z5 II features a 24-megapixel, full-frame, backside-illuminated sensor. This combination delivers exceptional low-light performance, with autofocus capabilities down to -10 EV and a native ISO range of 100-64,000 for photos and 100-51,200 for video (expandable to ISO 204,800 equivalent for photos and ISO 51,200 for video). Features like Starlight View Mode and Warm Color Display Mode further enhance low-light shooting. Extended shutter speeds reach up to 900 seconds (15 minutes) in manual mode.
The Z5 II offers class-leading autofocus, incorporating 3D tracking and a new AF-A mode—a first for a Nikon full-frame mirrorless camera—that automatically switches between AF-S and AF-C modes based on subject movement. It boasts impressive burst shooting speeds: up to 14 frames per second (fps) with a mechanical shutter (JPEG) and 11 fps (RAW), increasing to 30 fps (JPEG) and 15 fps (RAW) with the electronic shutter. Pre-release capture allows continuous shooting buffered up to a second before the shutter is pressed. In-body image stabilization provides up to 7.5 stops of compensation at the frame's center and 6 stops at the edges, further enhanced by Focus-point VR. Pixel Shift capture enables the creation of up to 96-megapixel photos using Nikon's Studio NX software.
Built for durability, the Z5 II features a magnesium alloy body with dust and drip resistance. Professional features include dual SD card slots and a dedicated Picture Control button (reprogrammable), offering access to 31 built-in color presets and downloadable Imaging Recipes. The camera boasts a significantly brighter electronic viewfinder (EVF), approximately three times brighter than the original Z5, reaching up to 3,000 nits peak brightness, and a 3.2-inch vari-angle LCD touchscreen.
Video capabilities include uncropped 4K at up to 30 fps, 60 fps with a 1.5x crop, and 120 fps in Full HD. The Z5 II supports 12-bit N-RAW, 10-bit H.265, and 8-bit H.264 video recording, with N-RAW recording to an SD card—a first for any camera. N-Log is also supported. The camera includes a dedicated "Product Mode" for streamlined product demonstrations.
Nikon has unveiled the Z5 II, a full-frame mirrorless camera boasting significant performance upgrades over its predecessor. Launching in April 2025, the Z5 II will retail for $1,699.95 (body only), $1,999.95 (with Nikkor Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens), and $2,499.95 (with Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens).
Powered by Nikon's EXPEED 7 image-processing engine (shared with the Z8 and Z9), the Z5 II features a 24-megapixel, full-frame, backside-illuminated sensor. This combination delivers exceptional low-light performance, with autofocus capabilities down to -10 EV and a native ISO range of 100-64,000 for photos and 100-51,200 for video (expandable to ISO 204,800 equivalent for photos and ISO 51,200 for video). Features like Starlight View Mode and Warm Color Display Mode further enhance low-light shooting. Extended shutter speeds reach up to 900 seconds (15 minutes) in manual mode.
The Z5 II offers class-leading autofocus, incorporating 3D tracking and a new AF-A mode—a first for a Nikon full-frame mirrorless camera—that automatically switches between AF-S and AF-C modes based on subject movement. It boasts impressive burst shooting speeds: up to 14 frames per second (fps) with a mechanical shutter (JPEG) and 11 fps (RAW), increasing to 30 fps (JPEG) and 15 fps (RAW) with the electronic shutter. Pre-release capture allows continuous shooting buffered up to a second before the shutter is pressed. In-body image stabilization provides up to 7.5 stops of compensation at the frame's center and 6 stops at the edges, further enhanced by Focus-point VR. Pixel Shift capture enables the creation of up to 96-megapixel photos using Nikon's Studio NX software.
Built for durability, the Z5 II features a magnesium alloy body with dust and drip resistance. Professional features include dual SD card slots and a dedicated Picture Control button (reprogrammable), offering access to 31 built-in color presets and downloadable Imaging Recipes. The camera boasts a significantly brighter electronic viewfinder (EVF), approximately three times brighter than the original Z5, reaching up to 3,000 nits peak brightness, and a 3.2-inch vari-angle LCD touchscreen.
Video capabilities include uncropped 4K at up to 30 fps, 60 fps with a 1.5x crop, and 120 fps in Full HD. The Z5 II supports 12-bit N-RAW, 10-bit H.265, and 8-bit H.264 video recording, with N-RAW recording to an SD card—a first for any camera. N-Log is also supported. The camera includes a dedicated "Product Mode" for streamlined product demonstrations.
