Nikon Z5II First Impressions Review
Summary Verdict
The Nikon Z5II promises to be a considerable step up from the original Z5. It brings high-end features into a relatively compact, affordable full-frame camera body and shares the same 24.5MP BSI CMOS sensor and Expeed 7 processor as the Nikon Zf — a pairing that has already shown excellent results. With faster autofocus, more intelligent subject detection, upgraded video tools and thoughtful handling refinements, the Nikon Z5II could be one of the most versatile mirrorless cameras at this level. While I have yet to test it in the field, it’s shaping up to be a strong contender for everyday photography and content creation.
Score: TBC
For
Advanced autofocus system with 3D Tracking and nine subject detection types
-10EV low-light autofocus capability
30fps JPEG burst with Pre-Release Capture
Against
4K 60p footage is cropped (DX format)
What is the Nikon Z5II?
The Nikon Z5II is a full-frame mirrorless camera designed for photographers and content creators who want the image quality and control of Nikon’s higher-end models, but in a more affordable and travel-friendly package. It replaces the Z5 in Nikon’s range but builds significantly on it by adopting technology from the Nikon Z6III, Z8 and Z9. This includes a faster processor, enhanced autofocus technology and better video features. It’s designed for a broad mix of users – from upgraders to creatives looking for a reliable, all-round camera.
Nikon Z5II Price and Availability
The Z5II is expected to arrive in stores at the end of April 2025. The Nikon Z5II price is as follows:
Body only – £1599 / €1999 /US$1695.95
With 24–50mm lens – £1859
With 24–70mm f/4 lens – £2129
With 24–200mm lens – £2299
Like the original Z5, the Nikon Z5II is a relatively compact full-frame mirrorless camera.
Nikon Z5II Specifications
Camera type: Full-frame mirrorless
Announced: 3rd April 2025
Sensor: 24.5 MP full-frame (FX) BSI CMOS
Lens mount: Nikon Z
Sensitivity: Stills: ISO 100–64000, Lo 1.0, Hi 1.7, Video: ISO 100–51200, Hi 2.0
Processing engine: EXPEED 7
File format (Photo): RAW/JPEG/HEIF
Phase detection AF area: Single-point AF with 273 points / Auto-area AF with 299 points
Subject detection: People, birds, dogs, cats, cars, bicycles, motorcycles, trains, airplanes
Low light AF detection: -10 EV
Continuous shooting speed: Continuous low: 1 to 7 fps, Continuous high: 7.8 fps, Continuous high (extended): 14 fps (up to approx. 11 fps when set to 14-bit RAW), High-speed frame capture +: 30 fps (image size: Large only, Image quality: JPEG Normal only)
Vibration reduction (IBIS - In body image stabilisation): 5-axis in-body VR giving up to 7.5 stops at the centre and 6.0 stops at the periphery using Focus point VR
Shutter speed: 1/8000–30 s (extendable up to 900 s)
Video frame size and frame rate: 4K 60p (cropped) / 4K 30p, Full HD 30p / 60p / 120p
Video compression: N-RAW (Normal), H.265 / 264
Video recording mode: N-Log, HLG, SDR
Continuous video recording time: Approx. 85 mins
Monitor: Vari-angle 3.2-inch, 2100k-dot touchscreen
Viewfinder: 0.5-inch, 3690k-dot, OLED 3000 cd/m² with 60 fps refresh rate and 0.80x magnification
Storage: 2x SD (UHS-II)
Battery: EN-EL15c
Battery life: Viewfinder & Energy saving (photo mode): 380 shots
Connectivity: Wi-Fi (2.4GHz, 5GHz), Bluetooth, Nikon Imaging Cloud
Interface: USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI-D, external stereo microphone jack, remote cord headphone jack (compatible with MC-DC3 Remote Cord)
Dimensions (WxHxD): 134mm × 100.5mm × 72mm
Weight (with battery and memory card): 700g
While the Z5 had a flip screen, the Nikon Z5II has a vari-angle screen that is more versatile.
Key Features
Inside the Nikon Z5II is a 24.5MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor paired with Nikon’s latest Expeed 7 image processor. That's the same configuration as in the Nikon Zf. Compared with the original Z5, this promises improved high ISO performance, faster data handling and access to features previously only seen on Nikon’s flagship cameras.
The move from a standard CMOS sensor with the Z5 to a backside-illuminated (BSI) sensor with the Z5II, plus the upgrade to the Expeed 7 processing engine, gives the Z5II better noise control from around ISO 3200 upwards. The maximum sensitivity setting of the Z5II for stills is also ISO 64,000, up from ISO 51,200 with the Z5. Meanwhile, in video mode, the maximum is ISO 51,200, up from ISO 25,600 with the Z5.
Nikon Z5II Autofocus System
One of the most significant enhancements brought by the Z5II is the improved autofocus system, which now offers 3D Tracking and nine types of subject detection, including separate modes for people, animals, birds, vehicles and aircraft. There's a subject detection mode that looks for any of the detectable subjects, but using the specific subject mode improves its performance for that subject. The system can also identify very small subjects that fill as little as 3% of the frame.
Notably, Nikon claims the Z5II's autofocus (AF) system is 68% faster than the Z5's. Also, like the Nikon Z6III, the new camera is capable of focusing in very low light, down to -10EV, which is about the amount of light available when a half-moon illuminates a night scene.
Unlike the Z9, Z8 and Z6III, the Nikon Z5II has an intelligent Auto-AF mode in which the camera decides whether to use Single AF or Continuous AF. That's handy if you're unsure about which option you should set, or if you don't know if your subject will be still or moving.
The Z5II also has Nikon’s Focus Point VR stabilisation system, which works around the chosen AF point. That's particularly helpful for off-centre subjects as it performs better than a regular centrally-based system. It’s rated to provide up to 7.5 stops of stabilisation at the centre of the frame and 6 stops at the edges.
There's a collection of continuous shooting options available on the Z5II, with the fastest one giving 30fps (frames per second) burst shooting in JPEG mode. This drops to 14fps or 11fps when shooting raw files, with the slower rate being for 14-bit raw files. The 30fps mode comes with an additional option of Pre-Release Capture. This enables you to record images for up to a second before the shutter release is pressed fully home.
Nikon Z5II Video Features
Further good news is that the Z5II is the first Nikon camera to offer internal N-RAW video recording to SD cards. It can also shoot 10-bit N-Log footage for post-production grading. While 4K 60p still comes with a crop, 4K 30p is full-frame and Full HD 120p is available for smooth slow motion.
Like the Nikon Z50II, the Z5II has a Product Review Mode for video. This makes the camera focus on an object held up to the lens, prioritising the subject rather than the presenter's eyes.
In addition, the Z5II has Nikon's High-Res Zoom function which uses the camera's maximum video resolution (4K) to create Full HD video with the ability to zoom in and out smoothly by 2x. In-camera controls allow you to set the speed of the zoom effect.
Nikon has given the Z5II USB streaming ability, which means it can be used as a high-quality webcam just by connecting it to a smartphone, tablet or computer using a USB-C cable. There's no need for any additional software.
As with the Z5, there are dual SD card slots, both of which are UHS-II compatible, and the camera supports Nikon’s Imaging Cloud for automatic firmware updates and cloud backup.
Apart from the addition of the Picture Control button to the right of the exposure mode dial, the Nikon Z5II’s top plate controls are arranged in the same way as the original Z5’s.
Build and Handling
According to Nikon’s figures, at 134 x 100.5 x 72mm (WxHxD), the Z5II is 2.5mm deeper than the camera it replaces. That's likely because Nikon reworked the grip for the Z5II to make it deeper and more comfortable to use with long lenses.
Also, at 700g with a battery and card, the Z5II weighs 25g more than the Z5. That extra weight can be attributed to the new camera's better weather sealing and more robust magnesium alloy build. I'm told the Z5II is sealed to the same level as the Z6III.
Other subtle refinements to the Z5II include reorganising the button layout to match Nikon’s newer mirrorless cameras, making it feel more consistent if you’re swapping between a couple of cameras. The drive mode and playback buttons have swapped positions compared to the Z5, so the drive button is on the top-left corner of the back of the camera (as on the Z6III), while the playback button is in the bottom-right corner.
Meanwhile, the top plate of the Z5II is almost identical to the Z5 apart from adding a new Picture Control button next to the exposure mode dial on the Z5II. This button gives a quick route to the Picture Control options, encouraging photographers and content creators to capture images with the colour, sharpness and contrast that they want at the shooting stage.
The Z5II’s new Picture Control button lets you access the colour, contrast and sharpness controls quickly so you can tailor the look of your images and video to suit the subject, the shooting conditions and/or your mood.
The joystick and dual dials are still in the same place, and (also as before) there are three custom modes on the exposure mode dial. Those custom modes are handy if you regularly switch between the same shooting setups.
While the back of the Z5II has the same control arrangement as the Z6III, there is a difference on the top-plate as the Z6III's exposure mode dial is to the left of the viewfinder and the Z5II's is on the right. This difference is down to the presence of the secondary display screen on the top-right of the Z6III.
The Nikon Z5II's vari-angle rear screen is a big improvement over the Z5’s tilting design, and now boasts a 3.2-inch panel with 2.1 million dots (up from 1,040,000 dots on the Z5). It’s paired with a 3000-nit electronic viewfinder, which should provide excellent visibility in bright conditions. That brightness matches that of the viewfinders in the Z8 and Z9, but is trumped by the Z6III’s 4000-nit viewfinder.
Nikon’s Touch-Fn interface means the vari-angle touchscreen can be used to change settings or move the focus point while looking in the viewfinder. The Information menu and the onscreen display setting displays can also rotate between landscape and portrait orientation for easier viewing when you're shooting upright images. Notably, the main menu does not rotate.
For those who like nighttime or astro photography, there’s a Starlight View mode which boosts the display to make the image easier to compose. It also turns the menu red to protect your night vision.
The Nikon Z5II has two SD card slots, both are compatible with UHS-II media.
Performance
I haven’t had the chance to test the Nikon Z5II yet, but as it uses the same sensor and processor as the Zf, its performance expectations are high. The Zf delivers excellent image quality, with clean, detailed results across most of the ISO range.
The Z5II’s Expeed 7 processor is said to bring better noise handling and colour processing than the Z5, with greater clarity and less chroma noise at higher ISO settings. Dynamic range should also be very good, offering scope for shadow recovery and highlight control in post-processing — something Nikon’s recent full-frame cameras have done well.
Stabilisation is another area where the Z5II promises an upgrade. The Z5 already delivered sharp handheld images at 1/6 sec with the 24–50mm kit lens, but the Z5II’s Focus Point VR system could make compositions with off-centre subjects more stable at slower shutter speeds.
One of the Z5’s main limitations was its autofocus system in low light and fast-paced situations. The Z5II looks set to change that thanks to a system derived from the Zf, Z6III, Z8 and Z9. With nine detection modes and 3D Tracking included, it promises to be far better at locking onto subjects and keeping focus, even when they move unpredictably.
Furthermore, the Z5II’s AF system is sensitive down to -10EV, which should allow it to function in near darkness.
The original Z5’s video performance was hampered by a significant crop of its 4K footage and the lack of a vari-angle screen. Both of those have been addressed in the Z5II (at least when shooting 4K 30p), which should mean it's a far more capable hybrid camera.
Additional features like High-Res Zoom and improved Electronic VR should also make handheld shooting more fluid and Product Review Mode will be useful for some vloggers, reviewers and creators. USB-C streaming makes it easy to use the Z5II as a webcam too.
Nikon has given the Z5II a deeper grip than the original S5 to make the new camera more comfortable to use with long lenses.
Nikon Z5II Sample Images
These images were provided by Nikon.
The Nikon Z5II looks set to be a reliable low-light camera.
The Z5II’s subject detection system is said to be more effective than the original Z5’s.
The Nikon Z5II has a dedicated Animal detection mode that should prove helpful in situations like this.
The Z5II’s Starlight View mode should make it easier to compose images like this while its red menu display protects your night vision.
Fast autofocusing and high frame-rate shooting should enable spontaneous image capture.
A full-frame sensor and a wide aperture allows you to separate a subject like this from its background.
Early Verdict
The Nikon Z5II is shaping up to be an excellent full-frame mirrorless camera for those who want serious features in a compact, affordable package. It maintains the core strengths of the Z5, like portability, build quality, and dual card slots, but it also addresses its shortcomings with faster autofocus, improved stabilisation, and much stronger video options.
Crucially, the new camera remains attractively priced and offers more than we might expect from an ‘entry-level’ full-frame camera.
While I have yet to test the Z5II, everything about it suggests it will be a versatile and dependable camera for a wide range of shooting scenarios. Whether you're photographing fast-moving subjects, working in low light, filming content for social media, or just enjoying day-to-day photography, the Z5II looks like it can handle it.
I’ll update this review once I’ve had hands-on time with a final sample.
