Basic information about the Nikon Z5 camera you should know

Basic information about Nikon Z5

Nearly two years after announcing its first full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Z6 and Z7, Nikon has unveiled the Nikon Z5. It sits below the 24Mp Z6 (and 45Mp Z7) in the company’s line of full-frame mirrorless cameras. It’s designed to be the starting point for full-frame mirrorless photography, and it’s aimed at existing Nikon DSLR users as well as new photographers.

Outstanding features of Nikon Z5

Although the Nikon Z5 24.3Mp has the same pixel count as the Z6 24.5Mp, the two cameras do not have the same sensor. While the Z6 has a back-illuminated sensor design, the Z5’s sensor is a standard CMOS chip. That helps keep prices down a bit.

However, Nikon still embedded phase-detection pixels on the Z5’s sensor, and the hybrid AF system has a total of 273 user-selectable autofocus (AF) points.

Intriguingly, there’s also eye-detection AF programmed to lock on to human eyes and animal-detection AF to get the eyes of cats and dogs.

Naturally, the Z5 has Nikon’s two-year-old Z mount, which has a much wider aperture than the old F mount and thus has scope for faster lens development.

While Nikon may tout the Z5 as its first full-frame mirrorless camera, it hasn’t skimped on one of its most prized features – in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This operates on 5 axes and is claimed to compensate up to 5EV of shutter speed

Video

As you would expect, the Nikon Z5 is capable of recording 4K video. However, there is a 1.7x magnification factor to take into account. That means the Nikkor 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens gives a frame equivalent to 41-85mm. That’s a bit disappointing, but since the screen doesn’t flip forward, it’s unlikely that the Z5 will be used for long-hand vlogging.

Despite its small size, Nikon has integrated mic and headphone ports on the Z5 and has an HDMI connection that is said to provide a clean feed.

Dual card slots

Although the Nikon Z6 and Z7 were generally well received, they were criticized for only having one XQD card slot. Nikon didn’t go this route for the Z5, which has two card slots, both of which accept SD-type cards and are UHS-II compatible.

That’s handy for extra storage or backup in case of card failure. Additionally, videos can be saved to one card and still photos to another.

Battery

Although the Nikon Z5 introduces a new battery, the EN-EL 15C, the camera can accept EN-EL 15B batteries. Additionally, the camera can be powered via a USB Type-C connection.

Design

Given current limitations, I have yet to handle a Nikon Z5. However, I got an exclusive briefing on the camera and I saw it in action.

It’s clear that despite being a bit smaller than the Z6 and Z7, the Z5 has a good grip on the front and a thumb ridge that looks very similar to Nikon’s existing full-frame mirrorless cameras.

The control layout on the back of the Nikon Z5 is the same as on the Z6 and Z7. That means it has a joystick for shifting the AF point around while you look into the viewfinder, and there’s an ‘i’ button that provides a quick route to the 12-feature menu.

There’s also a switch for quickly swapping between stills and video recording.

The top of the Z5 is slightly different from Nikon’s existing full-frame mirrorless cameras. For example, the mode dial, located on the left side of the top plates of the Z6 and Z7, is just to the right of the viewfinder. That means there’s no secondary display, but that’s not a huge loss since the Z5 has a tilting touchscreen.

It’s good to see that despite being an ‘entry level’ full-frame camera, the Nikon Z5’s exposure mode dial has three customizable settings along with the usual options of auto, program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual.

Another good news is that the video recording, ISO and exposure compensation buttons all revolve around the shutter button in the same position as on the Z6 and Z7.

Additionally, there’s a dial on the back of the top plate and a button just below the shutter button, so you can adjust settings on the fly while your eye is in the viewfinder.

Nikon Z5 screen and viewfinder

As I mentioned earlier, the Nikon Z5 has a tilting touchscreen. This can be tilted up for viewing from below the head, or down for viewing from above the head. However, it can’t be tilted down for viewing from in front of the camera like the Z50’s screen.

That means it’s not very useful for selfies, but that’s probably not a big deal for most prospective Z5 owners.

At 3.2 inches, the Z5’s display is larger than average, while its 1,040,000-dot resolution is respectable rather than groundbreaking.

Unlike Sony, Nikon makes good use of the camera’s touchscreen. That means that even though there are a lot of buttons and dials, you can access and adjust most features with a tap on the screen. It makes navigating menus and making setting choices much more intuitive than pressing a button, but you can do that if you prefer.

With 3,690,000 pixels, the 0.39-inch-type OLED electronic viewfinder is good for an entry-level full-frame camera. In fact, it’s the same viewfinder as in the Z6 and Z7, which is great news because they’re very good and create a really natural look.

Efficiency

While we’ve seen 24Mp sensors from Nikon before, and we know that the Z6 and Z7 autofocus systems are very capable, it’s too early to talk about the Z5’s performance.

However, Nikon’s recent cameras have impressed for their detail capture and dynamic range, and I have no reason to think the Z5 will be any different.

At 4.5 fps, the Z5’s maximum continuous shooting speed won’t win any awards, but that’s still fast enough for shooting most sports.

Summary

While I haven’t officially reviewed the Nikon Z5 in person, I think it has a great combination of features. The tilting touchscreen proved its worth on the Z6 and Z7, and while I like the variable screen, it’s a bonus that the fixed screen on a camera is designed to be a logical step up to full-frame mirrorless photography.

The viewfinder is also very impressively specified and should ensure a comfortable transition for anyone switching from a viewfinder to an electronic viewfinder.

Initially, the Z5 will only be sold with the new Nikkor Z 24-50MM F/4-6.3 kit lens, which is said to be the smallest full-frame zoom lens available. It makes for a very compact full frame.