A Close Comparison of the Nikon Z5 and Z6: which is best for you?
Nikon has long been seen as a titan in the camera industry. With deep roots dating back to the earliest years of cameras, they've been influential in advancing technologies.
In recent years, they've been (smartly and efficiently) expanding their mirrorless camera line. Their most recent entry-level model, the Nikon Z5, hopes to lure compact camera and smartphone camera users looking to upgrade. The upgrade allows them to use an interchangeable lens camera, opening up a plethora of opportunities.
Many photographers will note that the new Z5 has a strong resemblance to the Nikon Z6. It's a more substantial camera created and marketed towards the intermediate-level photographer, even though it's not much more expensive than the Z5. (The Z5, however, comes with a kit lens.)
Before you opt to buy one or the other, you'll want to take a closer look at both and compare. Suppose you're an intermediate to advanced beginner. Should you go ahead and pay more for the Z6 now instead of investing in the Z5 know that you might need to upgrade in a few years?
Let's make a comparison of the two cameras to help you decide.
Sensor
Both models have an efficient 24-megapixel sensor. That's not bad for the intended users. However, there is a difference between the models when you take a closer look. The Z6 has the Backside Illuminated sensor. (The BSI allows for better image quality in low-lighting conditions.) You won't get the BSI with the Z5. It could make a big difference when shooting. The Z6, therefore, has an advantage over the Z5 when it comes to the sensor. If you don't typically shoot in low-light, handheld conditions, this won't make a difference to you.
ISO Speed
Both models offer native ISO ranges of 100-51200. The difference between the two models is that the Z6 can be expanded two stops further up to ISO 204800. The Z5 can only be extended to ISO 102400. However, both models can drop down to ISO 50.
Autofocus
Once again, both models appear to be the same with autofocus, offering crips images. That's because they both have the same 273-point Hybrid autofocus system with eye and animal detection. They can both focus
-3.5EV as a standard up to -6EV in the low-light, AF mode.
Continuous Shooting
When it comes to continuous shooting, the two models diverge rather significantly. The Nikon Z6 beats the Z5, hands-down. The Z6 can reach 12fps at its fastest, while the Z5 can only shoot at 4.5fps. That's a big difference. If you need to shoot a continuous sequence quickly, like with action shots, the Z6 is your better choice between the two.
Video
Both models offer 4K UHD video recording, up to 30fps. However, the Z5 has some significant limitations. If you are a serious videographer, the Z6 is the better choice.
The Nikon Z5 applies a whopping 1.7x crop to its 4K video. The Z6 captures oversampled 6K footage, producing more detailed results and no crop at all. The Z5's 1.7x crop forces the photographer to use wider-angle focal lengths to get the same field of view as the Z6, as well as faster lenses to achieve the same depth of field.
In 1080p/full HD mode, both cameras can shoot with no crop. However, the Z5 maxes out at 60fps, while the Z6 once again comes out ahead, thanks to its 120fps super-slow-mo mode.
The Z6 also offers N-Log recording for advanced profiling during post-production and 10-bit video recording externally via its HDMI output.
For average video recordings, the Z5 is sufficient. For better video results, go with the Z6.
Camera Body
The more expensive Z6 is slightly lighter (even is just barely) lighter than the Z5, weighing in at 585g versus 590g. It's also slightly smaller than the Z5 at 134 x 100.5 x 67.5mm versus 134 x 100.5 x 69.5mm. So neither of these two differences is significant.
So let's look at the handling/design and controls. You'll be happy to know that Nikon made almost no concessions between them. The Z6 has a top panel LCD screen and a lower resolution, rear LCD screen, while the Z5 has a conventional shooting mode dial. Aside from that, you'll find the models to be relatively similar: pro-level weather sealing, magnesium alloy construction, and a 5-axis image stabilization system. When it comes to handling and build quality, the two models are quite similar.
Let's take a closer look below:
LCD Screen & Panel
You will find a 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD on the rear that can tilt to 45 degrees on both models. However, the difference resides in their resolution. Z5 has a much lower resolution of 1.04-million dot, while the Z6 has a 2.1-million dot resolution. Also, in a side-by-side comparison, you could easily detect the difference between them.
The Z6 has a handy second top-plate LCD panel that's missing on the Z5, because it lacks the space for it.
Viewfinder
The Z5 and Z6 have the identical viewfinders: 0.5-inch, 3.69 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder, which offers 100% horizontal and vertical coverage, 21mm eyepoint, and 0.8x magnification.
Memory Cards
Not too surprisingly, the Z5 has two memory card slots, even though it's a cheaper model. It could be because there were so many complaints that its pricier predecessor, the Z6, only had one memory card slot. The Z5 uses the dual SD UHS-II cards. The Z6 uses a single XQD card. (Nikon claims it is less prone to failure than the SD format.) The SD cards are much cheaper than the less common XQD format. We think that when it comes to memory cards, the Z5 has the advantage.
Kit Lens
Of the many similarities and few differences, the kit lens strikes the greatest difference between the two models. The Z6 comes with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, which weighs almost as much as the camera itself. The Z5, however, comes with a new retractable kit lens, the Nikkor Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3. Between the two lenses, there are pros and cons.
The Z6's Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 every time is optically better.
The smaller Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 is far more portable.
Those two points aside, consider what you get for your purchase price.
You can buy the Z5 with the Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens included for less than the cost of Z6 body-only. If you're just starting out, presumably without a collection of lenses already in hand, the Z5 could be your better purchase.
Battery Life
It's not too surprising that as the newer model, the Z5 would have a new type of battery, the EN-EL 15C. It allows the camera to be powered by USB while being used. That's especially handy for video recording, timelapse, and travel photography. This means a lifespan of about 390 or 115 minutes of video when using the EVF; 470 still or 120 minutes of video when using the LCD screen. Compare that to 310 stills or 85 minutes of video on the Z6 when using the EVF. Note that the Z6 uses the older format EN-EL 15B battery with no USB charging. That gives you a significantly reduced battery life with no backup power option.
Price
Lastly, let's compare the pricing. The current average prices of the Nikon Z5 and Z6 are fairly similar, which might be surprising because you could argue that the Z6 is a more powerful camera. However, the similarities are due to the fact that the Z6 has been around almost two years, and the Z5 is brand new.
The Nikon Z5 is approximately $1399 body only or about $1699 with the Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 retractable zoom kit lens.
The Z6 is approximately $1800 camera only. That makes it similar in price to the Z5 bundle.
Conclusion
The older Z6 still offers a lot of advantages over its newer sibling, the Z5. Let's recap the two:
Video: The Z6 has the clear advantage with better video mode, much faster burst shooting, a top-panel LCD, a higher-resolution rear LCD screen, and better low-light performance thanks to its higher ISO range and BSI sensor.
Card slots: The Z5 is the better one with two slots.
Low-light shooting: The Z6 is your better buy if you shoot in low-light and handheld.
Battery life: The Z5 has a longer battery life with USB charging.
Pricing: The Z5 is a lower price, even with a super-compact kit lens.
Are you still confused over which model is better? Nikon introduced the Z5 as an entry-level camera compared to the slightly older Z6, which is an enthusiast model. There's not really a clear winner, but based on your needs, there are clear advantages that can help you decide which one to purchase. Good luck! Either way, we think you'll be getting a good camera at a reasonable price.
