Breaking news from Nikon: the Z 5 will be joining their mirrorless full-frame line-up toward the end of August. The Z 5 is a more compact and economically-minded body than its big brothers, the Z 6 and Z 7, but Nikon hasn’t skimped on power. If you’re looking for an affordable full-frame camera that is no less than it should be and no more than it must be, this might be the one for you.
Although the pixel count is extremely similar, the 24.3 MP CMOS sensor at the heart of the Z 5 is not the same as the 24.5 MP BSI CMOS sensor found in the Z 6. (Having a back-side illuminated sensor is awesome for low-light situations, of course, but they had to trim the cost somewhere to offer so much camera at such a nice price.) That being said, the EXPEED 6 processor and 5-axis in-body image stabilization system are the same, and Nikon still incorporated the same number of AF points in the Z 5 as they did in the Z 6—a whopping 273 AF points, including 231 phase-detection points! The robust AF system promises to allow the camera to analyze the entire image when focusing, including the ability to identify and focus on eyes, auto-magically. For video or manual-focusing, focus peaking is available to make the process smooth and simple.
The Z 5 is set up to make a broad spectrum of creative endeavors accessible to anyone, at a high standard of quality. That means things like timelapse video, multiple exposure combination (in real-time or while browsing through the day’s captures later), and focus-stacking* all have robust, dedicated modes in-camera, in addition to 20 built-in creative filters. The Z 5 is compatible with Nikon’s innovative Creative Lighting System, so you can use TTL metering even with off-camera flash units. Naturally, the Z 5 is also fully compatible with the SnapBridge app, so you can instantly manipulate, share, preview and more from your mobile device.
*The Z 5 will shoot up to 300 images at minutely-different focuses; actual stacking must be done with a third-party program later.
More cool features
- Shoot video in 4K 30p or 1080 60p
- Mic, headphone, and HDMI ports for maximum videographic adaptability (might be a great vlogging choice!)
- Two UHS-II SD card slots
- Tilting 3.2″ high-res touchscreen display—pinch, swipe, and more
- Silent shooting mode (electronic curtain)
- Weather-sealed against dust, dirt, and moisture
- Magnesium-alloy frame for lightweight reilience (as featured in Nikon’s professional-grade gear)
- Power while shooting with a USB-C-compatible power pack
- Compatible with the MB-N10 battery grip
On top of all that, the 24–50mm kit lens being introduced alongside the Z 5 is (as of 7/21/2020) the shortest (2.9″), lightest, and most affordable standard zoom lens available! Of course, all Z-mount cameras are compatible via adapter with Nikon’s numerous F-mount lenses as well—more than 90 with full functionality and over 350 with at least manual compatibility, in fact.
So, whether you opt for the tiny new “normal” lens, the all-in-one kit, or the body on its own, this one looks like it’s gonna be a hit. Get your name on the list now to avoid an unnecessary wait!
Pre-order the Nikon Z 5 (body only)
Pre-order the Nikon Z 5 with the NIKKOR Z 24–50mm f/4–6.3
Pre-order the Nikon Z 5 with the NIKKOR Z 24–200 f/4–6.3 VR
Product images
New teleconverters, too
Additionally, Nikon will be adding two teleconverters to the native-Z-mount stable. Their multiplication factors are pretty standard—1.4x and 2x—but they are certainly not your run-of-the-mill extenders! Both will retain 100% of the resolution, AF functionality, VR functionality, minimum focusing distance, and weather-sealing of the non-augmented lens, and will allow you to use every focus point on your sensor all the way down to f/11: an unprecedented feature! The 1.4x will sacrifice one stop of light for the extra reach; the 2x will lose two. A small price to pay for the compactness of this kind of focal length, don’t you think?
The Z-mount teleconverters will be shipping imminently. At release, they will be compatible with the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S, but there are a few likely-to-be-compatible lenses on the published roadmap (click here to view).
Click here to pre-order the TC-1.4x
Click here to pre-order the TC-2.0x