The Nikon Z 5 is a fantastic mirrorless camera for beginners and enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality without the bulk. This versatile camera features a powerful 24-megapixel sensor for sharp photos and impressive low-light performance. Plus, it has a user-friendly design, excellent battery life, and a vari-angle touchscreen for easy framing and vlogging, making it a great all-around choice for content creators on the go!
Key Features
Model No: 1649
- 24.3MP FX-Format CMOS Sensor
- EXPEED 6 Image Processor
- UHD 4K and Full HD Video Recording
- 3.6m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
- 3.2″ 1.04m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
- 5-Axis Sensor-Shift Vibration Reduction
- ISO 100-51200, Up to 4.5 fps Shooting
- Built-In Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Dual SD UHS-II Card Slots
- REVIEW
- SPECS
Nikon Z 5: A Compact Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera for Aspiring Photographers
The Nikon Z 5 is a compact and capable full-frame mirrorless camera designed for aspiring photographers looking to upgrade from smartphones or basic point-and-shoot cameras. It offers a well-rounded feature set for stills and video, making it suitable for capturing everyday moments, travel adventures, or creative projects.
Full-Frame Sensor and Image Quality
The Z 5 features a 24.3-megapixel FX-format (full-frame) CMOS sensor. This sensor size delivers sharp and detailed images, particularly in good lighting. While the sensor size is smaller than some medium format cameras, it offers a good balance between image quality, low-light performance, and portability. The camera’s EXPEED 6 image processor ensures acceptable image processing speeds for everyday photography.
Fast Hybrid Autofocus and Continuous Shooting
The Z 5 boasts a fast and accurate hybrid autofocus system with 273 phase-detection points covering a wide area of the frame. This system focuses quickly on subjects, even when they’re moving, making it suitable for capturing everyday moments or active pets. The camera also offers continuous shooting speeds of up to 4.5 frames per second, which allows you to capture bursts of action.
Compact and Weather-Sealed Design
One of the biggest strengths of the Z 5 is its compact and lightweight design. It’s significantly smaller and lighter than most DSLR cameras, making it ideal for travel, everyday carry, or situations where you don’t want to be weighed down by heavy gear. The camera body is also weather-sealed, offering protection from dust and moisture, allowing you to shoot with confidence in various outdoor conditions.
Tilting Touchscreen LCD and Electronic Viewfinder
The Z 5 features a high-resolution 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen LCD monitor that allows for comfortable framing from different angles and intuitive touch controls for navigating menus and selecting focus points. An electronic viewfinder (EVF) is also included for composing shots or shooting in bright conditions.
Video Recording Capabilities
The Z 5 offers 4K UHD video recording at up to 30 frames per second, allowing you to capture high-resolution videos for social media or personal projects. While not the most advanced video camera on the market, it provides a good balance for photographers who want to dabble in videography alongside still photography.
Is the Nikon Z 5 Right for You?
The Nikon Z 5 is a good choice for beginner photographers who want to step up from smartphone photography and explore the world of full-frame mirrorless cameras. Its compact size, good image quality, user-friendly features, and weather sealing make it a versatile and portable option for everyday shooting. However, photographers seeking the absolute best image quality, high-speed continuous shooting, or more advanced video features might consider higher-end Nikon Z series cameras.
In Conclusion
The price of the Nikon Z 5 has become older and cheaper since its release. This, along with its well-rounded feature set, makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious photographers looking for a full-frame camera. It’s important to consider that newer Nikon Z series models might offer improved features or video capabilities.
Specifications
| Lens Mount | Nikon Z |
| Sensor Type | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full-Frame) CMOS |
| Sensor Resolution | Actual: 24.93 Megapixel Effective: 24.3 Megapixel (6016 x 4016) |
| Crop Factor | NaN |
| Aspect Ratio | 1:1, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Image File Format | JPEG, Raw |
| Bit Depth | 14-Bit |
| Image Stabilization | Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis |
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 100 to 51200 (Extended: 50 to 102400) |
| Shutter Speed | Electronic Front Curtain Shutter 1/8000 to 30 Second Bulb Mode |
| Metering Method | Center-Weighted Average, Matrix |
| Exposure Modes | Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority |
| Exposure Compensation | -5 to +5 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps) |
| Metering Range | -3 to 17 EV |
| White Balance | Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Preset Manual, Shade |
| Continuous Shooting | Up to 4.5 fps at 24.3 MP |
| Interval Recording | Yes |
| Self-Timer | 2/10-Second Delay |
| Recording Modes | H.264/MOV/MP4 UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p |
| External Recording Modes | 8-Bit UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) up to 29.97p |
| Recording Limit | Up to 29 Minutes, 59 Seconds |
| Video Encoding | NTSC/PAL |
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto/Manual: 100 to 25600 |
| Audio Recording | Built-In Microphone (Stereo) External Microphone Input |
| Audio File Format | AAC, Linear PCM |
| Focus Type | Auto and Manual Focus |
| Focus Mode | Continuous-Servo AF (C), Full-Time Servo (F), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S) |
| Autofocus Points | Phase Detection: 273 |
| Autofocus Sensitivity | 3 to +19 EV |
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 100 to 51200 (Extended: 50 to 102400) |
| Shutter Speed | Electronic Front Curtain Shutter 1/8000 to 30 Second Bulb Mode |
| Metering Method | Center-Weighted Average, Matrix |
| Exposure Modes | Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority |
| Exposure Compensation | -5 to +5 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps) |
| Metering Range | -3 to 17 EV |
| White Balance | Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Preset Manual, Shade |
| Continuous Shooting | Up to 4.5 fps at 24.3 MP |
| Interval Recording | Yes |
| Self-Timer | 2/10-Second Delay |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic (OLED) |
| Viewfinder Size | 0.5″ |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 3,690,000 Dot |
| Viewfinder Eye Point | 21 mm |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 1 |
| Viewfinder Magnification | Approx. 0.8x |
| Diopter Adjustment | -4 to +2 |
| Size | 3.2″ |
| Resolution | 1,040,000 Dot |
| Display Type | Tilting Touchscreen LCD |
| Built-In Flash | No |
| Flash Modes | First-Curtain Sync, Off, Rear Curtain Sync/Red-Eye Reduction, Rear Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-Eye Reduction |
| Maximum Sync Speed | 1/200 Second |
| Flash Compensation | -3 to +1 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps) |
| Dedicated Flash System | iTTL |
| External Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| Media/Memory Card Slot | Dual Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) |
| Connectivity | 3.5mm Headphone, 3.5mm Microphone, HDMI C (Mini), USB Type-C (USB 3.1) |
| Wireless | Bluetooth Wi-Fi |
| GPS | No |
| Operating Temperature | 32 to 104 F / 0 to 40 C |
| Operating Humidity | 0 to 85% |
| Battery | 1 x EN-EL15c Rechargeable Lithium-Ion (Approx. 470 Shots) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 5.28 x 3.96 x 2.74″ / 134 x 100.5 x 69.5 mm |
| Weight | 1.3 lb / 590 g (Body Only) |
| Package Weight | 3.05 lb |
| Box Dimensions (LxWxH) | 8.4 x 7.3 x 5.4″ |