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Nikon Z5 II Review

In this Nikon Z5 II review we take a closer look at this second-generation entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera from Nikon. The Z5 II arrives with a number of upgrades both inside and out, offering new users and upgraders a far more powerful hybrid camera for stills and video content creation.

Is The Nikon Z5 II The Best Budget Full Frame Camera? Video Review

A key update is the addition of the flagship EXPEED 7 image processor, which paves the way for the latest autofocus system from Nikon, which brings subject detection and 3D tracking from higher-end cameras like the Z8 and Z9 into a much more accessible body. The result is an even more capable camera than the original, with faster shooting, better low-light performance and pro-level video tools.

We’ve put together a comprehensive specs comparison table to highlight what’s been updated vs the original Z5, and in this post, we also explore lens kit options, video performance, connectivity and much more, starting with the Nikon Z5 II release date and price.

Nikon Z5 II release date and Price

The Nikon Z5 II release date is the 3rd April 2025, arriving with a body-only price of £1,599.00 in the UK. This positions it as the most affordable way into Nikon’s full-frame Z system, despite including a raft of upgrades inherited from more expensive models.

For comparison, the Nikon Z6 III currently costs £2,499.00, while the Z f is £2,149.00, making the Z5 II great value for creators who want excellent performance without the higher price tag.

With this update you’re getting Nikon’s fastest processor the EXPEED 7, together with the latest autofocus system, 3D tracking, and hybrid tools, but in a more accessible body that’s perfect for everyday content creation.

At launch, the Z5 II is available in a number of kits with Z mount lenses, ranging from compact zooms to all-in-one travel and telephoto options. Next, we’ll look at which Z5 II lens kit might suit your photography and filmmaking style.

Which Nikon Z5 II Kit is Right for You?

Alongside the Nikon Z5 II body-only, which is ideal for photographers who already own their preferred Z mount lens, we  have six kits to suit different creative needs. Each kit pairs the upgraded FX camera body with a versatile full-frame lens, providing a setup for specific content niches.

1. The Z5 II with 24-50mm f/4-6.3 is a compact, budget-friendly choice that’s great for beginners, creators upgrading from a smartphone and enthusiasts. The everyday zoom covers wide to standard focal lengths for street, portraits, and general photo/video content.
2. The Z5 II with 24-70mm f/4 S includes a more advanced, constant-aperture S-Line zoom for virtually anything from travel and landscapes to lifestyle, video and portraits. This kit is perfect for consistent exposure and edge-to-edge sharpness.
3. The Z5 II with 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR is the first all-in-one solution which provides extended reach, which is ideal for creators who need wide and telephoto potential from a single lightweight lens.
4. The Z5 II with 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR is a more specialist kit for outdoor sports, action, wildlife, aviation, and bird photographers who want long reach, precise autofocus, and teleconverter compatibility.
5. The Z5 II with 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S offers pro-level S-Line optics, which is well suited for sports, wildlife, and other demanding telephoto subjects.
6. The Z5 II with 28-400mm f/4-8 VR is the second all-in-one, and a travel-ready superzoom that lets you shoot everything from landscapes to distant wildlife with a go-anywhere zoom.

Nikon Z5 II Vs Z5 Key Upgrades

Nikon’s second-generation Z5 II introduces a range of upgrades over the original Z5, bringing many of the latest imaging technologies to an accessible full-frame body. At its core is the same EXPEED 7 processor found in Nikon’s advanced models including the Z6 III, Z8, and Z9. This enables a massive leap in overall speed, responsiveness, and image processing capabilities.

Autofocus performance has been significantly enhanced, with a new system that recognises nine types of subjects, including people, pets, birds, and vehicles, and now includes 3D Tracking for more precise focus when subjects move around the frame. This is paired with class-leading low-light focusing down to -10EV, which is on par with the Z f camera, for stellar performance even in near-darkness.

The Z5 II’s body also sees some useful refinements, such as a brighter 3000-nit EVF, an auto-rotating menu system for vertical shooting, and the addition of a dedicated Picture Control button, allowing quick access to custom looks and saved recipes.

To make it easier to compare the original Z5 and the new Z5 II, we’ve created a side-by-side specifications table showing all the key differences at a glance.

Nikon has clearly focused on ensuring that the Z5 II remains one of the best entry-level full-frame cameras on the market, by upgrading virtually every aspect for stills and video users. It’s better equipped to achieve more professional-looking results, with new tools like skin softening, product showcase mode, and upgraded video options that are easy to access and use.

Next, let’s take a closer look at how the Nikon Z5 II’s upgraded autofocus system performs in the real world.

Upgraded Autofocus

The Z5 II brings a significant leap in autofocus performance compared to the original Z5, with improvements that benefit both stills and video content. At the heart of this upgrade is a refined subject detection system powered by deep-learning algorithms, which enables the Z5 II to recognise and track nine distinct subject types.

These are all identified and followed with impressive accuracy, even when moving unpredictably through the frame, or when very small in the frame. Where earlier systems might lose focus during erratic movement, the Z5 II is more ‘sticky’.

When shooting a person in a crowd or tracking a fast-moving dog weaving through long grass using 3D tracking, the system intelligently shifts between the subject’s eyes, face, head or body to maintain focus. It’s particularly effective when capturing birds in flight or subjects that become partially hidden, which are situations that typically challenge conventional AF.

Human detection is also more reliable. The Z5 II can identify and focus on a subject’s eye even when it’s small in the frame, obscured by sunglasses, or facing away from the camera. When paired with fast continuous shooting at up to  30 fps with Pre-Release Capture and 3D Tracking, users have a much higher chance of nailing the decisive moment.

With this autofocus system, the Z5 II becomes a much more capable tool for everyday photography, wildlife, portraits, events and of course for everyday storytelling.

To help creators create their own unique style of content, Nikon has also included a dedicated Picture Control button, which we explore next.

Exploring Nikon Picture Profiles

A dedicated Picture Control button now features on the body, which gives you instant access to a variety of in-camera profiles that define the look and feel of your images or video. Whether shooting stills or filming content, Nikon’s Picture Controls allow you to create consistent visual styles without relying on external editing software.

Options include Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape and Flat. Each has its own distinct aesthetic, for example, ‘Vivid’ boosts contrast and saturation for punchy colours, while Flat is ideal for workflows that include colour grading in post. The Monochrome profile even has built-in filter and toning options, for black and white photography with creative control.

Users can further refine each profile by adjusting sharpening, contrast, brightness, saturation, and hue, directly within the Z5 II’s menu system. Accessing and tweaking these settings is straightforward, you can simply go to the Shooting Menu, choose ‘Set Picture Control’, and fine-tune your preferred style using the multi-selector.

For more advanced control, creators can connect to Nikon’s Imaging Cloud via the Nikon app. This allows you to download ‘recipes’ or presets from other photographers, expanding your creative toolkit with looks inspired by influencers or your favourite creators. You can also store and manage your own custom profiles, ensuring consistency across projects from anywhere.

Product Review Mode

A new feature to the Z5 series, Product Review Mode is specifically for creators who shoot hands-on review videos. This temporarily prioritises focus on objects close to the lens, making it easy to switch focus between your face and a product you’re showcasing, without needing to touch the screen or refocus manually.

Set to either full-frame detection or a customisable area, Product Review Mode locks focus onto items held in front of the camera, and is ideal for tech reviews, beauty tutorials or unboxing to name a few, producing more slick, professional results straight from camera.

Video Capabilities

Whether you create vlogs or are planning a more controlled production, the Nikon Z5 II supports a range of video workflows. This updated body captures oversampled 4K 30p video with no crop, 4K 60p with a crop for higher frame rates, and slow motion at 120p in Full HD. Footage can be recorded internally to a fast UHS-II SD card, including in-camera N-RAW, enabling high-quality recording with colour grading in post.

For more advanced workflows, the Z5 II includes N-Log video profiles and now supports RED LUTs, allowing you to preview footage with accurate colours during shooting and in editing software. These help creators develop a consistent visual style, whether for YouTube, clients, or personal projects.

RED LUTs in particular bring a professional look straight to camera and preview cleanly on the fully articulated LCD, helping bridge the gap between what you shoot and what your audience sees.

Creators also have a dedicated mic input, headphone output, and USB streaming support for live broadcasts, ensuring that the Z5 II adapts to any workflow.

Sample Food Shot, Nikon Z5 II with Z 28-400mmmm lens at 70mm. Camera settings 1/200 sec. f/6.0. ISO 640

Ergonomics and Handling

Despite being Nikon’s entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera, the Z5 II offers a surprisingly refined handling experience that feels familiar and professional. A deep grip provides excellent comfort and handling, whether you shoot handheld for long periods or simply carrying the camera between locations.

Weighing in at around 700g (with battery and memory card), it strikes a good balance between being lightweight and reassuringly sturdy. The button, dial and joystick layout will be instantly familiar to existing Nikon users, with intuitive controls that make it easy for beginners to learn, and efficient for experienced creators to customise. You’ll find front and rear dials for exposure control, and a range of function buttons that can be customised to your own needs.

An upgraded EVF is a significant improvement over the original Z5, boasting 3,000-nit brightness for greater visibility in outdoor conditions. It complements the large 2.1M-dot Vari-angle LCD, which now includes auto-rotating vertical menus. This is another upgrade that improves usability, especially for creators shooting in portrait orientation for TikTok or other channels. Overall, the Nikon Z5 II’s ergonomics are excellent for real-world use, especially if you’re used to a compact or smartphone experience.

Introduction to Nikon Imaging Cloud

The Z5 II is compatible with Nikon Imaging Cloud, which offers automatic cloud storage, straight from the camera, along with other services that can enhance your creative experience. These include cloud storage for images, easy firmware updates, and it allows users to download exclusive image recipes.

Best accessories

The Z5 II fits into a large ecosystem of Nikon and third-party accessories, giving creators the ability to expand their setup whenever needed. With ports for a microphone and headphones, the camera supports more advanced audio recording and monitoring, which is a very useful combination for vlogging and filmmaking, when you want to achieve high production quality.

Whether you record dialogue, interviews, or ambient sounds, the microphone input offers the ability to elevate audio to the same standard as the camera's video. Users can attach an external microphone such as the on-camera Rode VideoMicro II or use a wireless solution like the DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case).

For extended shooting or improved handling when capturing portrait-orientated content or studio work, the Z5 II is compatible with the Nikon MB-N14 Power Battery Grip. This not only improves ergonomics by offering a firmer hold, but also extends battery life and adds physical controls for vertical shooting.

For power, the Z5 II uses the same EN-EL15C battery as the first gen., which gives you around 380 shots per charge (depending on EVF or LCD use). It’s the same battery found in several other Z series cameras, making it easy to share or keep any spares if you already own Nikon gear.

The Nikon Z5 II is an exciting update to Nikon’s full-frame lineup, which offers a great mix of accessible features in an intuitive, compact body. It’s equally ideal for beginners, those upgrading from another camera or smartphone, and more established creators who want to shoot high-quality stills and video with a camera that will grow alongside their skills.

Shop for the Nikon Z5 II or browse our full range of Nikon mirrorless cameras to find the perfect kit for your needs.

If you’re upgrading, why not get a fast, free trade-in quotation? We take the hassle out of selling your old camera equipment with our convenient trade-in process.

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By Nick Dautlich on 03/04/2025

Nick Dautlich

Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer

Nick Dautlich is the Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer at Park Cameras, with over 15 years of photography experience. A Sony Imaging Professional and expert reviewer, Nick has worked with major brands such as Canon, Sony and Nikon. His work is also featured on Vanguard World UK’s website, Capture Landscapes, and Shutter Evolve. Nick’s photography includes National Trust projects and magazine covers and he is passionate about landscapes and storytelling. Nick also enjoys hiking and teaching his children about nature. Learn more on his profile page.