Today Nikon unveiled its third Z-series full-frame camera, the Nikon Z5. Featuring most of the features from the Z6, as well as dual SD card slots in a lightweight magnesium-alloy body, the Z5 is a highly capable entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera. And with its very attractive price of $1,300, it is the camera many Nikon shooters have been waiting for.
Similar to the Z6, the Nikon Z5 also features a 24 MP CMOS sensor (although it is not a BSI CMOS sensor). It has the same EXPEED 6 image processor, in-body image stabilization, autofocus system, 3.2″ tilting touchscreen, similar 3.69 MP OLED EVF, and a practically identical layout of the camera back:
Despite being a lower-end camera, it is fully weather-sealed like the Z6 and Z7 cameras against dust and moisture. The ergonomics of the camera are very similar, with a few notable changes. Although the camera has a deep and comfortable grip, the top of the camera is missing an LCD screen – the PASM dial has been moved in its place instead, as shown below:
Nikon got a lot of heat for having a single memory card on the Z6 and Z7 cameras, so the Z5 now comes with dual SD cards, both of which are compatible with UHS-II standard:
Nikon has also updated the battery on the Z5, which comes with the modified EN-EL15C that is supposed to deliver better battery life – 470 shots when using the LCD and 390 shots when using the EVF.
When it comes to video features, the Z5 is able to shoot 4K videos at up to 30 FPS with a 1.7x crop (no crop on Full HD). A microphone and a headphone sockets are included for external audio and monitoring. The 4K crop is a bummer, but I guess video was not a priority for Nikon when designing the Z5.
Along with the Z5, Nikon has also announced a pancake-style 24-50mm zoom lens, as well as two teleconverters (1.4x and 2x).
Great job Nikon! This is a killer camera at a killer price! I expect the Z5 to sell extremely well in the next few years, especially considering COVID 19 and the current economic conditions.
Official Press Release
Below is the official press release from Nikon:
EMBARK ON THE FULL-FRAME MIRRORLESS JOURNEY: NIKON UNVEILS THE Z 5, AN INNOVATIVE AND FEATURE-RICH MIRRORLESS FX-FORMAT CAMERA FOR EMERGING CREATORS
Nikon Expands the NIKKOR Z Lens Lineup with the Addition of the Extremely Compact and Versatile NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 as well as the new Z TELECONVERTER TC-2.0X and TC-1.4X; Nikon Also Announces Free Webcam Utility
MELVILLE, NY (July 21, 2020) – Today, Nikon Inc. announced the Z 5, the new full-frame (FX-format) entry-point into its award-winning lineup of Z series mirrorless cameras. The Nikon Z 5 combines sophisticated features inherited from the Z 7 and Z 6 with the benefits of Nikon’s next generation Z mount at an unprecedented value. For those new to mirrorless or creators looking to push the limits of their craft with the power of full-frame, the compact Z 5 will exceed expectations. With an incredibly robust feature set, including in-camera vibration reduction (VR) image stabilization (IBIS) and the perfect balance of seamless automation and full manual control, creators can effortlessly share their artistic passions, travel adventures and so much more.
Nikon also unveiled the new NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3, the shortest, lightest and most affordable full-frame zoom lens in the NIKKOR Z lineup. Designed for on-the-go creators, the 24-50mm lens is the ideal companion for Z series users who want to capture it all – from vast landscapes and cityscapes, to street photography and striking portraits.
“The Nikon Z 5 offers the next generation of creators a gateway into the full-frame Z series lineup, opening the door to the limitless possibilities of mirrorless photo and video capture, while providing the means to share their creativity with others,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. “With the addition of the NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3, Nikon is introducing the smallest full-frame NIKKOR Z lens to date, providing an extremely lightweight, versatile option to help users pursue all creative endeavors, regardless of which Z series camera they use.”
Nikon Z 5: The Full-Frame Journey Starts Here
As the new entry point to Nikon’s full-frame mirrorless lineup, the Nikon Z 5 offers a lot of power and capabilities at an attractive price, empowering the next generation to begin their journey with the confidence to learn and grow as creators.* Incredible Image Quality: Featuring a powerful FX-format 24.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, the Z 5 is the gateway to the benefits of full-frame, helping creators to capture intensely detailed images, ultra-shallow depth of field and clean low-light shots with unrivaled consistency. From portraits that flatter, nighttime landscapes that astound and street shots that impress, the gorgeous tones, faithful colors, minimal noise, and revered Nikon color science all play a part to help users capture images that are true to their vision.
* High Speed Performance and Processing: Engineered with the EXPEED 6, Nikon’s fastest image processor to date, the Z 5 is a dependable, high-performance tool designed for content creation. EXPEED 6 allows for a boost in processing power and energy efficiency while rendering subtle textures and small details with amazing results.
* Stellar Low-Light Performance: With an ISO range up to 51,200 (expandable to 102,400), the camera effectively reduces noise, maintaining both high sensitivity and resolution to excel in low-light situations, making it ideal for shooting everything from low-light events to an all-nighter under the Milky Way.
* Capture with Speed: With shutter speeds up to 1/8000, the Z 5 can capture fast-moving subjects with clarity including fast-action sports and wildlife. This higher maximum shutter speed enables photographers to better tame even the brightest mid-day light to unleash the potential of fast-aperture NIKKOR glass. When the moment strikes, the camera can also capture full resolution bursts at 4.5 fps with full AF/AE.
* Silent and Smooth: The combination of the camera’s silent photography mode and In-Body 5-Axis VR stabilization provides quiet, stable shooting to document sensitive moments without distractions.
* Vast Lens Selection: Whether shooting glamorous portraits from a studio on the sidewalk, long-distance wildlife, epic wide landscapes in the field or street photography, the growing lineup of NIKKOR Z lenses provides Z 5 users the versatility to capture incredible shots with sharpness across the frame and superior light gathering in any situation. For even more flexibility, the vast array of traditional F-mount NIKKOR lenses can be used via the Mount Adapter FTZ to enhance images with a unique focal length or beautiful bokeh, while gaining the benefits of in-body stabilization.
* Dual UHS-II SD Card Slots: Equipped with two UHS-II card slots for overflow, backup or separating RAW and JPEG photos, the Z 5 enables photographers to shoot with extreme confidence when using widely available consumer SD cards.
Simple Yet Sophisticated for Expanding Creativity
A great option for emerging creators getting started, the Nikon Z 5 is packed with powerful tools and user-friendly controls to help users explore and capture their artistry with ease.* Focus Anywhere: The Z 5 boasts 273 on-sensor AF points, to quickly and accurately track subjects throughout the frame, while Eye-Detection AF capabilities help precisely capture the eyes of humans and animals. The wide array of AF points covers nearly the entire frame, and multiple AF modes allows the user to have pinpoint control or fully automatic assurance to easily lock onto a subject.
* Easily Shift Gears: The Nikon Z 5 offers the ability to effortlessly switch between manual mode for the ultimate in control, as well as a large variety of automatic creative modes to help mirrorless users capture truly distinct images and video.
* Creativity Built-in: Equipped with 20 Creative Picture Controls, and advanced features like Focus Shift Shooting and multiple exposure mode, users can compose unique images, produce extraordinary depth of field, or combine several shots and layer images on top of each other with the in-camera image overlay function.
* Advanced Video Capture: The Z 5 makes it easy to document any creative vision in 4K UHD/30p or in 1080/60p (full-frame). When recording video, the PDAF system is rapid to react, allowing users to quickly lock critical focus on subjects, and is fully customizable to fit any production style. In-camera VR image stabilization and electronic VR reliably eliminate the shake when shooting video, plus users get the added benefit of focus peaking and the ability to capture stills while recording.
* Flexible Recording Modes: In addition to the traditional interval timer and in-camera time-lapse modes, the Nikon Z 5 is equipped with a new Time-Lapse Movie mode that gives users the best of both worlds for more streamlined movie making – the ability to use images from interval timer mode and create a time-lapse in-camera.
* Unique Lighting Options: For enhanced creative control, the camera features a hot shoe, and is fully compatible with the Nikon Speedlight wireless lighting system.
* Get Connected: The Nikon SnapBridge app makes it easy to remotely control the Z 5 or seamlessly transfer and share content to a smartphone, tablet, Mac, or PC thanks to built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Rugged Reliability and Engineered for Versatility
In addition to providing high-quality imaging capabilities, the Nikon Z 5 is compact and comfortable in-hand while promising the rugged reliability as well as innovative features and controls that Nikon is known for.* Legendary Nikon Build: Designed with a durable, weather-sealed exterior for worry-free use, the Z 5 employs the same magnesium alloy shell and robustness as the Z 6 and Z 7. Both the camera and NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens are built with consideration for dust and drip resistance and are ready to tackle the next adventure.
* Functional Operability: The camera sports a powerful, high-resolution 3.2-inch LCD monitor with the capabilities to tilt, touch, tap, swipe, and pinch for an intuitive and flexible user-experience. Meanwhile, the 3.6M-dot Quad-VGA EVF ensures users can see exposure, ISO, white balance and creative picture controls in real time, making the transition from optical viewfinders seamless for new mirrorless shooters.
* Packed with Power: Powered by the new EN-EL15c battery, the Z 5 offers significant advancements in the number of shots per charge and is the first Nikon camera to enable constant power through the USB port, even with select portable USB power banks[6]. For added power and grip, the camera is also compatible with the MB-N10 hot-swappable battery pack.
* Webcam Ready: When connected via the USB-C cord, the Z 5 can be used as a webcam, making the camera a great option for modern vloggers, influencers and gamers looking to improve their livestreaming capabilities.
NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3: Portable, Yet Powerful
The NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 is the latest addition to the rapidly expanding lineup of NIKKOR Z lenses and is the smallest FX-format NIKKOR Z lens yet. Optically designed to take advantage of the advancements of the wide Z mount, this lens delivers sharpness across the entire frame and a versatile zoom range for everyday use. The 24-50mm is less than three inches long when retracted, making it the perfect lens for shooters seeking a versatile yet compact option for lightweight travel and street photography. When used together, the Z 5 and 24-50mm lens are the ideal discrete travel kit that can easily be packed and carried for all-day adventures. This compact NIKKOR Z lens is also an enticing option for Z 6 and Z 7 users who want a small all-around lens for portraits, landscapes, and street photography.New Z Teleconverters Take NIKKOR Z Lenses to New Lengths
Designed for photographers and videographers who need more telephoto reach in their kit, the new Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4X and Z TELECONVERTER TC-2.0X bring added versatility with 1.4x and 2.0x magnification to select NIKKOR Z lenses. These lightweight teleconverters are great tools for those photographing sports, wildlife and aviation, reducing the need to crop images and allowing for tighter compositions with maximum resolution.The new TC-1.4X and TC-2.0X teleconverters maintain superior rendering performance and minimize various lens aberrations, while retaining focusing speed, VR functionality and minimum focusing distance. As an added benefit, the new teleconverters allow Nikon Z series cameras to retain functionality on all focus points up to f/11, making it easy to focus on and track subjects throughout the entire frame. Featuring the same robust construction as NIKKOR Z lenses, the teleconverters are designed with a fluorine coating on the front and rear elements to resist dirt and smudges, and offer a durable, weather-sealed body to protect against the elements.
When the teleconverters are used with the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S (availability scheduled for late August), the focal length on the telephoto end is extended to 280mm (1.4x) or 400mm (2.0x) producing a significant expansion of this telephoto lens’ shooting range. These new teleconverters will also be compatible with applicable interchangeable lenses for Nikon Z mount mirrorless cameras that Nikon will release in the future.
New Webcam Utility Software for Nikon Cameras
In August, Nikon will release a beta version of the Webcam Utility software for many Nikon DSLR and Z series mirrorless cameras, including the new Z 5. Initially available for Windows 10, the free software will allow compatible Nikon cameras to be used as webcams. When connected via USB, this free software will provide users with incredible sharpness, clarity and flattering depth of field for all of their livestreaming needs including teleconferencing and gaming.For more information on how to use your Nikon camera as a webcam, please visit https://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/live-streaming-with-nikon-cameras.page
Pricing and Availability
The Nikon Z 5 will be available in August in several configurations, including body-only for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $1,399.95*, a one-lens kit with the new NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 for an SRP of $1,699.95* and a one-lens kit with the NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens for an SRP of $2,199.95* for those seeking extra reach when photographing wildlife or travel adventures. Also available in August, the NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens can be purchased separately for an SRP of $399.95*. The new Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4X and TC-2.0X will have an SRP of $549.95 and $599.95 respectively and will be available in late August.For more information on the latest Nikon products, including the new Z 5 and NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens, as well as the full Nikon Z mount system, please visit www.nikonusa.com.
Official Nikon Videos
Pre-Order Links
If you would like to pre-order the Nikon Z5, you can support our efforts by buying from the links below:
I think, Nikon is moving in the right direction with dual memory slots. Hopefully we can expect another sd slot in Z6/Z7. In terms of the Z mount, Nikon got it right.
I have seen that F Mount lenses focuses very slow with FTZ adaptor. Don’t know if Nikon would be able to improve it or is it a hardware limitation? What is your opinion, Nazim?
Nice to see that Nikon has released 2 teleconverters, all we know is lens to use them on.
7+ months and waiting.
Patrick, good point. Let’s hope that the 70-200mm f/2.8 ships in September, as newly promised :)
How about vertical grip? Nikon Z series body grip is smaller and a grip is necessary for people who want to use heavy pro lens for stability. Besides, portrait shooters who do a lot vertical shootings will appreciate that.
Preston, it works with the same grip that is designed for the Z6 and Z7.
Why 2 cards in low end camera
Because of YouTubers and other reviewers who deemed it unacceptable to have 1 memory card slot. Nikon played it safe this time, and I think for the better.
You mentioned in the intro that it has a polycarbonate body, which had me really worried! However, the press release and Nikon websites says its the same magnesium alloy body as the Z6/7, so I guess you need to correct the intro.
Dual SD is a sensible choice for this enthusiast body, and once the millenial gouging price has come down in the UK to £1300 body, £1400 with adaptor, £1500 with 24-50mm, it should do well.
You are right. I read that elsewhere at the time of writing the article, and the source was wrong. I fixed that early in the morning today.
I was never into video so I didn’t pay attention to the video specs but this one got me intrigued. How come the camera crops to 1.7x to shoot 4K resolution, which would require more pixel than FHD (1080), but no crop (full sensor?) to shoot FHD? Why woudn’t that be similar to photo when more resolution requires more sensor area?
Could someone enlighten me on this? Thanks.
To output video resolution different to the resolution to the sensor you have a few choices.
Skip lines – affects quality, bin pixels again affects quality and increases load on processor, downsample – better quality but again increased processing, or crop out to the centre of the frame just the pixels you need. That’s the best quality 4k that doesn’t involve heavier processing.
While the new expeed can handle it I’m thinking the sensor read out speed isn’t high enough, either that or Nikon were trying to differentiate their camera lines. My guess is though that they used a slightly older sensor tech to save on cost.
I agree with Mark here – I think it has a lot to do with sensor read-out and processing. Plus, the 1.7x pixel crop probably produces no heating concerns, allowing to record long videos. Down-sampling 4K is much more processor-intensive than 1080P.
[sarcasm/ON] Now all the wedding photogs who were complaining about only 1 card slot could happily join the crowd of Z owners waiting and waiting and waiting for lenses. :)
Or look elsewhere if a more complete system would not be more attractive than Nikon’s excuses for delays.
But at least Nikon got rid of the “useless” top-display because when designing the hard to distinguish bodies, they also designed the masses of informations shown in the LCD. With no option to make it invisible.
Now we see they already did that with the skipping of the display in mind. Since it only shows redundant information it was obsolete from the beginning.
[sarcasm/OFF]
LOL Joachim, some dark thoughts there :) I am a bit more enthusiastic about Nikon. I think the Z6 and Z7 were very successful tries at entering the mirrorless market, but the company now knows what is needed (2x slots) and it is pushing things in the right direction by making a very affordable FF Z-series camera. Now if they could get their shit together and get on the lenses, it would be even more exciting. Sadly, that’s the biggest issue Nikon has with the Z.
Killer price would have been $1100 for the body only and $1400 for the lens kit combo. A brand new gray import Z6 body only can be bought for $1600 after tax. It’s recommended to wait for 6-12 months and Z5 body only will be available for $1000-1100 after tax.
Other than that, Z5 will be a very strong contender in entry level mirror-less FF realm as time goes on👌
Michael, you cannot really compare MSRP launch price with the price of an existing camera that has been out for 2 years. If you are worried about the price, just wait for 1+ year, and the Z5 will probably sell in the range you want it to be, which is exactly what you said yourself.
Looks great but at around £1800 in UK is expensive but does include VAT. I think US prices probably have state sales tax to add. Will be interested in your comparison of Z5 v. Z6
Michael, yes, sales tax is excluded from pricing in the US, and we don’t have VAT. That’s why there is always a price difference.
Looks like Nikon has a winner here.
Nasim, will these (nikon mirrorless) cameras work seamlessly with third party lenses like Tamron’s G2 series.
One reason people like me are afraid of going mirrorless is, I am heavily invested in Tamron G2 range. I have not heard very encouraging stories of FTZ adaptors being kind to third party lenses.
Can you enlighten us with your thoughts please.
Imtiaz, most lenses work just fine with the FTZ adapter. However, some third-party lenses do seem to experience some issues. Out of the 4 Tamron SP lenses we tested, one had some AF issues when used on the FTZ adapter (general reliability on the SP 45mm f/1.8). I haven’t seen any issues with most other lenses, so it is an odd one. The Tamron SP 90mm had an issue with its aperture mechanism locking up for some reason – had to turn the camera off and on to make it work. I haven’t seen any issues with Sigma and Tokina lenses though.
Tamron is very slow in updating their existing lenses with Nikon Z by firmware. The 150-600’s firmware was out in November 2018. I had to wait 10 more months until the update for the 100-400 came out. Lately Tamron works extremely well with Sony – kind of a joint venture?
Until it’s update the 100-400 was not working at all, it shut the camera down.
I never had any issues with a Sigma lens, but I preferred Tamron’s 100-400 instead of the equally good Sigma because I had no idea the company would be so hesitative.
I only can talk about these two Tamrons. They now work on both the Z 6 and 7. But AF behaviour is more precise than on D850, yet less fast.
Joachim, I agree. Sad to see Tamron react so slow to firmware updates. This is one reason why I didn’t bother touching the Tamrons for a while, since I put every lens on the Nikon Z7 for testing its sharpness. This way, all the tests charts are directly comparable.