Z5 IIvs ZV-E1
VS
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.
Video Creators, Vloggers & Filmmakers — ZV-E1 (2023): Full-frame video quality in a vlogging body — exceptional low-light performance and a genuinely compact form factor.
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
ZV-E1 (2023)
- Video creators who want full-frame low-light quality in a compact body
- Vloggers stepping up from APS-C who prioritise image quality over resolution
- Filmmakers who want S-Log3 and cinematic colour in a run-and-gun package
- A7S III users who want the same sensor in a smaller, lighter body
Quick take: The z5 ii has the highest resolution at 24mp; the z5 ii is the most affordable; only the z5 ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 II (2024) | ZV-E1 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,299 | £1,999 |
| Sensor | 24.5MP Full-frame BSI CMOS | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R |
| Resolution | 24.5MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p oversampled, 1080p/120p, N-Log | 4K/60p (S-Cinetone, S-Log3), 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle) | Real-time Tracking AF with subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops | IBIS — Active Mode for video |
| Burst Rate | 14fps mechanical, 30fps electronic | 10fps |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~570 shots (CIPA) / ~105 min video |
| Weight | 700g body only | 483g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.9mm | 121.4 × 71.6 × 54.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification | None — screen only |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame) | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm mic, Multi-Interface Shoe |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 II | ZV-E1 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Street | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Low Light | — |
More comparisons with Z5 II
Camera family history