Z5 IIvs Z6 II
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Full-Frame Value — Z5 II (2024): The most accessible full-frame mirrorless — dual card slots, weather sealing, and Nikon colour at a sensible price.
All-Round Full-Frame Photography — Z6 II (2020): 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
Z5 II (2024)
- DSLR photographers making the switch to full-frame mirrorless
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame Z quality at the most accessible price
- Z5 owners wanting significantly improved autofocus and uncropped 4K
- Landscape and portrait photographers stepping up from APS-C
Z6 II (2020)
- 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
Quick take: The z5 ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 II (2024) | Z6 II (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,299 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | 24.5MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.5MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.5MP | 24.5MP |
| Video | 4K/30p oversampled, 1080p/120p, N-Log | 4K/60p, 4K/30p (oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle) | Phase-detect, 273 points, Eye AF, subject tracking |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops (up to 6 stops with VR lenses) |
| Burst Rate | 14fps mechanical, 30fps electronic | 14fps mechanical, 14fps electronic (12-bit RAW) |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~410 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 700g body only | 705g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.9mm | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.1M dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame) | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual card: 1× CFexpress Type B / XQD + 1× SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 II | Z6 II |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Street | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Video | — | |
| Wildlife | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history