Nikon Z 5 2020

The Nikon Z 5 is an entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera that nails the basics: great EVF, solid IBIS, and reliable autofocus. It's a strong choice for travel and everyday photography, especially if you can find it near the USD 860 end of its price range. Just don't expect it to keep up with fast action or serious video work.

The Z 5's 24.3MP sensor sits right around the middle of the pack in our database, which sounds underwhelming until you remember this is a full-frame sensor we're talking about. Dynamic range and low-light performance are solid, and the 5-stop IBIS helps you handhold shots in dim conditions without cranking the ISO into noise territory. The 273-point autofocus system with Eye AF and Animal AF is actually one of the stronger parts of this camera, landing near the top of our rankings. It's not going to embarrass a Sony a7R IIIA, but it's reliable for portraits and everyday shooting.

The burst rate is where things get rough. At 4.5fps mechanical, this camera is near the bottom of our database for continuous shooting. If you're photographing kids running around the yard, you'll get some keepers. If you're trying to track a bird in flight or a soccer player mid-kick, you'll miss more than you catch. Video is also just okay, with 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps. The 4K footage is cropped, which is a known annoyance for vloggers and anyone who wants to use wide-angle lenses for video.

Against the Fujifilm X100 VI, the Z 5 offers a full-frame sensor and interchangeable lenses, but the Fuji is a much more modern camera with better burst shooting and video features. The X100 VI is also a fixed-lens camera, so it's a different beast entirely. If you want a compact everyday carry, the Fuji wins. If you want a system camera with room to grow, the Nikon makes more sense.

The Sony a7R IIIA is the more direct competitor. It has a higher-resolution 42MP sensor and better autofocus tracking, but it typically costs more and lacks the Z 5's newer menu system. The OM System OM-1 Mark II is a Micro Four Thirds camera, so it can't match the Z 5's low-light performance, but it absolutely destroys the Nikon in burst speed and wildlife shooting. If you're into sports or wildlife, the OM-1 Mark II is the obvious choice. The Panasonic LUMIX S1RII is a full-frame beast with better video specs, but it's also heavier and pricier. The Z 5's real advantage is that it's the cheapest full-frame option in this group, and it's the lightest at 142g for the body.

The value story here depends entirely on where you buy it. We found listings ranging from USD 860 to USD 1,760, and that USD 900 gap is wild for the same camera. The best deal we spotted was through Newegg, where the Z 5 with the 24-200mm lens was listed at USD 1,641 with fast shipping. If you can snag the body near the lower end of that range, you're getting a full-frame camera with IBIS and a great EVF for less than many crop-sensor competitors. At the higher end, you're better off looking at a used Sony a7R IIIA or even stretching for something newer. The Z 5's affordability percentile in our database is middling, which tells you it's not the screaming deal it once was, but it's also not overpriced if you shop smart.

The Nikon Z 5 is Nikon's entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera, and it's one of the more interesting budget options in the compact mirrorless category. It packs a 24.3MP FX-format CMOS sensor and the EXPEED 6 image processor into a body that's weather sealed and surprisingly comfortable to hold. If you're searching for an affordable full-frame camera that doesn't feel like a toy, this one lands in a sweet spot, assuming you can find it at a decent price.

We see prices all over the map for this thing, from USD 860 to USD 1,760 depending on the vendor and kit. That's a massive spread, and it changes the value conversation completely. At the low end, you're getting a full-frame sensor with in-body stabilization for less than many APS-C cameras. At the high end, you're paying a premium for a camera that's been around for a few years now.

For travel and general photography, the Z 5 scores well in our database. It's not a speed demon, but it's built for people who want full-frame image quality without selling a kidney. The 24-200mm kit lens option makes it a flexible all-rounder, though the body-only route leaves room for better glass.

Skip the Z 5 if you shoot sports, wildlife, or anything that moves fast. The 4.5fps burst rate will frustrate you, and there are better options like the OM System OM-1 Mark II for action. Video shooters should also look elsewhere, since the cropped 4K and lack of 10-bit recording make this a poor fit for serious video work. If you need a camera with strong social proof and a big community of users, this isn't it either, with only a handful of reviews out there. And if you can only find it near the USD 1,760 end of the price range, you're overpaying for what you get.

Should you buy the Nikon Z 5? If you want a full-frame camera for travel, portraits, or general photography and you can find it for under USD 1,000, yes. It's a comfortable, well-built camera with a great viewfinder and reliable autofocus. The image quality is exactly what you'd expect from a full-frame Nikon, which is to say it's very good.

But if you shoot action, wildlife, or video, this is not your camera. The 4.5fps burst rate is a dealbreaker for fast-moving subjects, and the cropped 4K video is a letdown. The Z 5 is a camera for people who shoot deliberately, not for people who need to capture every millisecond. For the right person at the right price, it's a fantastic entry into full-frame photography. For everyone else, there are better tools for the job.