Z5vs Z6
VS
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers — Z5 (2020): The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
Travel, Portrait, Video — Z6 (2018): Nikon's proof of concept — and a genuinely excellent camera.
Who should buy what
Z5 (2020)
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
Z6 (2018)
- Nikon DSLR users making their first move to mirrorless
- Photographers who want full-frame Nikon glass on a budget
Quick take: The z6 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the z6 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 (2020) | Z6 (2018) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £749 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 24.5MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | 4K 30fps (full-width), 1080p 120fps |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | 273-point phase-detect hybrid AF |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | 5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 12fps |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | 310 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 590g (with battery) | 585g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 134.0 × 100.5 × 67.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | EVF 0.80× 3.69M-dot |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.1M-dot |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | Nikon Z-Mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single XQD / CFexpress Type B |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C 3.1, HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 | Z6 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
More comparisons with Z5
Camera family history