Surprising Results From the Nikon Z 5 With a Kit Lens for Print

In this video, compare the Nikon Z 5 with a kit lens to the Nikon Z 7 with the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 for print results. Is there as much difference as you would think, or would you be happy with the entry-level camera and the kit lens?

There is a lot of advice and many different opinions on kit lenses. Traditionally, it has been fair to say that kit lenses were lackluster in quality. Ironically, my most successful image was taken with a kit lens, and while under certain circumstances they can do a job, they would struggle in many other areas. However, as time has gone on, kit lenses have become far better and now they are at a stage where if you do not need a fast lens or a far-reaching one, they could be a viable option.

In this video, Nigel Danson compares the entry-level Nikon Z 5 mirrorless body with its 24-megapixel sensor and the Nikon Z 7 mirrorless body with its 45.7-megapixel sensor. However, on the Z 5 it is paired with the kit lens you can get as part of the deal, a 24-70mm f/4, and with the Z 7, it is paired with the well-received Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8. The Z 5 and kit lens combination is around $1,800, the Z 7 and premium lens is around $5,300, so the financial outlay is markedly different.

Nevertheless, once the images taken in the same place, under the same conditions, are printed (and print rather large), the differences are unexpectedly minimal. The resolution of a sensor is typically overstated in these matters, but I did expect the lenses to have a larger chasm between them. What do you think of the difference?