The Nikon Z 5: How Good Is Nikon's Entry Full Frame Mirrorless Model?

The Nikon Z 5 is the company's entry-level full frame mirrorless model, and it offers all the benefits of the Z mount at a more affordable price. Does it hold up in practice despite its budget price? This great video review takes a look at how it performs.

Coming to you from Matt Irwin Photography, this video review takes a look at the Nikon Z 5 mirrorless camera. Despite being $1,396, the Z 5 offers all the advantages of the large Z mount and a modern full frame sensor, though of course, to get to that price, it does have tradeoffs in other areas. Its features include:

  • 24.3-megapixel sensor
  • ISO range of 100-51,200
  • 273 AF points
  • Continuous burst rate of 4.5 fps
  • 4K video at up to 30 fps
  • 3.6-million-dot OLED EVF
  • 3.2-inch, 1.04-million-dot tilting rear touchscreen
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
  • Magnesium alloy body with weather- and dust-sealing
  • 5-axis sensor shift Vibration Reduction that offers up to five stops of compensation
  • Dual UHS-II SD card slots

Altogether, the Z 5 certainly has some compromises in areas like action shooting and more advanced video, but on the other hand, it looks to be a balanced entry-level camera suitable as a first full frame body or a backup camera. Check out the video above for Irwin's full thoughts. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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4 Comments

I picked up a Z5 over the holidays as a family and travel camera. I had my heart set on a Z6 II, but for the type of shooting I now do (family/travel), the Z5 fits the bill. The extra money saved went towards a 50 1.8 S. The image output is excellent, and all of the modern feature updates (from my D800) and mirrorless advantages are welcome.

"Budget price" hahaha a $1,400 camera is about $900 over what most people will be spending on a budget camera.

Yea right..too expensive

It appears to be camera shake