Is it really worth getting the Nikon Z5 or should you just go for the Z6 II?
Jan 18, 2021
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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The Nikon Z5 is an interesting little camera. A full-frame Nikon mirrorless camera, with a relatively low price tag that seems to tick most of the boxes, even for working photographers (including dual card slots). Body only, it can be had for under $1,400. A significant difference over the $2,000 Nikon Z6 II. But is the Z5 worth getting at that price? Or are you better paying the extra to go for the Z6 II?
That’s the question that photographer Matt Irwin explores in this pretty in-depth and almost-27-minute long video. He takes a look at the autofocus, low light performance, image quality, and a bunch of other factors in a variety of scenarios in order to try to answer the question and I think he puts forward some good cases for when you might or might not want to use the Z5.
If the Nikon Z6/Z6 II line is essentially a continuation of the D750/D780 then the Z5 is arguably a continuation of the D600/D610 cameras in Nikon’s lineup. But when you look at the results Matt was getting out of the Z5, it certainly seems to punch well above its weight in many aspects. The Z5 certainly seems closer to the Z6 II than the D600/D610 did to the D750/D780.
For many photographers looking to make the jump to Nikon full-frame mirrorless, that $600 savings on the Nikon Z5 might be worth going for, especially as it can potentially allow you to throw a little extra money at lenses. For others, though, the Z6 II will be the better choice – especially if you need that full-frame 4K video or fast continuous shooting for sports, wildlife or other action photography.
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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3 responses to “Is it really worth getting the Nikon Z5 or should you just go for the Z6 II?”
I have the Z5. I like it’s not geared towards video, per say. Yes you can shoot video, but it’s not suited for it. Camera companies have just assumed that photographers wanted videography capabilities as well. Some do, but I want to just shoot pictures. That’s why I chose the Z5. Videos take up too much space.
As Jason mentioned in his post… I think camera companies need to focus on one thing.. If you want to make videos, get a point and shoot camera like Fz2500.. But as for photographers, who are more interested in astrography or landscape.. The video portion of the camera is a waste of time and space.. It is never used.. ever… Closes thing to a video I make with a mirrorless or dslr is a timelapse.. So I think when camera manufactures make a camera, they should be more into keeping it simple and do one job.. You want videos, get a gopro or something. You want landscape photos, or moon shots for a ad banner get a mirrorless or dslr. When I look at new cameras and it mentions.. Oh by the way it can shoot 4k videos.. I really do not want to buy it.. Simply because the added money used to create the video function has taken away from other things the camera could do better. Better processor or something. I am sure they have a set price point and they need to skimp out on something in order to get a video function. Which most photographers I know never use.
star movement is from handheld movement. stars (earth) doesn’t turn that much in 1/3 of a second from years of astro photography experience