Z5vs Z6 II
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.
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 (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 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 z6 ii has the highest resolution at 24mp; the z5 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 (2020) | Z6 II (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 24.5MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 24.5MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | 4K/60p, 4K/30p (oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | Phase-detect, 273 points, Eye AF, subject tracking |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops (up to 6 stops with VR lenses) |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 14fps mechanical, 14fps electronic (12-bit RAW) |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~410 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 590g (with battery) | 705g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.1M dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual card: 1× CFexpress Type B / XQD + 1× SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 | Z6 II |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Video | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Wildlife | — |
More comparisons with Z5
Camera family history