The Nikon Z5 is your most affordable full-frame camera released by Nikon thus far. At $1400, it’s a great deal to offer in this lightweight, compact, and rugged camera system. A number of our readers may be thinking about how this camera differs from the Nikon Z6 which premiered a couple of decades back, so I decided to collect a contrast that reveals the differences between those cameras. We’ll initially begin with the body and ergonomic gaps side-by-side, then discuss attributes.
Nikon Z5 vs Nikon Z6 Comparison
First, let us take a look at the front of those 2 cameras:
As you can see, the two cameras seem quite similar, with very small differences on the top (because of the proceeded PASM dial), along with a smooth finish on the ideal side of the bracket onto the Z5. Size-wise (both height and width ), the cameras will be equal.
Here is the way the two cameras look from the very top:
Nikon essentially transferred the PASM dial from the left to the right on the Z5, eliminating the very best LCD display. The PASM dial itself has slightly altered. The elimination of this LCD display is really a bummer for people that are utilized for this, but that has been one solution for Nikon to decrease the price on the Z5. Aside from this, everything is identical.
Last, let us take a look at the backs of these cameras:
Yet more, the cameras are almost identical. The buttons, the back LCD, their positioning, and accessibility are exactly the same. The one distinction is on the ideal side — because the Z5 has dual SD card slots, its own memory card is somewhat taller compared. Another difference to notice, which isn’t visible in the picture, is that the reduced resolution of this LCD display on the Z5. As shown below, it’s 1,040k pixels versus 2,100k pixels over the Z6.
Comparison of Nikon Z5 vs Nikon Z6 specification
Next, We’ll Have a Look at these 2 cameras compare in terms of their technical specifications:
| Features | Nikon Z5 | Nikon Z6 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor Resolution | 24.3 MP | 24.5 MP |
| Low-Pass Filter | Yes | Yes |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| In-Body Image Stabilization | Yes, 5-axis | Yes, 5-axis |
| Sensor Size | 35.9 x 23.9mm | 35.9 x 24.0mm |
| Image Size | 6016 x 4016 | 6048 x 4024 |
| Pixel Size | 5.9µ | 5.9µ |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 6 | EXPEED 6 |
| Viewfinder | Electronic / EVF | Electronic / EVF |
| Viewfinder Type / Resolution | OLED / 3.69 Million Dots | OLED / 3.69 Million Dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.80x | 0.80x |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/200 |
| Storage Media | 2x SD UHS II | 1x XQD / CFexpress |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 4.5 FPS | 12 FPS |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/8000 | 1/8000 |
| Electronic Front-Curtain Shutter | Yes | Yes |
| Exposure Metering Sensor | TTL metering using camera image sensor | TTL metering using camera image sensor |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Native ISO Sensitivity | ISO 100-51,200 | ISO 100-51,200 |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF | Hybrid PDAF |
| Focus Points | 273 | 273 |
| Low-Light Sensitivity | -3.5 to 19 EV | -3.5 to 19 EV |
| Video Maximum Resolution | 4K @ up to 30p, 1080p @ up to 60p | 4K @ up to 30p, 1080p @ up to 120p |
| Video Crop | 1.7x Crop | Full sensor width |
| HDMI Out / LOG | 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI Output / Yes | 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI Output / Yes |
| Audio Recording | Yes | Yes |
| Articulating LCD | Yes, Tilting | Yes, Tilting |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| LCD Size | 3.2″ Diagonal LCD | 3.2″ Diagonal LCD |
| LCD Resolution | 1,040,000 dots | 2,100,000 dots |
| Built-in GPS | No | No |
| Wi-Fi / Band | 802.11a/ac/b/g/n / 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz | 802.11a/ac/b/g/n / 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.2 | Yes, 4.2 |
| Battery | EN-EL15c | EN-EL15b |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 470 shots | 380 shots |
| Weather-Sealed Body | Yes | Yes |
| USB Version | Type-C 3.1 | Type-C 3.1 |
| Weight (Camera Body Only) | 590g | 585g |
| Dimensions | 134 x 100.5 x 69.5mm | 134 x 100.5 x 67.5mm |
| MSRP | $1,399 (check current price) | $1,999 (check current price) |
Considering this comparison table, it’s apparent that both of these cameras have a lot in common. Much like resolution, the same processor, same EVF exactly the same camera system, and quite similar ergonomics. But, there are a few tiny differences between both of these cameras worth pointing out.
Difference (Nikon Z6 vs Z5)
To start with, the Nikon Z6 has two significant benefits over the Z5. It’s a far faster continuous shooting speed of 12 FPS vs just 4.5 FPS on the Z5, making the Z6 a desirable camera for photographing activity. Secondly, it has a far superior 4K video shooting capability, which benefits from the diameter of the entire detector with no cropping, whereas the Z5 has a large 1.7x harvest. Not vital for stills shooters, but a rather major deal for people who wish to utilize the Z5 for severe movie requirements. Aside from these, there are no other significant benefits within the Z5. This ought to provide a small advantage to this Z6 concerning high ISO performance but to not make a difference from the actual world.
Also Read: Aperture photography definition | Photography Basics
Where the Z5 leads is in double memory card slots, for people who believe it to be significant, and particularly for people who already possess SD memory cards and don’t wish to purchase pricey CF express / XQD cards. Another benefit is the new EN-EL15c battery, which provides noticeably greater battery life functionality on the Z5 versus the EN-EN15b battery to the Z6. Now, it’s unclear if the Z6 can benefit from this new battery life, but when it will, this you could be clean.
Last, let’s not neglect the major cost difference in MSRP involving the Z5 and Z6. While the purchase price of this Z6 has come down quite a bit in the previous two decades, and you could buy a used or grey market Z6 for approximately $1400-1500, it’s good that Nikon priced the Z5 at $1400. We can anticipate the purchase price of this Z5 to return within the upcoming few decades, allowing more individuals on a tight budget to enter full-frame.
For fans searching for quite a competent full-frame camera, it’s a fantastic option at a really reasonable price point.
