Decision tools · Compare
Z5 vs Z6 II
Quick take: The Z6 II has the highest resolution at 24MP; the Z5 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
Z5 — Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers: The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
Z6 II — All-Round Full-Frame Photography: 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)
is the right camera for you if…
- 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)
is the right camera for you if…
- 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
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Z5Nikon · 2020 | Z6 IINikon · 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,249Best | £1,599 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 24.5MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 24.5MPBest |
| 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)Best |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA)Best | ~410 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 590g (body only)Best | 615g (body only) |
| 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 |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
Z5
Z6 II
Portrait
7.7/10
7.6/10
Street
6.1/10
6.0/10
Travel
5.9/10
5.8/10
Wedding & Events
7.3/10
7.4/10
Filmmaking
6.1/10
6.7/10
Documentary
6.7/10
6.9/10
Sports & Action
6.4/10
7.5/10
Landscape
6.1/10
6.0/10
Wildlife
6.8/10
7.6/10
Casual
5.2/10
5.0/10
Food
6.6/10
6.6/10
Macro
6.4/10
6.4/10
Architecture
6.0/10
6.0/10
Astrophotography
6.4/10
6.3/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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