Z5 IIvs FX3
VS
Sony
FX3 (2021)
Starting from £3799 new
Best for Professional video, documentary & cinematic filmmaking
View FX3
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.
Professional Video, Documentary & Cinematic Filmmaking — FX3 (2021): The definitive run-and-gun cinema camera — A7S III sensor quality in a body built specifically for video professionals.
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
FX3 (2021)
- Professional videographers and filmmakers who need cinema-quality colour science in a compact body
- Documentary and run-and-gun shooters who need 4K/120p and built-in XLR audio
- Sony A7S III owners who want a purpose-built video body alongside their stills camera
- Gimbal and drone operators who need a compact full-frame cinema camera
Quick take: The z5 ii has the highest resolution at 24mp; the z5 ii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 II (2024) | FX3 (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,299 | £3,799 |
| Sensor | 24.5MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS (same as A7S III) |
| Resolution | 24.5MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p oversampled, 1080p/120p, N-Log | 4K/120p, 4K/60p 10-bit, 12-bit RAW output, S-Log3, S-Cinetone |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle) | Real-time tracking with subject recognition (human, animal) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops | 5-axis IBIS — 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 14fps mechanical, 30fps electronic | 10fps mechanical, 10fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~640 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 700g body only | 715g body only (with XLR handle) |
| Dimensions | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.9mm | 129.7 × 78.0 × 84.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification | None — monitor/external EVF use only |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" touchscreen, fully articulating |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame) | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C (10Gbps), full-size HDMI, XLR via handle, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 II | FX3 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Street | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — |
More comparisons with Z5 II
Camera family history