Nikon has released a new full-frame FX format mirrorless camera for the Z mount. The Nikon Z5IIC matches the performance of the Nikon Z5II while adding features aimed at people buying their first full-frame body.
Portable design
Size is the headline here. The body measures 5.3 x 3.2 x 2.9 inches (134 x 80.5 x 72 mm) and weighs 19 ounces (538 g), light enough to carry every day without thinking about it.
Getting there meant a trade-off. The Z5IIC has no viewfinder, so you’ll be composing on the 3.2-inch vari-angle monitor. That screen does flip out for selfies and low angles, and it responds to smartphone gestures like double-tap, pinch and swipe, which makes the menus far less intimidating for a newcomer.
Scene modes
This is Nikon’s first full-frame mirrorless camera with scene modes on the mode dial. You get 15 options covering portraits, pets and food, along with harder situations like night landscapes and twilight. Pick one, and the camera adjusts more than six settings behind the scenes, white balance and Picture Control among them.
You can also load Imaging Recipes, which are image presets built by Nikon and outside creators to style your shots in-camera.
AI Auto mode
Nikon designed the Z5IIC for users who want a hands-off approach. Its deep-learning subject detection recognizes what’s in the frame, then sets aperture, shutter speed, ISO and autofocus to match.
In-camera vibration reduction backs that up with up to 7.5 stops of stabilization, which matters most when you’re shooting handheld at slower shutter speeds.
Video features
Behind the mount sits a 24.5 MP backside-illuminated CMOS sensor paired with the same EXPEED 7 processor Nikon uses in its flagship. That combination delivers 4K UHD at up to 60 frames per second (fps) and Full HD at up to 120 fps, with 4x and 5x slow motion available in-camera.
For anyone who grades, the Z5IIC records H.265 10-bit in MOV, along with N-RAW and N-Log. UVC/UAC support also lets it work as a webcam without extra hardware.
Other features
Product Review Mode is the standout. Hold an item toward the lens, and focus shifts to it smoothly rather than hunting, which is exactly what you want for a review video.
The body is dust- and drip-resistant, with magnesium alloy in key areas for rigidity. Black and silver finishes are available.
What we think
The Z5IIC delivers Z5II performance in a smaller package. The scene modes and touch controls make it approachable for someone stepping up to full frame for the first time.
Experienced shooters shouldn’t dismiss it either. Matching the flagship’s processor means the footage cuts cleanly alongside other Nikon bodies, which makes this a sensible B cam. The missing viewfinder is the real question. Composing on an LCD in bright sunlight is genuinely hard, so if you shoot outdoors often, handle one before you commit.
Pricing and availability
The Nikon Z5IIC ships from the middle of October at $1,399 for the body only.
