Nikon upgraded its entry-level full-frame camera with better autofocus and faster shooting

Five years after Nikon released its entry-level and more affordable alternative to its original Z7 and Z6 full-frame cameras, the company is finally updating its Z5 with improved autofocus and image stabilization, and a much brighter electronic viewfinder. Nikon says the new Z5 II is also its first camera that can capture video in its […]

Apr 3, 2025 - 15:16

Nikon upgraded its entry-level full-frame camera with better autofocus and faster shooting

A person holding the Nikon Z5 II in front of them with a mic and wind screen attached to the camera. — The Nikon Z5 II includes an upgraded LCD touchscreen that can now flip out sideways and rotage. | Image: Nikon

Five years after Nikon released its entry-level and more affordable alternative to its original Z7 and Z6 full-frame cameras, the company is finally updating its Z5 with improved autofocus and image stabilization, and a much brighter electronic viewfinder. Nikon says the new Z5 II is also its first camera that can capture video in its proprietary 12-bit N-RAW video format directly to an SD memory card, instead of pricier CF Express type B cards.

The Nikon Z5 II will be available sometime in April 2025 starting at $1,699.95 for the body alone – which is about $300 more expensive than the original Z5. It will also be available in kits that include the Z5 II body and either the Nikkor Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens for $1,999.95, or the Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens with vibration reduction for $2,499.95. An angled shot of the front of the Nikon Z5 II against a white background.

The Z5 II is built around a 24-megapixel full-frame backside illuminated sensor powered by Nikon’s EXPEED 7 image processing engine borrowed from its higher-end Z8 and Z9 pro-level cameras. That enables the camera to shoot at up to 14 fps in JPEG or 11 fps in RAW using its mechanical shutter, or up to 30 fps (JPEG) and 15 fps (RAW) when using its electronic shutter.

It offers a pre-release capture mode that stores up to a full second worth of images before the shutter is pressed to help ensure important moments aren’t missed. And if 24 megapixels aren’t enough, the Z5 II has a pixel shift mode that moves the sensor around to capture images up to 96 megapixels in size, but you’ll need to use Nikon’s Studio NX software to process those images – it doesn’t happen in camera.

Video is still limited to 4K resolutions at 30 fps, but that can be boosted to up to 60 fps when using a smaller portion of the sensor. Dropping the video resolution to 1080p can further boost frame rates to 120 fps for capturing slow motion footage.

The Z5 II uses Nikon’s 3D tracking autofocus system to keep subjects in focus even while they’re moving quickly or erratically, and it can detect and prioritize nine different types of subjects when capturing stills or videos: people, dogs, cats, cars, birds, motorcycles, bicycles, planes, and trains. Capturing crisp images is also assisted by an in-body stabilization system that prioritizes regions that are in focus.

It’s also Nikon’s first full-frame camera to feature its automatic AF-A autofocus mode. The Z5 II will switch between AF-S (single) and AF-C (continuous) modes in response to subjects that start moving or sudden changes in composition while shooting photos. The feature can make it easier to capture properly focused images of pets and kids who don’t always cooperate and sit still. A top view of the Nikon Z5 II camera without a lens attached.

Other upgrades include a dedicated Picture Control button providing quick access to up to 31 built-in color presets as well as additional Nikon Imaging Recipes that can be uploaded to the camera by users. Nikon says the electronic viewfinder on the Z5 II offers up to 3,000 nits of brightness making it six times “brighter than any competing model.” The camera’s 3.2-inch LCD touchscreen has also been upgraded so it can flip out to the side and rotate, instead of simply tilting up and down like it did on the original Nikon Z5.