With Nikon’s Z5 II announcement, maybe you’re wondering how it compares to the Nikon Zf and Z6 III. While all three of these cameras share some similarities – like their resolution and (mostly) their autofocus systems – they also differ in some interesting ways. Here’s a detailed comparison chart!
| Camera Feature | Nikon Z5 II | Nikon Zf | Nikon Z6 III |
|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | April 2025 | September 2023 | June 2024 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | BSI CMOS | Partially Stacked CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 7 | EXPEED 7 | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 24.5 MP | 24.5 MP | 24.5 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 6048×4032 | 6048×4032 | 6048×4024 |
| Sensor Size | 35.9×23.9mm (Full Frame) | 35.9×23.9mm (Full Frame) | 35.9×23.9mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 5.94µ | 5.94µ | 5.94µ |
| Low Pass Filter | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Base ISO | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Max Native ISO | 64,000 | 64,000 | 64,000 |
| Extended ISOs | 50-204,800 | 50-204,800 | 50-204,800 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | Yes (JPEG only) | Yes (JPEG only) | Yes (JPEG only) |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/8000 | 1/8000 | 1/16000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 900 | 900 | 900 |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 11 | 14 | 14 |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 15 | 14 | 20 |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | 15 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS) | 14 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS) | 20 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 60 FPS; DX JPEG at 120 FPS) |
Buffer Size (Raw) | 200 frames | Over 200 frames | Over 1000 frames (20 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition, including a dedicated bird tracking mode | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition |
| Autofocus Points | 273 | 273 | 273 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -8.5 EV | -8.5 EV | -8.5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/200 | 1/200 |
| Curtain to Protect Sensor at Shutdown | No | No | No |
Video Features | |||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 12 | 10 | 12 |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 12 | 10 | 12 |
| Raw Video | Yes | No | Yes |
| 6K Maximum Framerate | N/A | N/A | 60p |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 60p | 60p | 120p |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120p | 120p | 240p |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | 1.5x crop at 4K 60p (4K 30p has no additional crop) | 1.5x crop at 4K 60p (4K 30p has no additional crop) | 1.5x crop at 4K 120p (4K 60p has no additional crop) |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:2 | 4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External) | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 125 minutes | 125 minutes | 125 minutes |
Physical and Other Features | |||
| Card Slots | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | SD (UHS-II) | SD (UHS-II) | CFExpress Type B |
| Slot 2 Type | SD (UHS-II) | Micro SD (UHS-I) | SD (UHS-II) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.2 inches | 3.2 inches | 3.2 inches |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 2100000 dots | 2100000 dots | 2100000 dots |
| Articulating LCD | Fully Articulating | Fully Articulating | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8x | 0.8x | 0.8x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 3690000 dots | 3690000 dots | 5760000 dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | No | No | No |
| GPS | No | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Battery Type | EN-EL15c | EN-EL15c | EN-EL15c |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 330 shots | 360 shots | 360 shots |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 350 shots | 380 shots | 390 shots |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | 380 shots | 430 shots | 410 shots |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 700 | 710 | 760 |
| Dimensions (LxHxD)1 | 134 x 101 x 82 mm (5.3 x 4.0 x 3.2″) | 144 x 103 x 59 mm (5.7 x 4.1 x 2.3″) | 139 x 102 x 89 mm (5.5 x 4.0 x 3.5″) |
| MSRP, Body Only | $1700 (check current price) | $2000 (check current price) | $2500 (check current price) |
| 1Nikon’s official dimensions for these three cameras do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match typical standards today, 10mm were added to the Z5 II’s and Zf’s depth measurements in this table, while 15mm were added to that of the Nikon Z6 III. | |||
Beyond the specs listed above, I want to point out that because of the Nikon Z6 III’s partially stacked image sensor, it has a faster readout speed than the other two cameras here. Specifically, the Z6 III’s readout speed is approximately 1/70th second, while the Nikon Zf’s readout speed is approximately 1/20 second. This makes a big difference when using the electronic shutter with fast-moving subjects; rolling shutter can make the electronic shutter unusable, even, depending on how quickly the subject is moving.
While the exact readout speed of the Nikon Z5 II is not yet known (at least as far as I could find), it is likely to be very similar to that of the Nikon Zf. This certainly isn’t the end of the world for high-speed photography with the Nikon Z5 II, but it does mean that you may want to stick to the mechanical shutter more often if your subject is moving quickly.
As for the buffer capacity, it depends on the mode you use, but the Nikon Z5 II is no slouch. Take a look at Libor’s first impressions to see a detailed buffer comparison against the Nikon Z6 III.
Anyway, I hope this gives you a good sense of the pros and cons of the Nikon Z5 II versus two of its closest alternatives!
Great comparison :). Does anybody know if z5ii also recognize subject with manual lenses like zf?
I don’t yet know, sorry – you should ask Libor in his recent First Impressions article. There’s a chance he can test it if he still has access to the Z5 II.
What does the Nikon Z f battery life eco mode mean and how do you activate that mode??
Thanks
Bill
Here you go! onlinemanual.nikonimglib.com/zf/en…e_317.html
Just wanted to thank you for putting this comparison table together. I was working on a spreadsheet for this and that was too much work. So I appreciate it!!
Glad it was useful!
Can Zf really do 4:2:2 externally?
Yes, according to this page it can – onlinemanual.nikonimglib.com/zf/en…rs_81.html
I assume that the R&D for Expeed 7 is sunk and now everything needs to move to that chip to amortize unit cost. Cameras still using Expeed 6 must be using up existing stock. One way or another the Z7 will need to be updated with the new chip, and enough improvements to entice people to upgrade. It still has to sit below the Z8 in coat and performance. Interesting to see how they position it. Z5ii is almost intimidating with its new features and a big jump over the Z5, which can regularly be had for $999. Hopefully they keep the first Gen Z5 around for a while so they have a budget FF offering. Not everyone cares about video.
My hope is that the Nikon Z7 III is positioned as an ultimate landscape photography camera. Especially given how sharp today’s Z lenses are, there’s a lot of room for more resolution without running into needless pixels.
Few photographers truly need (say) 100MP, but for slow-paced landscape photography and large prints, I’d definitely appreciate it. On top of that, maintaining a base ISO of 64 – or even lowering the base ISO further – would be fantastic. Add a dual-axis tilting LCD and call it a day. Honestly, autofocus improvements would be optional at that point, and high-FPS burst improvements would be unnecessary.
I know I’m just dreaming, but for me, that would really make the Z7 II worth buying, while also not competing with the other Z cameras. And probably increasing the demand for some expensive lenses like the Plena that could easily benefit from a 100MP+ sensor.
I totally agree with you that the Z7III added pixel shifts to get true RGB values on all pixels and not interpolated as usual. Also star tracking that pentagrams have in some models would be thankful. So provide it with features that the landscape photographer would use. Dreaming with you and that day I can stop dreaming about medium format camera
Nikon’s marketers have done an excellent job.” They were able to release cameras that do not compete on the one hand with the Z8 and Z9, and on the other hand with the Z5 and Z50ii. And at the same time, in fact, they do not compete with each other.
Zf-aesthetics and design.
Z6iii-budget action and video game.
Z5ii-basic station wagon.
In the future, based on the logic of product output, in theory we should expect the Z6iii filling in the Z30\case.
Question about the hypothetical Z7iii.
Now it seems to me that the” safe ” option may be a case from Z5ii with a matrix from Z7ii. Due to the low read speed of the matrix, the Z7ii will not compete with the Z8 and Z6iii. And if you still seriously save and cut the buffer and put a CF card, then you can set an attractive price in the region of 2200-2500 dollars without taxes and tariffs. And finally get autofocus, which normally finds birds and other animals. )
To quote Dumas:
“All human wisdom consists in two words: wait and hope!”
Looking at the Nikon Z5II, I regretted having purchased the Nikon ZF. I really like the dials and the experience that the Nikon ZF offers, but for the price, ergonomics and other details, it makes the Nikon Z5II the true heir to the best mid-range DSLR ever made; the Nikon D750.
I gotta go with the Z6iii as the d750 successor. I tried to like the zf (I was looking just before the z6iii came out, but just didn’t like the feel. I spent enough years moving out of the dials and such for my old film cameras, that, nostalgia aside, it felt like a step backwards. And it was uncomfortably small. And the z6ii was ok, but z6iii came out a couple of weeks later and I traded it in for the iii. Everything I did with my d750 I was doing with the z6iii just the same. Of course, adding in the new modes took a while.
The Zf, with hand grip, is more tactile and proved more instinctual to control than the Z5, particularly in manual mode. It is just joyful to use everyday.I bought the Z8 for more technical uses and the Z5 stayed in the cupboard, so I found it a new owner. I am unlikely to look for a new camera anytime soon, there are a few lines I might consider.
Personal opinion but the difference between these three cameras are very little. Seems that camera makers are using the same marketing techniques as car makers. Same frame, then….. slightly bettere viewfinder on one model, bird tracking mode on the other. Difficult to understand why the Z5II and Zf have different continous shooting number of frames with the same sensor and same processor (software limitation on purpose to create another little difference?)…….Really nothing that push you to change body if you’re already in the ML world.
I agree for the most part that they’re similar cameras. But regarding the frame rate specifically, it’s 15 FPS on the Z5 II and 14 FPS on the Zf, so pretty similar. The real difference is in the mechanical shutter – 11 FPS vs 14 FPS. I assume that Nikon is using a simpler mechanical shutter on the Z5 II to keep the costs lower.
Z5ii is a surprise tbh, it’s beyond entry level. It has more features than Nikon D6 for instance. Another advantage of Z6iii is that it uses full size HDMI port and has top LCD which definitely helps in some situations like astrophotography and long exposures. But it has 1.5X crop in 4k 120fps.