The Nikon Z range of cameras are powerful mirrorless devices that compete with Canon EOS M and R ranges. These are high-quality cameras that have top specs, but also benefit from the excellent Nikon Z-mount lenses. The Nikon Z5, in particular, is a brilliant, entry-level mirrorless camera that offers superior image quality and a fantastic range of features for both photography and videos.
It benefits from a large image sensor, high-resolution images, and a great autofocusing system. Also, it has a great design and a host of useful shooting features. In this guide, we look at the Nikon Z5 and see what it has to offer in terms of design, usability, and performance. We also compare it to a similar spec mirrorless camera.
Main Features
The Nikon Z5 is a powerful mirrorless camera that has a great basic specification. Compared to other Nikon Z cameras, it sits in the middle. It offers better specs than the basic Nikon Z50, but it doesn’t have the same quality as powerful models like the Nikon Z6 II and the Nikon Z7 II. For those wanting to improve their photography skills, however, this is a brilliant choice. You can see the basic specifications of this camera below:
- Size: 134×100.5×69.5mm
- Weight: 590g
- Sensor: 24.3MP
- Max Video Resolution: 4K UHD at 30p
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Image Stabilization: Yes
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z
With a 24.3MP sensor, it offers better-than-average image quality. This is complemented by a solid autofocus system and the Nikon Z lens mount. The Nikon Z lenses offer excellent quality and design, and you can buy a decent range of different lenses including wide-angle and telephoto.
It also has a great ISO range, which can be expanded to 102,400 or 51,200 in auto mode. This means that this camera has great versatility when it comes to low-light shots. Combined with the quality Nikon Z lenses, you have a camera capable of taking brilliant nighttime photos.
It has two SD Card slots and takes one Li-ion battery – specifically the EN-EL15c Nikon rechargeable battery. We feel the basic body of this camera is quite expensive, and if you want to purchase it, it is advisable to look for a deal that includes a decent Nikon Z kit lens.
Design
The Nikon Z5 looks fantastic. It has a stylish design and is built like a traditional DSLR. This includes a textured body and a large, right-hand grip that makes it comfortable and easy to hold. The metal lens mount is durable and there is a simple button to disconnect and change lenses.
On the rear, there is a large EVF that is 1.27cm and has a resolution of 3,690,000 dots. It also has 11-level manual brightness controls. If you don’t want to use the EVF, you can use the LCD touchscreen to compose photos. The LCD screen is three inches and has a hinge so that it can be pulled downwards and rotated 180 degrees. It cannot, however, be rotated outwards.
The rear control panel and top panel do have a decent array of buttons. First-time users may find this confusing, however, it has a useful set of controls including the analog directional pad and the scroll wheel on the front. There is both a program dial and an exposure meter dial on the top.
Overall, the Nikon Z5 has a solid design that looks great but is also highly functional. It is not really a camera suitable for novice users, however. If you have no camera knowledge at all, the learning curve of the Nikon Z5 could be steep.
Usability
The Nikon Z5 is really built for advanced usage and has DSLR-like features. You can shoot in a range of modes including aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual. Essentially, you can do anything you could on a traditional DSLR and more.
One of the best features of this camera is the advanced autofocus system. It has a 273 point autofocus system that has excellent coverage, and has automatic tracking for eyes, animals, and other subjects. Combined with powerful Nikon Z lenses, you have a camera that allows you to compose images easily, even in difficult shooting situations.
This Nikon also has a decent range of creative features. Those include time-lapse, multiple exposure, and focus shift photography. As a result, you can experiment with different photography types and techniques with minimal effort.
In terms of portability, this camera is smaller than most DSLRs, but it is still a decent weight at 590g (body only). When you attach a Nikon Z lens, the weight does start to add up. It could still be comfortably used as a mirrorless travel camera, though.
Nikon Z5 vs. Canon EOS M6 MKII
Most camera manufacturers are now producing mirrorless cameras. It appears to be the way forward. For example, Canon has its R and EOS M range of cameras. A suitable comparison to the Nikon Z5 could be the Canon EOS R6 or the Canon EOS M6 MKII. We have chosen the M6 MKII as it demonstrates the relative quality of other mirrorless cameras, and shows you a similarly-priced model:
| Nikon Z5 | Canon EOS M6 MKII | |
| Megapixel Count | 24.3MP | 35.5MP |
| Video Quality | 4K UHD | 4K UHD |
| Weight | 590g | 408g |
| Dimensions | 134×100.5×69.5mm | 119.6×70.0x49.2mm |
| Max ISO | 51,200 | 25,600 |
| Max Aperture | N/A | N/A |
As you can see, there are some noticeable differences. For example, the Canon EOS M6 MKII has a higher megapixel count by some margin. On the flip side, the Nikon Z5 has a higher maximum ISO and therefore can offer greater flexibility for low-light shots.
Also, the Canon EOS M6 MKII is much lighter and smaller than the Z5. This is a general trend as most Canon mirrorless cameras appear to be more compact than their Nikon counterparts.
The Nikon Z5 Is a Powerful Mirrorless Camera with Excellent Features
This is a top-quality camera and one of the best mirrorless cameras currently available. It is versatile and offers excellent quality for both video and images. There are more powerful Nikon mirrorless cameras available, but the Z5 is a great option.
