Nikon has announced the Z 5, its new, full-frame, entry-level mirrorless camera. It will be available to purchase from August for just $1,399, making it $400 cheaper than the Z 6.
The Z 5 features a 24-megapixel full-frame sensor, a 3.69 million-dot Quad-VGA viewfinder, and a 3.2-inch touchscreen, which tilts, but does not fully flip around. It shoots 4K video with a 1.7x crop and lacks the top panel display of its siblings. However, unlike the Z 6 and Z 7, it includes dual UHS-II SD card slots.
The ISO range reaches 51,200 and expands to 102,400, has a shutter speed of up to 1/8,000, and can shoot raw at 4.5 frames per second.
Notably, the Z 5 features IBIS — “In-body 5-Axis VR stabilization” — giving it an edge over Canon’s full-frame budget shooter, the EOS RP, which admittedly is currently $400 cheaper and almost a third lighter.
The new camera contains an EXPEED 6 processor and features Eye-Detect autofocus which will work on both human and animal subjects.
The Z 5 is powered by the new EN-EL15c battery, which Nikon claims will offer improved performance. It’s not stated in the press release, but one would imagine that the Z 5 also accepts the EN-EL15b batteries used in the Z 6 and Z 7. The Z 5 can also be powered via the USB port, and the USB-C connectivity means that the camera can be used as a webcam.
Nikon states that the Z 5 has the same rugged build as its mirrorless predecessors, which suggests that beyond the burst speed, video capabilities, and the step down to UHS-II SD cards, there are not many compromises being made.
New Lens and Teleconverters
Tying in with the diminutive size of the Z 5, Nikon has also announced a super-compact kit lens, the Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3, which is less than two inches long when retracted and features weather-sealing. On its own, the lens will cost $399.95, but can be purchased as a bundle with the Z 5 for $1,699.
In addition, Nikon has announced two teleconverters: the TC-1.4X ($549) and TC-2.0X ($599), also available in late August.
Will you be adding the Z 5 to your arsenal? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
"making it $600 cheaper than the Z 6." with a link to a price that is $400 cheaper.
The Z6 has been on permanent sale of $1800 for months.
buy a couple of xqd cards for the z6, and it will add 2/300 dollars to the price
I use my Z6 for video. It only sees SSDs attached to the Ninja V.
1TB of XQD cards is ~$300 more than the Ninja plus 1TB SSD, batteries, cables, etc.
And there we go, 30 years of Canon and weeks after the R5 release I find myself looking at what the competition is up to. This Z5 seem to have what most the video guys need for their youtube channels but for less than $1400.00
Yea, but it will not be $1400 -ish.
This Z5 is a halo camera.
Had some serious typos on my previous reply, fixed it now.
I agree that Nikon putting this out is a great move.
I do however disagree that it is pricey - I think the body is priced right considering what you get, the lenses will be something to watch.
I don't have a Youtube channel, but I imagine that a flipping screen is what they're after. This one doesn't have it :)
I was wondering what the significant differences were.
doesn't have a BSI sensor so I would wait and see how it performs in low light relative to its peers
I would think similar to D750, maybe a little better with updated processor.
looks like this might be my first nikon Mirrorless camera.