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Nikon Z5IIC vs Nikon Z6III

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonZ5IICNikonZ6III
Overview
ReleasedComing 15 October 2026June 2024
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeBackside-illuminated CMOSPartially stacked CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 23.9 mm35.9 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution24.5 MP24.5 MP
Largest image6048 × 40326048 × 4032
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–64000100–64000
Sensor detail25.28 million total pixels; image-dust-off reference data requires NX Studio26.79 million total pixels; sensor cleaning and image-dust-off reference data for NX Studio; pixel-shift frames require software combination and a static camera/subject
Image formats14-bit NEF RAW with lossless, high-efficiency star or high-efficiency compression; JPEG and HEIF; RAW plus JPEG or HEIF recording14-bit NEF RAW with lossless or high-efficiency compression; JPEG and HEIF; RAW plus JPEG or HEIF
ISO detailStandard SDR still-image ISO 100–64000; expanded equivalent ISO 50–204800. HLG stills start at ISO 400.Standard still-image ISO 100–64000, expandable to equivalent ISO 50–204800; HLG starts at ISO 400. Conventional movie ISO 100–51200 with format-dependent expansion.
Image processorEXPEED 7EXPEED 7
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon Z mountNikon Z mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst30 fps120 fps
Lens detailNIKKOR Z lenses; compatible NIKKOR F lenses require a mount adapter and retain model-dependent functional restrictionsNIKKOR Z lenses; NIKKOR F lenses require an adapter and retain model-dependent restrictions
AutofocusHybrid phase/contrast detection; 273 single-point AF positions or 299 auto-area positions in FX still-image mode; 3D tracking. Maker low-light limit −10 EV uses AF-S, centre point, ISO 100, an f/1.2 lens and 20°C.Hybrid phase/contrast detection; 273 single-point or 299 auto-area positions in FX stills, subject detection and 3D tracking. Nikon's −10 EV sensitivity uses AF-S, ISO 100, f/1.2 and 20°C. Photography Blog's 493-point narrative is not the exact maker specification.
ShutterMechanical focal-plane, electronic first-curtain and electronic shutter; 1/8000 to 30 seconds plus Bulb/Time; manual exposures extend to 900 seconds; flash sync 1/200 secondMechanical and electronic front-curtain 1/8000 to 30 seconds; electronic up to 1/16000. Bulb/Time and manual-mode extension to 900 seconds. Flash sync 1/200, or 1/60 electronic; electronic shutter does not support Auto FP.
Burst detailC30 high-speed frame capture reaches approximately 30 fps with pre-capture. Ordinary extended continuous shooting reaches approximately 14 fps or 15 fps with silent mode, for formats excluding RAW. Standard high-speed mechanical shooting reaches 7.8 fps. Figures are Nikon test-condition maxima.Extended continuous shooting up to 14 fps mechanical or 20 fps electronic. High-speed C15/C30/C60/C120 modes support JPEG pre-release capture; C60 retains full-frame resolution, C120 uses approximately 10.6-megapixel DX JPEGs.
Stabilisation detailFive-axis sensor shift; Nikon claims up to 7.5 stops at centre and 6 stops at frame periphery under CIPA 2024 yaw/pitch/roll testing with NIKKOR Z 24–120mm f/4 S at its telephoto end in NORMAL modeFive-axis sensor shift; Nikon claims 8 stops under CIPA using NIKKOR Z 24–120mm f/4 S at the telephoto end in NORMAL mode. Focus Point VR has lens/focus-mode restrictions; electronic movie VR available.
FlashISO 518 hot shoe; i-TTL and Auto FP high-speed sync with compatible external SpeedlightsNo built-in flash; ISO 518 accessory shoe and compatible external i-TTL Speedlights
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M, Auto and 15 scene modes; still-image exposure compensation ±5 EV; Imaging Recipes and film-grain effectsAuto, P/S/A/M and user settings; ±5 EV still-image or ±3 EV movie compensation
Video
Highest video resolution4032 × 2268 at 30 fps6048 × 3402 at 59.94 fps
Video detailJapanese maker specification lists FX N-RAW 4032 × 2268 at up to 30p, DX N-RAW 3984 × 2240 at up to 30p, and conventional 3840 × 2160 up to 60p with a DX crop at 50p/60p. Nikon UK marketing describes 4K 60p N-RAW, conflicting with that detailed table; the main video fields follow the explicit Japanese RAW table. Full HD reaches 120p. H.265 8/10-bit, H.264 and 12-bit N-RAW; N-Log, HLG, REC lamp, waveform and USB UVC/UAC webcam support. Maximum single recording claim is 125 minutes, subject to temperature, battery and card conditions.N-RAW 12-bit 6048 × 3402 up to 59.94p; 4032 × 2268 RAW up to 59.94p and cropped DX 3984 × 2240 up to 119.88p. ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ, H.265 8/10-bit and H.264 have mode-dependent limits. Conventional 5.4K 5376 × 3024 up to 60p; UHD up to 120p with crop at the highest rate; Full HD up to 240p. N-Log, HLG, waveform, timecode and RAW proxy recording. Current maker recording-time limit 125 minutes, subject to temperature, power and media conditions.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphones; 3.5 mm external microphone input and headphone output; PCM 48 kHz/24-bit for NEV/MOV or AAC 48 kHz/16-bit for MP4Built-in stereo microphones; PCM 48 kHz/24-bit for NEV/MOV or AAC 48 kHz/16-bit for MP4; external microphone/line input and headphone monitoring
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderNoneElectronic
Screen size3.2″3.2″
Screen dots1,040,0002,100,000
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailVari-angle TFT with approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count display subpixelsVari-angle TFT with approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detailFlat-top design without an electronic or optical viewfinder0.5-inch UXGA OLED, approximately 5.76 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 21 mm eyepoint; maker maximum brightness 4000 cd/m² and DCI-P3 gamut
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Battery life (maker's claim)390 photographs410 photographs
Body weight538 g670 g
Release detailAnnounced globally on 24 September 2026. Nikon UK's body-only store states preorder shipping on 15 October 2026; Japan specifies 23 October 2026. Dates are planned availability, not completed retail sales.Announced on 17 June 2024; Nikon US states availability in late June. Main retains June 2024 because the exact first UK retail day is unconfirmed.
Recording mediaSD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards with UHS-II supportCFexpress Type B/XQD slot and UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slot; overflow, backup and separate format recording
PortsUSB-C SuperSpeed USB; Micro HDMI Type D; 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets; headphone socket also accepts MC-DC3 remote release with automatic function switchingUSB-C SuperSpeed USB, full-size HDMI Type A, 3.5 mm microphone/line and headphone sockets, accessory terminal for MC-DC2 remote release
Wireless connectionsWi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0; SnapBridge and Nikon Imaging CloudWi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0; SnapBridge and Nikon Imaging Cloud
Battery life detailEN-EL15c; CIPA approximately 390 still photographs with power saving enabled or 350 without, using NIKKOR Z 24–50mm f/4–6.3. Movie battery-life claim approximately 85 minutes. EN-EL15b/15a are compatible with shorter endurance.EN-EL15c; CIPA approximately 410 monitor shots with power saving enabled or 390 without; EVF 380 with power saving or 360 without. Tested with NIKKOR Z 24–70mm f/4 S. Movie battery-life claim approximately 100 minutes. EN-EL15b/15a compatibility gives shorter endurance; optional MB-N14 accepts two batteries.
ChargingUSB charging with optional EH-8P and USB-C cable; EN-EL15c/15b can be charged in camera. Nikon UK's body-only store states no charger included.USB charging and power delivery; optional EH-8P or EH-7P; EN-EL15c/15b rechargeable in camera. Nikon UK states no charger included.
DimensionsApproximately 134.0 × 80.5 × 72.0 mmApproximately 138.5 × 101.5 × 74 mm
Weight detailApproximately 538 g body only or 620 g with battery/card, excluding body cap and shoe cover. Nikon corrected the Japanese printed catalogue's erroneous 619 g figure on 28 September 2026.Approximately 670 g body only or 760 g with battery/card, excluding body cap and shoe cover
MaterialsMagnesium alloy in key body areas; dust- and drip-resistant design, without a guarantee in every situationMagnesium alloy and Sereebo material; dust/moisture-resistant construction, maker operating range −10°C to 40°C
ColoursBlack or silver–
In the boxJapanese exact-model specification lists EN-EL15c, AN-DC26 strap, USB-C cable, BS-1 shoe cover and BF-N1 body cap. The UK page also lists a DK-29 viewfinder eyepiece despite the camera having no viewfinder; that conflicting accessory is omitted here.EN-EL15c, AN-DC26 strap, UC-E25 USB cable, HDMI/USB cable clip, BS-1 shoe cover, DK-29 eyepiece and BF-N1 body cap

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