Congratulations to Nikon; its Nikon Z5II has won Videomaker’s Best Camera at NAB 2025 in Las Vegas.
The Nikon Z5II delivers many of the professional benefits of Nikon’s flagship cameras in a lightweight camera body. Let’s go over what those benefits are:
Full-frame sensor
The new Nikon Z5II mirrorless camera features a highly sensitive back-illuminated (BSI) full-frame CMOS sensor. Nikon says that this gives you beautiful rendering of textures and details, even in dimly lit situations, with minimal noise. The camera also uses the same high-power EXPEED 7 image processing engine as Nikon’s top of the range professional cameras, the Z8 and Z9. This processor delivers incredible levels of performance and extremely fast AF with subject detection powered by deep learning AI technology.
Fast focus
Nikon says that the autofocus on the Z5II is precise and super-fast. It can lock on focus in around a third of the time of the previous model. The Z5II can also track a wide range of moving subjects with a 3D-tracking AF mode for both stills and video. These subjects include people, dogs, cats, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes and trains.
Also, the Z5II is the first full-frame mirrorless Nikon camera with AF-A focus mode for still photography. In this mode, the camera automatically switches between AF-S and AF-C focus modes in response to subject movement or changes in composition.
Low light
Thanks to its back-illuminated CMOS sensor and the EXPEED 7 image-processing engine, Nikon says that the Z5II delivers exceptional low-light capabilities and outstanding image quality with minimal noise. The camera offers a standard ISO sensitivity range of 100-64,000, which can be expanded ISO 204,800. However, the maximum ISO for video recording is 51,200.
Nikon says that the Z5II delivers class-leading autofocus detection down to -10 EV for accurate, reliable focus in dim and dark conditions.
Video features
The Nikon Z5II can capture 4K UHD video at 30 frames per second (fps) with no crop from the full-frame sensor. You can also shoot up to 60 fps in 4K with a 1.5x crop, and up to 120 fps in Full HD for super slow motion. The Z5II is Nikon’s first camera that can record RAW to an SD card. Its internal recording options include 12-bit N-RAW, 10-bit H.265 and 8-bit H.264. In addition, you can record in N-Log for greater color grading flexibility in post-production. This means that Z5II users have access to the free RED LUTs. These were developed in collaboration with RED to deliver cinematic looks.
In-camera vibration reduction
The Z5II features Nikon’s VR vibration reduction in-camera image stabilization system. This delivers up to 7.5 stops of stabilization at the center of the frame and six stops at the edges. Focus-point VR tailors the stabilization to the area covered by the active AF point, even when it is positioned near the edge of the frame.
When filming in Full HD, Hi-Res zoom uses the camera’s 4K resolution to zoom up to 2x without any loss of quality.
Picture controls
The Nikon Z5II supports one-button access to Picture Controls, plus compatibility with the Nikon Imaging Cloud. In a single press of the dedicated Picture Control button, you can see the effects of 31 built-in film-inspired color presets in real time. You can also use Imaging Recipes downloaded from the Nikon Imaging Cloud.
Additionally, the Z5II supports Flexible Color Picture Control, so you can create your own unique color styles using Nikon’s free NX Studio software. You can then import these Custom Picture Controls to the Z5II.
Other features
The Z5II has an electronic viewfinder with up to 3000 nits brightness. Nikon says this is 6x brighter than any competing model. There is also a 3.2-inch vari-angle LCD touchscreen that you can rotate freely to nearly any angle. This makes it easy to compose your shots, even when you hold the camera high up or low down.
The camera has ports for an external microphone as well as headphones to monitor your audio. The Nikon Z5II’s front, back, and top covers are made from magnesium alloy. This delivers exceptional durability and outstanding dust-and drip-resistance.
What we think
The Z5II delivers many of the features of Nikon’s flagship mirrorless cameras at a much lower price. It’s half the price of the Z8 and less than a third of the cost of the Z9. Although 4K video is limited to 60 fps, the ability to record RAW video internally to an SD card is a great feature. The option to shoot in N-Log gives you footage ideally suited to color grading in post-production. Considering the camera’s image stabilization, auto-focus and low-light capabilities, it should deliver great video images. If you are looking to enter the Nikon mirrorless video eco-system or want to upgrade from your current Z-mount camera, the Z5II is a strong contender.
Pricing and availability
The Nikon Z5II full-frame mirrorless camera will be available this month (April 2025) and will retail at $1,699 for the body only.
