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Nikon Z 5 · Nikon UK body-only front photograph

Nikon Z 5
Photo 1 of 22

Nikon Z 5 · Nikon UK body-only front photograph

Nikon · Nikon Z

Z 5

Released August 2020

A 24.3-megapixel full-frame mirrorless camera with sensor stabilisation, two UHS-II SD slots and cropped 4K video.

Type
Mirrorless
Sensor
Full frame
Megapixels
24.3
Lens
Nikon Z mount
Video
3840 × 2160 at 29.97 fps
Body weight
590 g

What reviewers say

Both praise its detailed images, comfortable handling, clear viewfinder and solid construction, while questioning its launch price for a beginner model. Both find the compact 24–50mm kit lens useful but limiting for more demanding users. Photography Blog liked its natural colours and fast eye focusing; TechRadar found tracking and stabilisation dependable but criticised the slow burst rate and cropped, restricted 4K recording. Their price and competitor assessments describe the launch period.

From photographyblog.com and techradar.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Image and sensor

Camera type
Mirrorless
Sensor format
Full frame
Sensor type
CMOS
Sensor dimensions
35.9 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution
24.3 MP
Largest image
6016 × 4016
RAW recording
Yes
Standard ISO range
100–51200
Sensor detail
UK publishes 24.3 million effective pixels, Japan 24.32 million; 24.93 million total. Image-sensor cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data.
Image formats
NEF RAW 12/14-bit with lossless or compressed options, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG. DX, square and 16:9 still crops supported.
ISO detail
Expandable to equivalent ISO 50–102400; auto ISO available
Image processor
EXPEED 6

Lens and shooting

Lens mount
Nikon Z mount
Stabilisation
Sensor shift
Maximum continuous burst
4.5 fps
Lens detail
NIKKOR Z lenses; compatible F-mount NIKKOR lenses require an adapter with model-dependent restrictions
Autofocus
Hybrid phase/contrast detection, 273 single-point FX positions and human/animal eye detection. Maker sensitivity −2 EV normally or −3 EV with low-light AF, in AF-S at ISO 100, 20°C and f/2.0.
Shutter
Mechanical focal-plane, electronic front-curtain and electronic shutters; 1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb and Time. Flash sync 1/200 second; Auto FP supported.
Burst detail
Continuous H up to 4.5 fps at full resolution with AF/AE; Continuous L 1–4 fps
Stabilisation detail
Five-axis image-sensor shift plus supported lens VR; TechRadar describes a five-stop claim
Flash
No built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe with compatible i-TTL Speedlights and wireless-flash accessories
Exposure controls
Auto/P/S/A/M and three user-setting banks; compensation ±5 EV; matrix, centre-weighted, spot and highlight-weighted metering

Video

Highest video resolution
3840 × 2160 at 29.97 fps
Video detail
UHD 3840 × 2160 up to 29.97p with approximately 1.7× crop; Full HD up to 59.94p using full-frame image area. MOV/MP4 H.264, recordings up to 29 minutes 59 seconds; electronic VR, timecode and time-lapse. No 120p recording mode.
Audio
Built-in stereo microphones or 3.5 mm external microphone with attenuator; PCM in MOV or AAC in MP4, headphone monitoring available

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder
Electronic
Screen size
3.2″
Screen dots
1,040,000
Touchscreen
Yes
Tilting screen
Yes
Display detail
Tilting touchscreen, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels. Maker size is 3.2 inches, rather than TechRadar's 3.0-inch wording.
Viewfinder detail
0.5-inch Quad-VGA OLED, approximately 3.69 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 21 mm eyepoint

Connections and design

Wi-Fi
Yes
Bluetooth
Yes
Battery life (maker's claim)
470 photographs
Body weight
590 g
Release detail
Maker launch release states August 2020 availability; a later US maker notice schedules 27 August. Exact earliest worldwide or UK retail day remains unconfirmed, so month precision is retained.
Recording media
Two UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slots; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG separation and card copying
Ports
USB-C SuperSpeed USB, HDMI Type C mini connector, 3.5 mm microphone/headphone sockets and accessory terminal for compatible remote cords; maker connector specifications take precedence over the review's full-size HDMI wording
Wireless connections
UK technical page lists Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n at 2.4 GHz; Japan lists a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4/5 GHz. Bluetooth 4.2 and SnapBridge; regional wireless specifications differ.
Battery life detail
EN-EL15c; CIPA approximately 470 shots using monitor or 390 using EVF. Movie battery claim approximately 120 minutes with monitor or 115 with EVF. Earlier EN-EL15 variants give fewer shots; optional MB-N10 holds two batteries.
Charging
USB-C charging/power with compatible equipment; in-camera charging supports EN-EL15c/15b; MH-25a external charger, optional EH-7P or compatible AC adapter with EP-5B connector
Dimensions
Approximately 134 × 100.5 × 69.5 mm
Weight detail
Approximately 590 g body only or 675 g with battery/card, excluding body cap
Materials
Maker dust/drip-resistant magnesium-alloy exterior; TechRadar identifies a plastic rear panel. Maker operating range 0–40°C; resistance does not guarantee waterproofing.
In the box
BF-N1 body cap, DK-29 eyecup, EN-EL15c battery, MH-25a charger, AN-DC19 strap, UC-E24 USB cable and BS-1 shoe cover; charger plug varies by region, current Japan also lists AN-DC26 as a strap alternative

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Five-axis sensor stabilisation
  • Two UHS-II SD card slots
  • Microphone and headphone sockets

Cons

  • 4K video uses a 1.7× crop
  • Maximum burst speed is 4.5 fps
  • Tilting screen cannot face forward

Closest rivals

Model
TypeSensorMegapixelsLensVideoBody weightReleased
CanonEOS R5
MirrorlessFull frame45Canon RF8192 × 4320 at 29.97 fps650 gJul 2020
PanasonicLUMIX S5
MirrorlessFull frame24.2L-Mount4096 × 2160 at 59.94 fps630 gSept 2020
SonyAlpha 7C
MirrorlessFull frame24.2Sony E-mount3840 × 2160 at 30 fps424 gOct 2020

Sources

  1. nikon.co.uk/en_GB/product/cameras/mirrorless/z-5
  2. nij.nikon.com/products/lineup/mirrorless/z5/spec.html
  3. nikonusa.com/press-room/new-z-5
  4. nikonusa.com/press-room/trade-up-to-nikon-z-5
  5. photographyblog.com/reviews/nikon_z5_review
  6. techradar.com/reviews/nikon-z5

Photo: Nikon UK body-only front photograph

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