Nikon Z5 II Real-World Review: Is This the Best Value Full Frame Camera Right Now?

The Nikon Z5 II sits at the entry-level end of Nikon's full frame mirrorless lineup, but calling it "entry-level" undersells it fast. This camera carries specs that would have turned heads on a flagship body just a few years ago, and at its price point, it's hard to ignore.

Coming to you from Mitch Lally, this hands-on video puts the Nikon Z5 II through real portrait shoots and everyday use over a couple of weeks, paired with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S. Lally runs through the sensor, autofocus system, burst speed, video capabilities, and what it's like to actually hold and shoot with this camera day to day. The Z5 II uses a 24-megapixel backside-illuminated sensor with subject detection across nine categories, autofocus that reaches down to -10 EV in low light, and a burst speed of 14 frames per second, up from 4.5 fps on the original Z5. That jump comes directly from the new processor, which also drives the faster, more reliable autofocus.

On the video side, the Z5 II shoots 4K UHD at 60p with a crop and 4K at 30p with no crop. It supports 10-bit 4:2:2 in N-Log and, notably, 12-bit raw video recorded internally to SD cards without needing an external recorder. Lally points out that this is the first mirrorless camera he's covered that shoots raw video internally, which is a meaningful capability at this price. The electronic viewfinder is another standout: it hits 3,000 nits, three times the brightness of the original Z5, and Lally found it genuinely easy to use in harsh sunlight during outdoor portrait sessions.

One of the more interesting points Lally raises is lens compatibility. Nikon Z mount bodies can adapt Sony E-mount lenses through a slim adapter, and reports suggest the autofocus performance with those adapted lenses is strong. Given the size of Sony's lens ecosystem, this potentially gives Z mount users access to an unusually wide range of glass, from budget-friendly options to high-end primes that don't exist natively on Nikon. Lally also touches on Nikon's NX Studio software, which lets you build custom in-camera JPEG profiles with control over highlights, shadows, HSL, and curves. It goes deeper than Fujifilm's film simulations, though it won't replace Photoshop or Lightroom if you rely on AI-powered tools like generative remove or generative expand. The camera uses dual UHS-II SD card slots rather than CFexpress, which is worth knowing if you shoot sports or wildlife and need a deep buffer, though Lally didn't hit any bottlenecks during portrait work.

Lally also covers the physical controls, the handling for larger hands, the flip screen versus tilt screen tradeoff, the build quality under wet conditions, and his take on where this camera fits against competitors like the Canon EOS R8, Lumix S5 II, and Sony a7C II. He also previews a full review of the 24-70mm f/2.8 coming to the channel. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Lally.