Nikon have been diligently increasing their mirrorless digital camera vary in the previous few years because the Japanese large seeks emigrate their in depth DSLR person base over to this comparatively new know-how.
Their most up-to-date introduction is the Nikon Z5, an entry-level mannequin predominantly aimed toward smartphone and compact digital camera upgraders seeking to take their first step into the thrilling world of interchangeable lens cameras.
On paper a minimum of, although, the brand new Z5 bears greater than a passing resemblance to its greater brother, the Nikon Z6, which Nikon market in direction of a extra intermediate fanatic viewers.
With the worth of the 18-month outdated Z6 not being that a lot increased than the model spanking new Z5 (albeit the latter additionally delivery with a equipment lens), newbies and lovers alike could also be confused about which Nikon digital camera to decide on, so we’re bringing you this useful Nikon Z5 vs Z6 comparability that will help you select the fitting mannequin for you.
You can even learn our detailed Nikon Z5 evaluate and Nikon Z6 evaluate to seek out out precisely what we consider each.
Sensor
At first look there’s valuable little to decide on between the 2 digital camera right here, as each fashions have a really smart 24 megapixel sensor.
This has turn into the sweet-spot for entry-level and mid-range mirrorless cameras, with a lot increased megapixel counts reserved for premium flagship fashions.
Nonetheless, a better take a look at the specs sheets reveals that the Z6 has a BSI – Bottom Illuminated – sensor, whereas the Z5 doesn’t.
This can be a particular manufacturing course of that ought to lead to higher picture high quality in low-light conditions.
So with the megapixel depend being equal, the Nikon Z6 doubtlessly has the sting on the subject of increased ISO capturing, one thing that’s borne out in our full critiques of each cameras.
In the event you do not do a whole lot of handheld capturing in low-light, then there’s little or no to decide on between the 2 cameras by way of their picture sensor.
Video
Each the Z5 and Z6 supply 4K UHD video recording as much as 30fps, however the Z5 has numerous severe limitations which makes the Z6 a significantly better selection for extra severe videographers.
First off, the Nikon Z5 applies a large 1.7x crop to its 4K video, whereas the Z6 captures oversampled 6K footage and due to this fact produces extra detailed outcomes with no crop in any respect.
The 1.7x crop additionally signifies that you will want to make use of wider-angle focal lengths on the Z5 to attain the identical area of view because the Z6, and quicker lenses to attain the identical depth of area, one thing that can show notably problematic for avid vloggers who shall be pressured to place the digital camera additional away than at arms size.
Fortunately in 1080p / Full HD mode each cameras shoot with no crop in any respect, however once more the Z6 has the sting because of its 120fps super-slow-mo mode, with the Z5 topping out at 60fps.
Lastly, the Z6 moreover presents N-Log recording for superior profiling throughout post-production and 10-bit video recording externally by way of its HDMI output.
The Z5 continues to be a good sufficient digital camera for motion pictures, with a connection for an exterior microphone built-in and assist for focus peaking, zebras and timecode, plus the power to create time-lapses, however total the Z5 is the clear winner by way of video.
Autofocus
Considerably surprisingly the brand new Z5 has precisely the identical 273-point Hybrid autofocus system with eye and animal detection because the Z6, so each cameras supply the identical snappy efficiency, having the ability to give attention to all kinds of topics with the minimal of fuss.
Each cameras can focus all the way down to -3.5EV as normal and all the best way to -6EV within the low-light AF mode, in order that they’re equally well-equipped to cope with very low-light conditions.
ISO Pace
On paper there’s little to decide on between the 2 fashions right here, each providing native ISO ranges of 100-51200.
Crucially, although,the Z6 could be pushed two stops additional to ISO 204800, whereas the Z5 can solely be expanded to ISO (102400). Each can drop all the way down to ISO 50 if required.
Burst Taking pictures
Steady capturing is the place the Nikon Z6 has a transparent benefit over its cheaper sibling.
Whereas the Z5 can solely shoot at a somewhat pedestrian 4.5fps, the Z6 cranks issues as much as a complete different degree, reaching 12fps at its quickest setting.
This makes the Z6 significantly better suited to motion, chicken and wildlife images the place getting the right shot usually depends on having a sequence of very related photographs to select from.
As an apart, the flagship Z7 mannequin is slower than the Z6, reaching a most of 9fps, though that’s at a a lot increased decision of 45 megapixels.
Physique
The costlier, fanatic oriented Z6 is surprisingly ever so barely lighter than the Z5 – 585g versus 590g – and ever so barely smaller than the Z5 – 134 x 100.5 x 67.5mm versus 134 x 100.5 x 69.5mm.
The important thing distinction between the 2 by way of design and management structure is the Z6’s top-panel LCD display screen, which makes method for a standard capturing mode dial on the Z5.
In any other case the 2 cameras are very related certainly, with each providing the identical magnesium alloy development, pro-level weather-sealing and efficient 5-axis picture stabilisation system.
Apart from the highest LCD panel and the decrease decision rear LCD display screen, Nikon have made only a few concessions on the cheaper Z5 on the subject of dealing with and construct high quality.
Viewfinder
The Z5 and Z6 share precisely the identical 0.5-inch, 3.69 million-dot OLED digital viewfinder, which presents 100% horizontal and vertical protection, 0.8x magnification and 21mm eyepoint). So wanting by way of the viewfinder of each cameras shall be similar.
LCD Display
Each cameras have a 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD on the rear that may be usefully tilted to 45 levels, however the one on the Z5 is way decrease decision – 1.04-million dot decision versus 2.1-million dot decision on the Z6. In isolation the display screen on the Z5 is completely superb, however put the 2 cameras aspect by aspect and you may actually inform the distinction.
The Z5 additionally lacks the second top-plate LCD panel that the larger Z6 has room for, which could be very helpful for shortly checking the digital camera’s key settings, even when it is turned off.
Reminiscence Playing cards
The older Nikon Z6 got here below fireplace for less than having one reminiscence card slot, one thing that the cheaper, extra beginner-focused Z5 has surprisingly rectified by together with two card slots.
The Z6 does use a single XQD card, which Nikon declare is much less susceptible to failure than the SD format, whereas the Z5 makes use of twin SD UHS-II playing cards and due to this fact has extra want for a backup possibility.
We have solely ever seen a number of SD playing cards fail fully, although, so the Z5 undoubtedly has the sting right here, particularly as SD playing cards are a lot cheaper than the hardly ever used XQD format.
Battery Life
The newer Nikon Z5 makes use of a more moderen battery known as the EN-EL 15C, which permits the digital camera to be powered by USB while your utilizing it, particularly useful for timelapse images or video and for journey images when carrying a strong powerbank.
It additionally offers a CIPA-approved lifespan of 390 stills or 115 minutes of video when utilizing the EVF, or 470 stills or 120 minutes of video when utilizing the LCD display screen, in comparison with 310 photographs or 85 minutes of video on the Z6 when utilizing the EVF.
The older Z6 makes use of the EN-EL 15B battery, and would not permit USB charging, so that you successfully get a lot shorter battery life with no backup energy possibility out within the area.
Notice that the Z5 may also use the EN-EL 15B variant, however as you’d count on, you will not get USB charging then.
Equipment Lens
The lens that ships with every digital camera is without doubt one of the greatest differentiators between them.
While the Z6 is offered with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, which at 500g weighs nearly as a lot because the Z6, the Z5 ships with a model new retractable equipment lens, the Nikkor Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3.
We have already reviewed each of those lenses – optically we might select the Z 24-70mm f/4 each time, however though it is not the best lens by way of sharpness and zoom vary, the tiny Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 does rating extremely on the subject of portability.
And when you think about that you would be able to purchase the Z5 with the Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens for lower than the Z6 body-only, newer photographers and not using a assortment of Nikon lenses may do so much worse than begin with the Nikon Z5 equipment.
Worth
Having stated that, the road costs of the Nikon Z5 and Z6 are surprisingly shut in the intervening time, primarily as a result of the Z5 is model new and the Z6 has already been available on the market for 18 months.
The Nikon Z5 is out there now priced at $1399 physique solely or £1719 / $1699 with the Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 retractable zoom equipment lens.
The Z6 is priced at round £1699 physique / $1800 solely, placing it on par with the Z5 bundle, however we have seen even cheaper offers sometimes.
Conclusion
The Nikon Z5 stands out as the shiny new child on the block, however the older Z6 nonetheless presents a whole lot of benefits over its newer sibling, at a worth that is solely barely increased than the so-called Z5 entry-level mannequin.
Chief amongst these is the significantly better video mode, a lot quicker burst capturing, top-panel LCD, higher-resolution rear LCD display screen, and higher low-light efficiency because of its BSI sensor and better ISO vary.
In the event you do not shoot a whole lot of video and primarily stick capturing in good mild or with a tripod, then the Z5 continues to be a price contender, particularly because it has twin card slots, longer battery life and helps USB charging, all at a less expensive worth with a super-compact equipment lens besides.
Nikon are advertising and marketing the Z5 as an entry-level digital camera and the Z6 as an fanatic mannequin, nevertheless it’s clear from our comparability that deciding between these two cameras is much more tough than Nikon would have you ever imagine…
