Decision tools · Compare
Z5 II vs Z6 II
Quick take: The Z5 II is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
Z6 II — All-Round Full-Frame Photography: The Z6 II is the Nikon most photographers should buy. It's balanced across every discipline — stills, video, autofocus, weather sealing — without overpaying for megapixels you don't need. The Z-mount glass is superb.
Who should buy what
Z6 II (2020)
is the right camera for you if…
- Nikon DSLR users ready to move to mirrorless
- Photographers who need a reliable all-rounder without specialising
- Video creators wanting 4K/60p in a weather-sealed body
- Enthusiasts who shoot everything from portraits to travel
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Z5 IINikon · 2025 | Z6 IINikon · 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,599Best | £1,599Best |
| Sensor | 24.5MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.5MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.5MP | 24.5MP |
| Video | 4K/60p (crop), 4K/30p (uncropped), 10-bit N-Log | 4K/60p, 4K/30p (oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase-detect AF with 9 subject types (people, animals, birds, vehicles) | Phase-detect, 273 points, Eye AF, subject tracking |
| Stabilisation | 7.5-stop IBIS with Focus Point VR | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops (up to 6 stops with VR lenses) |
| Burst Rate | 14fps | 14fps mechanical, 14fps electronic (12-bit RAW) |
| Battery Life | 380 shots (CIPA) | ~410 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 700g (with battery and card) | 615g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | — | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification |
| Screen | Vari-angle touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.1M dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD (UHS-II) | Dual card: 1× CFexpress Type B / XQD + 1× SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
Z5 II
Z6 II
Portrait
8.4/10
7.6/10
Street
6.5/10
6.0/10
Travel
6.4/10
5.9/10
Wedding & Events
8.1/10
7.4/10
Vlogging & Video
6.2/10
—
Filmmaking
7.1/10
6.7/10
Documentary
7.7/10
6.9/10
Sports & Action
7.9/10
7.5/10
Landscape
7.0/10
6.0/10
Wildlife
8.0/10
7.6/10
Casual
5.5/10
5.0/10
Food
7.6/10
6.6/10
Macro
7.2/10
6.4/10
Architecture
7.3/10
6.0/10
Astrophotography
7.4/10
6.3/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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