Nikon Z5II Review: Flagship Autofocus Turns Nikon's Entry Full-Frame Camera Into a Bargain
Entry-level full-frame cameras used to mean old technology at a lower price. The Nikon Z5II doesn’t play that game. Announced in April 2025 at $1,699 for the body, it gets the Expeed 7 processor and subject-detection autofocus from the Z8 and Z9, a back-side illuminated 24.5MP sensor, and one of the brightest viewfinders in its class.
The original Z5 from 2020 was a sensible budget camera with slow autofocus and cropped 4K. The Mark II is a much bigger jump than the name suggests.
It also shares a lot with the retro Nikon Zf, in a conventional body with a proper grip and a lower price.
Video review: Dustin Abbott
Where it punches up
Autofocus first. It detects people, animals, birds, vehicles and planes, and 3D tracking follows them around the frame with the same logic as Nikon’s pro bodies. For family, travel, events and casual wildlife, it rarely lets you down.
The viewfinder is a 3.69-million-dot OLED rated at 3,000 nits. That’s very bright, and it makes a real difference shooting outdoors on sunny days.
Stabilization is rated at 7.5 stops. Bursts run at 11 fps mechanical in raw, and there’s a 30 fps electronic mode with pre-release capture, though it’s JPEG only.
It’s weather sealed, has dual SD UHS-II slots, and the 3.2-inch screen flips out fully. There’s even a dedicated Picture Control button for Nikon’s creative color looks, which can be downloaded and loaded into the camera.
Video is now competitive
4K at 30p is oversampled from the full sensor width. 4K at 60p uses a 1.5x crop. You get 10-bit H.265, N-Log, HLG, and 12-bit N-RAW internally, which is remarkable at this price, though reviewers note the raw files appear subsampled.
Electronic stabilization for video adds a further crop, so for walking shots a stabilized lens helps.
The compromises
Battery life is modest. The EN-EL15c is rated around 330 shots by CIPA, so carry a spare for long days. USB-C charging and power help.
It has a 24MP sensor like most rivals here. Fine for nearly everything, limiting for heavy crops.
The mechanical burst and video specs trail the Z6III, which has the faster partially stacked sensor, 6K raw and a better viewfinder. That camera costs more for a reason.
It weighs about 700 grams with battery and card, average for full frame.
Who should buy it
First-time full-frame buyers. Upgraders from Nikon’s APS-C bodies like the Z50 or Z50II. Enthusiasts who want flagship autofocus without flagship prices. Anyone who likes the Zf’s internals but prefers a modern grip and controls.
Against the Canon R8 it costs a bit more and adds in-body stabilization, a mechanical shutter, a bigger battery and dual slots. Against the Sony A7 IV it has newer autofocus, a brighter viewfinder and a lower price, with less resolution.
For most people looking at full frame on a budget, the Z5II is the best value of the current crop.