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Cameras

Nikon Z5 II Review: Anything But Entry Level

Feroz Khan
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Last updated on 07/14/2025
07/16/2025
10 Mins read
A Nikon Z series camera with a lens attached, placed on a magazine, lens cap nearby.
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Whether Nikon likes it or not, this camera will be christened as an entry-level full-frame camera in their Z mirrorless lineup. And why not, especially since there’s no other (at least 2nd gen) Z full-frame camera sitting before it currently. But to say the specs, build, and overall image quality are entry-level would be doing this model a grave injustice. Nikon has taken a lot of the best qualities of the bigger brothers of the Nikon Z5 II and carefully blended them into this model. Think of it as one of those power booster smoothies you see at juice bars. The ones that, even if you’re not all that low on energy levels, still manage to leave you satisfied and refreshed. After using the Nikon Z5 II, you’d go back home with pretty much the same feelings.

In fact, it’s making a pretty good argument for skipping APS-C entirely.

The Big Picture: Nikon Z5 II Review Conclusions

A Nikon Z5 II camera with a 35mm lens rests on a magazine next to a lens cap.
The Nikon Z5 II with my 35mm Z f1.4 lens

I spent quite some time with the Nikon Z5 II around the UAE. Whether I was indoors or outdoors, I found this camera punched above its weight category. This didn’t feel, perform, or deliver in an entry-level way. The Z5 II might be priced for beginners, but it shoots like a camera that wandered off from a slightly higher tier. Nikon’s full-frame mirrorless line is starting to feel like a family of overachievers—no bad apples, just slightly different flavors of excellent. This model is quietly the most disruptive member yet. And when you remember that with the major firmware upgrades on the Z9 and Z8, Nikon gave its owners features that would normally come only with newer models, you start to realise that the company has more than caught up in the mirrorless race it once seriously lagged behind in. The Nikon Z5 II is probably their best all-rounder camera, considering that it’s cheaper than the Z6 III launched last year. I had the Middle East’s first unit of the Nikon Z5 some years ago when I tested it out, and can confidently say the Nikon Z5 II is a whole different beast.

  • The Expeed 7 processor makes autofocusing much faster
  • Nikon’s color science is starting to look great
  • A dedicated Imaging Recipe button means you can shoot film-style photos a lot more easily
  • Deeper hand grip and better weather sealing compared to the Z5
  • 9 types of subject detection
  • Up to 7.5 stops of image stabilization

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I’m giving the Nikon Z5 II four out of five stars. For most amateurs and intermediates considering a Nikon mirrorless, this is the one to buy. For prosumers and part-time professionals, the Z5 II makes a serious case to be chosen as a second body. I only wish Nikon had done away with the flippy screen and instead went with the type that you see in the Z8 and Z9 models. The lack of a sensor screen when changing lenses is also a letdown; all cameras these days should really come with this level of protection by now.

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Experience

A Nikon Z5 II camera with a 35mm lens rests on a magazine beside a detached camera lens.
The Z5 II on its side

Back in Nikon’s DSLR days, segregation between the various tiers of models was clear. The D3200 was for your cousin who just discovered bokeh. The D5xxx models were for those who wanted a flip screen for whatever reason. And the D7xxx models meant you were seriously committed to photography but couldn’t afford a larger sensor camera. Full-frame was a different league. The D700, the D810, the D3X—each one had its own vibe, its own audience, and a very different feature set. Nobody mistook a D4 for a D610. However, now the Z series is blurring these lines, and the Z5 II is leading the charge.

In fact, it’s making a pretty good argument for skipping APS-C entirely.

Close-up of a Nikon Z5 camera with its screen displaying a photo of a mosque and people outside.
I dislike flip-type screens like this one on the Nikon Z5 II

The Nikon Z5 II features the same 24.5MP full-frame Back Side Illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor as my excellent Nikon Zf does. It’s also paired with the latest Expeed 7 processor that the Z9 has – kind of like putting in a Porsche Cayenne engine into a new Honda Civic. Sure, it’s your daily driver car, but you can really floor it and get some serious performance around those sharp corners, stunning everyone around you occasionally. The result? Autofocus that’s fast, sticky, and confident even in harsh Middle Eastern sunlight that’s gotten a lot of haze too lately. Whether it was outdoors in nearly 120°F weather or indoors in a dark aquarium, the autofocus speeds on the Z5 II impressed. Subject detection didn’t falter much when in auto detection mode either.

A hand holding a Nikon Z5 II camera with a NIKKOR 35/1.4 lens, seen from above.
The grip on the Z5 II is much deeper than the one on its predecessor

I wasn’t expecting a premium-feeling body, but the deep grip on this new model really makes you feel like you can walk around without a strap (still not something I’d recommend). Nikon has left the CF Express slot for higher-tier models. You still get only SD card slots. Vloggers and selfie enthusiasts will appreciate the flip-model LCD, but I certainly am not one for this. I didn’t observe any unusual battery drain despite hours of usage.

It’s also paired with the latest Expeed 7 processor that the Z9 has – kind of like putting in a Porsche Cayenne engine into a new Honda Civic.

Close-up of a digital camera’s top controls, showing dials and buttons for settings and power.
Watch out Fujifilm; Nikon cameras are coming out with support for great retro recipes and this button is making it so much easier to use them

On my Nikon Zf, I’ve configured the i-menu to have a slot for Imaging Recipes, but given their exploding popularity and increased support on new models, Nikon decided to add a separate button altogether for this, like they did on the Z50 II. Unlike with the ISO button, you don’t need to keep holding this one down to scroll between the various recipes you want to choose from. I really enjoyed the experience of using this button, as it helps you quickly pick out the perfect visual recipe for the scene in front of you. This kind of flexibility is something that a lot of photographers chose and switched to Fujifilm for.

Subject detection was better than I expected it to be when I set it to auto detection mode, but as always with Nikon Z cameras, it’s best when you pre-select the right subject type, and limit the area of detection with the S or W focus area selections. For general photography, the 3D Autofocus tracking system performs very intuitively.

Image Quality

I used the Nikon Z5 II, which was a loaner from Nikon, with my Nikon Z 24-120mm f4, my Nikon Z 35mm f1.4, and the Laowa 20mm f4 Shift lens. Color accuracy was on par with what I see on my Nikon Zf, which I consider to be the gold standard for full-frame cameras today, among the cameras I’ve tested. On the Standard picture profile, every color seen in a JPEG image was as accurate as my eyes saw it directly. The dynamic range is fantastic on the Z5 II, but I had some issues with the highlights on numerous occasions. The meter would be where I’d expect it to be, but highlights seemed to be severely blown out when viewed on the LCD or on the viewfinder.

When viewing the files on my laptop, everything seemed normal. I do think this is something a firmware upgrade can easily fix. Aside from that, the Z5 II produces images that feel finished, even before you’ve touched Lightroom. So often I was supremely pleased with the JPEG versions of recipe clicks that I didn’t need to go into the raw files. A lot of the files you see below are this way. Image quality-wise, Nikon is practically giving you a full-frame powerhouse at a price that used to get you a crop-sensor camera and a kit lens. Low-light high-ISO output is impressively clean and retains a decent amount of detail in the shadows.

A person in a white shirt taking a photo through aquarium glass with fish swimming in front.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Small fish swim inside an old car with a worn seat, viewed through the car window.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A clownfish swims near colorful coral in an aquarium with a blurred blue background.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A bright orange fish swims in an aquarium with a rocky, textured background and another fish nearby.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Pink jellyfish glowing and floating in dark water with a deep red hue.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Silvery fish swim in deep blue water, illuminated by sunlight streaming from above.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Large stone Moai statue underwater with fish swimming nearby and coral growing on the statue.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A leafy tree and lush green plants in a sunlit park or garden.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Yellow childrens bicycle with red writing on the handlebars, parked on a tiled pavement among other bikes.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Pink bougainvillea flowers and green leaves, with a blurred green background.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Close-up of green grass blades with brown tips; blurred background with grass and people sitting.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Sign showing tennis court rules and regulations next to a chain-link fence, with evening sky in the background.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Close-up of a padlock on a wire fence with a blurred tennis court in the background.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Tall palm tree with fan-shaped leaves against a pale, pastel sky at sunset or sunrise.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Green leafy plant with heart-shaped leaves against a blurred gray and brick-patterned background.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A tennis ball stuck in a chain-link fence on an outdoor tennis court.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
People relaxing and playing on a green lawn with modern apartment buildings in the background at sunset.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Close-up view of several parked bicycles with tires and handlebars overlapping in an urban setting.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
An orange wooden trash bin stands on a sidewalk near a building labeled U3 at dusk.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Tall palm trees line a walkway in a modern residential area with people walking and a child riding a bike.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A child in an orange shirt stands near a soccer ball by palm trees and modern apartment buildings at sunset.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Close-up of vibrant green leaves densely packed together, creating a lush, natural texture.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Children and adults play on a grassy field in front of modern apartment buildings, with trees and a red scooter.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Tall grass in focus with blurred modern apartment buildings and trees in the background.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A brown butterfly rests on a green leaf with a blurred, leafy background.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Vibrant magenta bougainvillea flowers surrounded by lush green leaves.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Green leaves in focus with a blurred multi-story building in the background.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A glowing garden lamp is surrounded by green leaves and plants at night.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A person in a red shirt riding a bicycle down a tree-lined path, followed by another cyclist.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Low-angle view of modern apartment buildings with balconies against a clear sky.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A no entry traffic sign is mounted on a pole near a modern building, lit by a round wall light.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A statue of a person in a wetsuit poses underwater near rocks, with fish swimming nearby.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A school of silver fish swims underwater, illuminated by yellow light in a dark aquarium.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Translucent jellyfish glowing with blue and pink light drift against a dark underwater background.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A yellow and black snake coiled among green leaves and purple flowers, partially in shadow.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A green frog sits on a mossy tree branch with leafy plants and a blurred brown background.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Three puffins stand on a snowy ledge, with two puffins touching beaks near a rocky wall.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A yellow and black poison dart frog sits on a rock surrounded by green leaves.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A green chameleon walks along a branch surrounded by blurred green leaves in a natural habitat.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A duck stands on a log in front of a waterfall, surrounded by lush green rocks.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Large silvery fish with yellow eyes swimming underwater, photographed close-up from the side.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A toucan with a large yellow-orange beak perched on a branch near green ferns and rocks.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A small turtle with a red stripe swims in clear water above a large fish.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Three scuba divers in an aquarium tank surrounded by fish, with bubbles rising to the water’s surface.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
White marble columns with gold and floral designs at a grand mosque with arches and intricate ceiling patterns.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Modern architectural structure with tall angled beams, potted plants, and landscaped greenery in black and white.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
People walk outside the white domes and arches of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque on a sunny day.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
White marble mosque with domes and arches, reflected in a blue-tiled pool under a clear sky.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A sunken, moss-covered airplane with fish swimming around it underwater.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
A gold Whats On Award Series Winner plaque is mounted on a wooden post inside a modern building.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Outdoor restaurant patio at night, illuminated by warm lights and street lamps, with plants lining the walkway.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Green plant with veined leaves in focus, surrounded by blurred green foliage and a dark background.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
White marble mosque courtyard with floral designs, domes, and ornate golden columns under a clear blue sky.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II
Silhouetted people watch seals swimming in a large, blue-lit aquarium tank decorated with rocks and logs.
Image taken on the Nikon Z5 II

A Poignant Review For Me

A few weeks before I received the Nikon Z5 II for review, a close photography acquaintance of mine, Radhakrishnan Chakyat, sent me a message with a link to his YouTube review of the Nikon Z5 II. His summary of his experience with this camera was the same as mine—it might be classified as one, but it’s anything but a beginner-level camera in terms of the output it can deliver. Less than a handful of days later, Radha Ji as we all fondly knew him, breathed his last. I struggled to comprehend this loss for many weeks. It was hardly a few months ago that we had spoken to each other on the phone. He was someone I looked up to as a photographer and human being, for he had the rare quality of making everyone around him feel welcome. He wasn’t just a fantastic photographer with decades of experience behind him; he was also a master educator, with his channel becoming one of India’s fastest-growing YouTube channels soon after its launch. Radha Ji knew how to cut to the chase when reviewing any product, without missing out on key points, but also knew how to elaborate vividly on non-technical matters of photography when needed. While reviewing the Z5 II, I often remembered him and the conversations we had, as I’m sure I will in the years to come.

Declaration of Journalistic Intent

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  • At the time of publishing this review, Nikon isn’t running direct-sold advertising with the Phoblographer. This doesn’t affect our reviews anyway and it never has in our 15 years of publishing our articles. This article is in no way sponsored.
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More can be found on our Disclaimers page.

A Nikon Z series camera with a lens attached, placed on a magazine, lens cap nearby.
Nikon Z5 II Review: Anything But Entry Level
I spent quite some time with the Nikon Z5 II around the UAE. Whether I was indoors or outdoors, I found this camera punched above its weight category. This didn't feel, perform, or deliver in an entry-level way. The Z5 II might be priced for beginners, but it shoots like a camera that wandered off from a slightly higher tier. Nikon's full-frame mirrorless line is starting to feel like a family of overachievers—no bad apples, just slightly different flavors of excellent. This model is quietly the most disruptive member yet. And when you remember that with the major firmware upgrades on the Z9 and Z8, Nikon gave its owners features that would normally come only with newer models, you start to realise that the company has more than caught up in the mirrorless race it once seriously lagged behind in. The Nikon Z5 II is probably their best all-rounder camera, considering that it's cheaper than the Z6 III launched last year. I had the Middle East's first unit of the Nikon Z5 some years ago when I tested it out, and can confidently say the Nikon Z5 II is a whole different beast.
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