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Nikon Z5II vs Nikon Z 6II

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonZ5IINikonZ 6II
Overview
ReleasedApril 2025November 2020
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeBack-illuminated CMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 23.9 mm35.9 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution24.5 MP24.5 MP
Largest image6048 × 40326048 × 4024
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–64000100–51200
Sensor detail25.28 million total pixels; sensor-cleaning function and image-dust-off reference data for NX Studio25.28 million total pixels; image-sensor cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data. Photography Blog and TechRadar identify the sensor as backside-illuminated.
Image formats14-bit NEF RAW with lossless, high-efficiency star or high-efficiency compression; JPEG and HEIF; RAW plus JPEG or HEIFNEF RAW 12/14-bit with lossless, compressed or uncompressed options; medium/small RAW restricted to 12-bit lossless; JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG. DX, square and 16:9 still crops supported.
ISO detailStandard still-image ISO 100–64000; expanded equivalent ISO 50–204800; HLG starts at ISO 400. Conventional movie ISO 100–51200.Expandable to equivalent ISO 50–204800; auto ISO available
Image processorEXPEED 7Dual EXPEED 6 (Photography Blog and TechRadar)
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon Z mountNikon Z mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst30 fps14 fps
Lens detailNIKKOR Z lenses; NIKKOR F lenses require a mount adapter, with model-dependent functional restrictionsNIKKOR Z lenses; compatible F-mount NIKKOR lenses require an adapter and retain model-dependent restrictions
AutofocusHybrid phase/contrast detection; 273 single-point or 299 auto-area positions in FX stills; 3D tracking, nine subject types and AF-A automatic AF-S/AF-C selection. Nikon's −10 EV sensitivity uses AF-S, ISO 100, an f/1.2 lens and 20°C.Hybrid phase/contrast detection, 273 single-point FX positions and human/animal eye detection. Maker sensitivity −4.5 EV or −6 EV with low-light AF, in AF-S at ISO 100, 20°C and f/2.0.
ShutterMechanical, electronic front-curtain and electronic shutter; 1/8000 to 30 seconds plus Bulb/Time, extendable to 900 seconds in manual mode; flash sync at 1/200 second or slower and Auto FP supportMechanical focal-plane, electronic front-curtain and electronic shutters; 1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb/Time and manual extension to 900 seconds. Flash sync 1/200 second; Auto FP supported.
Burst detailOrdinary continuous high approximately 7.8 fps mechanical, 9.4 fps electronic front-curtain or 10 fps silent. Extended high approximately 14 fps, or 15 fps silent, with JPEG-only restrictions at the highest extended rate. C15/C30 high-speed frame capture supports pre-release capture; main 30 fps is electronic-shutter JPEG normal, not RAW.Continuous H extended up to 14 fps; maker 14-bit NEF limit approximately 10 fps. Continuous H 5.5 fps and Continuous L 1–5 fps. TechRadar qualifies maximum 14 fps to 12-bit RAW and single-point AF; buffer/card/settings affect sustained speed.
Stabilisation detailFive-axis sensor shift; maker claim up to 7.5 stops at the centre or 6 at the periphery under CIPA 2024 using NIKKOR Z 24–120mm f/4 S at the telephoto end in NORMAL mode. Focus Point VR has compatible-lens and focus-mode restrictions.Five-axis image-sensor shift plus supported lens VR; TechRadar describes up to 5 stops of body stabilisation
FlashNo built-in flash; ISO 518 accessory shoe and compatible external i-TTL SpeedlightsNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe with compatible i-TTL Speedlights and wireless-flash accessories
Exposure controlsAuto, P/S/A/M and three user settings; ±5 EV still-image compensationAuto/P/S/A/M and three user-setting banks; compensation ±5 EV; matrix, centre-weighted, spot and highlight-weighted metering
Video
Highest video resolution4032 × 2268 at 30 fps3840 × 2160 at 59.94 fps
Video detailN-RAW 12-bit at 4032 × 2268 up to 30p in FX or 3984 × 2240 up to 30p in DX. Conventional UHD 3840 × 2160 reaches 60p with DX crop; uncropped UHD reaches 30p and Full HD reaches 120p. H.265 8/10-bit and H.264; N-Log, HLG, RED LUT support, waveform, timecode, proxy recording and Full HD Hi-Res Zoom. Recording-time limit 125 minutes, subject to conditions.Firmware 1.10 adds UHD 3840 × 2160 up to 59.94p using DX-based image area and Normal movie quality; full-width UHD up to 29.97p. Full HD up to 119.88p, with 4×/5× slow-motion options. MOV/MP4 H.264, recordings up to 29 minutes 59 seconds with mode/card restrictions; electronic VR, timecode and time-lapse. External N-Log/HLG output; RAW video output requires a paid Nikon service upgrade and compatible recorder, with no RAW output at 4K/60p. UK technical page retains its old anticipated-February2021 wording; current Japan table and maker firmware announcement confirm the added mode.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphones; PCM 48 kHz/24-bit for NEV and MOV or AAC 48 kHz/16-bit for MP4; external microphone and headphone monitoringBuilt-in stereo microphones or 3.5 mm external microphone with attenuator; PCM in MOV or AAC in MP4, headphone monitoring available
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicElectronic
Screen size3.2″3.2″
Screen dots2,100,0002,100,000
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailVari-angle TFT with approximately 100% frame coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixelsTilting touchscreen, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detail0.5-inch OLED, approximately 3.69 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 21 mm eyepoint; Nikon UK claims 3000 cd/m² maximum brightness and 60 Hz refresh0.5-inch Quad-VGA OLED, approximately 3.69 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 21 mm eyepoint
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Battery life (maker's claim)390 photographs450 photographs
Body weight620 g615 g
Release detailAnnounced on 3 April 2025. Nikon's later Z5IIC announcement explicitly identifies the Z5II as released in April 2025; month precision is retained because an exact first UK retail day is unconfirmed.Nikon Japan records first sale on 6 November 2020; exact first UK retail day is not independently established
Recording mediaTwo SD/SDHC/SDXC slots supporting UHS-II; overflow, backup and separate file-format recordingOne CFexpress Type B/XQD slot and one UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slot; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG separation and card copying
PortsUSB-C SuperSpeed USB; Micro HDMI Type D; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets; MC-DC3 remote-release connectionUSB-C SuperSpeed USB, HDMI Type C mini connector, 3.5 mm microphone/headphone sockets and accessory terminal for compatible remote cords
Wireless connectionsWi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0; SnapBridge and Nikon Imaging CloudWi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4/5 GHz and Bluetooth 4.2; SnapBridge
Battery life detailEN-EL15c; CIPA approximately 390 shots with the monitor and power saving enabled, 350 without; EVF 380 with power saving or 330 without. Tested with NIKKOR Z 24–70mm f/4 S. Movie battery-life claim approximately 85 minutes. Photography Blog quotes a different monitor-shot figure; main follows Nikon's full specification.EN-EL15c; CIPA monitor approximately 450 shots with power saving or 410 without; EVF 400 with power saving or 340 without. Movie battery claim approximately 100 minutes. Earlier EN-EL15 variants give fewer shots; optional MB-N11/MB-N10 hold two batteries.
ChargingUSB charging and power delivery with compatible equipment; EN-EL15b/15a compatibility has restrictions. Nikon UK states no charger included.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
DimensionsApproximately 134 × 100.5 × 72 mmApproximately 134 × 100.5 × 69.5 mm
Weight detailApproximately 620 g body only or 700 g including battery and memory card, excluding body capApproximately 615 g body only or 705 g with battery/card, excluding body cap
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy top and rear covers; dust- and drip-resistant constructionMagnesium-alloy body and weather sealing described by both reviews; maker operating range 0–40°C
In the boxEN-EL15c battery, AN-DC26 strap, DK-29 eyepiece, BS-1 shoe cover, BF-N1 body cap and USB cableBF-N1 body cap, DK-29 eyecup, EN-EL15c battery, MH-25a charger, HDMI/USB clip, 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

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