Price
The Z 5 is a more affordable camera, retailing for $1,399.95 as a body only. It’s often available on sale, and can be found secondhand or refurbished for even less. It’s also available in kits, bundled with the Z 24-50mm for $1,699.95 or with the Z 24-200mm for $2,199.95.
The Z5II debuts at a higher price, $1,799.95 as a body only, $1,999.95 with the Z 24-50mm, or $2,499.95 with the Z 24-200mm zoom.
Winner: Z 5
Image Sensor and Processor
The Z 5 uses a 24.3MP CMOS image sensor, while the Z5II upgrades to a 24.5MP BSI CMOS chip. The BSI architecture scans more quickly and gathers light more efficiently for better results at high ISO. The Z5II’s sensor and Expeed 7 image processor have already been used in the Nikon Z f, so I have a handle on expected image quality.
Nikon Z5II: Improved Autofocus & Dual SD Cards! Hands-On & Real-World Test
Put simply, you can expect the Z5II to have a one-stop advantage in noise control, which is especially handy if you make images in light that calls for ISO 3200-51200 sensitivity settings. The Z5II’s sensor is also dual gain, which means it provides a wider dynamic range than the Z 5 at moderate (ISO 800-12800) settings, so you’ll enjoy more leeway when editing Raw format images.
Both cameras include in-body image stabilization. The Z 5 is rated for 5.0 stops of compensation by CIPA (the standards organization established by Japanese camera makers), while the Z5II improves upon that and supports up to 7.5 stops. The Z5II earns its better rating with a more precise gyro and upgraded processing that ties stabilization to the active focus point.
Nikon Z 5 (Credit: Jim Fisher)
The Z 5’s Expeed 6 image processor is a generation older than the Z5II’s Expeed 7, and it shows. Generally speaking, the Z5II is faster to operate, something you’ll appreciate when taking photos and navigating menus, and the updated processor working in tandem with the improved stabilization system adds support for a 96MP multi-sampling mode.
To summarize, the Z5II’s BSI CMOS sensor improves dynamic range and noise control, comes with more effective stabilization, and has faster processing than the Z 5.
Winner: Z5II
Autofocus and Drive Speed
The Z 5 has a relatively simple autofocus system and slow drive speed. Its focus system covers nearly the entirety of the image sensor and supports face and eye detection for people and pets, which are basic features among today’s cameras. However, its continuous drive speed is a meager 4.5fps, and subject tracking requires a couple of button presses to engage, so it’s not that useful a camera for action photography.
The Z5II’s autofocus engine is upgraded to recognize more subjects, with discrete modes for bicycles and motorcycles, birds, cars, planes, and trains, in addition to people and animals. Its drive speed is tripled too; the Z5II supports 14fps JPG and 11fps Raw capture with the mechanical shutter, plus 15fps or 30fps JPG drive with a pre-capture mode using the fully electronic shutter. The tracking focus interface is also streamlined, so it’s a better pick overall for taking pictures of subjects in motion. In 3D Tracking mode, the camera locks onto and follows moving subjects without the need for additional button presses.
Winner: Z5II
Video
The Z 5’s video specs are pretty dated. It records 4K30 video with a hefty 1.5x width crop, essentially turning the full-frame sensor into an APS-C (DX) imager. Full-width recording is restricted to 1080p quality at up to 60fps. In either case, video is saved with 8-bit color sampling and H.264 encoding.
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Nikon Z5II (Credit: Jim Fisher)
In contrast, the Z5II has better-than-expected video features for a mid-entry camera. It supports full-width 4K30 and pushes 4K60 with a 1.5x width crop. Color fidelity is better, as the camera supports 10-bit H.265 and 12-bit N-Raw internally. The latter is handy for expert-level editors who can utilize the camera’s N-Log profile and Nikon’s Red Cinema LUTs to apply a creative look to footage.
Winner: Z5II
Construction
The Z 5 and the Z5II have similar build quality. Both have an internal channel that’s mostly magnesium, dual UHS-II memory card slots, plus a healthy array of function buttons, front and rear command dials, and an eight-way focus joystick. Both cameras are weather-sealed against dust and splashes, though they are not IP rated.
Nikon Z 5 (Credit: Jim Fisher)
The two cameras both use a 3.2-inch display, but the Z 5’s screen shows less detail at 1.04 million dots, versus 2.1 million for the Z5II. They also differ in hinge style. The Z 5’s display tilts on one axis, so you can pull it back from the body to tilt upward or downward only. The Z5II switches to the familiar vari-angle design that puts a dual-axis hinge at the left side. Its screen swings out to the side and twists around to face in any direction.
Both Z 5 and the Z5II use an OLED viewfinder with a large 0.80x magnification rating and 3.7 million dots of resolution. The Z5II’s viewfinder shows a brighter picture to the eye, but they are both excellent and among the best you’ll find in a camera that costs less than $2,000.
The Nikon Z5II’s controls are very similar to the Z 5, and add a Picture Control button to the top plate (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Winner: Z5II
Battery Life
Both the Z 5 and Z5II ship with the Nikon EN-EL15c battery, and work with earlier iterations of the EN-EL15 with some restrictions and shorter runtimes. The Z 5 is CIPA rated for up to 470 exposures per charge, while the Z5II is a little more power hungry and is rated for just 380 images per charge. CIPA battery ratings are notoriously conservative, so expect more in practice, but you should expect to get about 23% more use per charge from the original Z 5 in similar situations.
Winner: Z 5
Lens and Accessory Support
The Z 5 and Z5II work with the exact same set of lenses, so there’s no difference here. The cameras work natively with Z-mount lenses from Nikon and third parties, and support legacy Nikkor F-mount SLR lenses using either the FTZ or FTZ II adapter (sold separately for $249.95).
Nikon Z 5 (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Fans of vertical grips should look at the Z5II. The original Z 5 works with the MB-N10 Multi-Battery Power Pack ($199.95), which accommodates two batteries for double the runtime, but does not have a second set of controls. The Z5II works instead with the MB-N11 Power Battery Pack ($399.95), which adds a vertical handhold, an additional shutter release, an extra set of command dials, and dual battery support.
Winner: Tie
And The Winner Is…
Nikon Z5II
There’s no real competition here when it comes to technology. Aside from better battery life and a lower price, the Z 5 just doesn’t beat the Z5II in any arena. That doesn’t necessarily mean you should spend more money on the newer camera, especially if the original fulfills your creative needs. After all, the Z 5 keeps up with the Z5II in pixel count, construction quality, and feels the same in hand.
Photographers who like to take pictures that capture action or push ISO to its limits—think any type of sports photography, children and pets at play, events and street photography, or wildlife—will greatly benefit from the Z5II’s upgraded drive speed and 3D Tracking mode. The same is true for event photographers who need to make images in dimly lit environments. Likewise, for vloggers and content creators, there’s no real question; the upgrades to the video engine are more than worth the price difference.
For Z 5 owners considering an upgrade, the same logic applies. If you wish you could snap images at a faster frame rate or take advantage of the Z5II’s smarter, faster autofocus, an upgrade is in order. And if you want to do more with video recording, the Z5II is far more capable. But if you are happy with the results from the Z 5, there’s no reason to swap it out.
I’ll have more to say about how the Z5II compares with cameras from other brands, including our Editors’ Choice, the Canon EOS R8, once I’ve had a chance to complete a full review. Check back soon to find out how I think the Z5II stacks up against the rest of the market.
