Decision tools · Compare
Z5 vs Z6
Quick take: The Z6 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the Z6 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 — Travel, Portrait, Video: Nikon's proof of concept — and a genuinely excellent camera.
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 (2018)
is the right camera for you if…
- Nikon DSLR users making their first move to mirrorless
- Photographers who want full-frame Nikon glass on a budget
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Z5Nikon · 2020 | Z6Nikon · 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,249 | £749Best |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 24.5MPBest |
| 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 | 12fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA)Best | 310 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 590g (body only) | 585g (body only)Best |
| 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 |
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
Portrait
7.7/10
7.2/10
Street
6.1/10
5.9/10
Travel
5.9/10
5.7/10
Wedding & Events
7.3/10
6.0/10
Filmmaking
6.1/10
6.3/10
Documentary
6.7/10
6.5/10
Sports & Action
6.4/10
6.9/10
Landscape
6.1/10
5.9/10
Wildlife
6.8/10
7.4/10
Casual
5.2/10
4.6/10
Food
6.6/10
6.5/10
Macro
6.4/10
6.3/10
Architecture
6.0/10
5.8/10
Astrophotography
6.4/10
6.1/10
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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