Nikon Z5 vs Nikon Z7 II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · Mirrorless · 24 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Nikon Z5
78
SCORE
|
Nikon · Mirrorless · 45.75 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Nikon Z7 II
85
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Z5 and the Nikon Z7 II are both mirrorless cameras released in 2020, announced in July and October respectively. So you are choosing between same-year models rather than an old body and a new one. They are also close in body size, 134 x 100.5 x 69.5 mm for the Z5 against 134 x 101 x 70 mm for the Z7 II. The Z5 is the lighter camera at 675 g against 705 g, a 30 g difference. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2020 | 2020 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 21, 2020 | October 14, 2020 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 134 x 100.5 x 69.5 mm | 134 x 101 x 70 mm |
| Camera weight | 675 g | 705 g |
| Optics | 81/100 | 86/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Z7 II is the stronger choice for landscape and detail work, because its 45.75 MP sensor gives you far more room to crop or print large than the Z5's 24 MP. For action it leads too, with a maximum burst of 10 fps against 4.5 fps, useful for birds in flight or sports. Its 439 autofocus points outnumber the Z5's 273. A shared Nikon Z mount means either body takes the same native lenses. Both use full-frame CMOS sensors with in-body stabilisation for steadier handheld frames, and both offer a 1/8000 second maximum shutter for wide apertures in bright light. The expanded ISO ceiling matches at 102400. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24 MP050 | 45.75 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6016 x 4016 | 8256 x 5504 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
23.9 x 35.9 | 23.9 x 35.9 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
4.5 fps045 | 10 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon Z | Nikon Z |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed 6 | Dual Expeed 6 |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 6430200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
512003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 3230200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
1024003003280000 | 1024003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
2730300 | 4390300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 368640009900000 | 369000009900000 |
| Video | 83/100 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoIf slow motion is part of your work, the Z7 II offers more room to slow fast action, with a maximum video frame rate of 120 fps against 60 fps on the Z5. That makes the Z7 II the better pick for dramatic playback of movement, from sports to wildlife. For standard clips the two are similar, as both record up to 4K and offer a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 120 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MOV, MP4 |
| Features | 72/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Z7 II is the better body for shooting outdoors in rough conditions, because it has weather sealing and the Z5 does not. Neither camera has GPS or a built-in flash. Both have a 3.2-inch flip screen with touch control and live view, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer. The Z7 II's rear screen has roughly twice the dots at 2.1 million against 1.04 million, so menus and playback look crisper. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 21000001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 73/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth take the same EN-EL15c battery and offer two card slots. Under their rated test conditions the Z5 runs longer at 470 shots versus 420 for the Z7 II. Their card slots differ in format. The Z7 II pairs an SD slot with CFexpress Type B or XQD, while the Z5 uses two SD slots. Only the Z7 II charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD, CFexpress Type B / XQD (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | EN-EL15c | EN-EL15c |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
470 shots1505000 | 420 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon Z7 II if you shoot landscapes, wildlife or anything you crop heavily, because its 45.75 MP sensor, 10 fps burst and weather sealing serve those situations directly. Its 120 fps maximum video frame rate adds slow-motion capability the Z5 cannot match.
The Nikon Z5 remains the sensible pick for travel and everyday photography. It is 30 g lighter, runs longer on a rated charge at 470 shots, and its two SD slots keep card choice simple. If you mainly share images online rather than printing large, its 24 MP sensor covers that.