The Nikon Z5II|Affordable EXCELLENCE|

Thanks to Nikon Singapore, I had the opportunity to give the new Z5II a quick test run prior to it's official launch.

Intro to the Z5II

The overview of the differences between the Z5II vs. the Z5 showed that the new camera was a complete overhaul over the original. Here's a summary of the specifications & features that caught my interest the most:

• EXPEED7 processor

• NEW 24.5MP BSI Full Frame sensor

• Low light focusing capability down to -10EV

• Native ISO range from 100 to 64,000

• Improved 5 axis in-body VR | up to 7.5 stops at the center | up to 6 stops at the periphery with Focus point VR

• 3D AF tracking capability

• Subject Detection capability of 9 subjects including Bird detection

• Mechanical shutter capable of 14FPS

• Pre-release Capture at HSFC (High-Speed Frame Capture) rates of C15FPS & C30FPS

• Improved high luminance EVF (Very bright 3000cd/m2)

• Fully articulated monitor

In fact when I went through the menus, the Z5II's functions & features were very close to that of the mighty Z8's with the exception of these few features:

• No Auto Capture

• No Recall Shooting Function(Hold) custom control

• Lacks the higher-spec'd Video features

• Lack of a fully spec'd Electronic Shutter like the Z6III/Z8/Z9

• Max. shutter speed of 1/8000s

• EVF not Black-out free

In summary, the Z5II was just brimming with very useful & practical features (that did not exist in the Z5). The Z5II now also has flagship like capabilities making it without a doubt the BEST value Full Frame Hybrid solution in the Z-system line up.

Real world PREVIEW

So how did the Z5II perform in the real world during my 2 hours (7pm to 9pm) using it at this quaint restaurant called The Coastal Settlement ?

As this camera was still a Pre-production unit, I could not & did not have the time to fully test & analyse the capabilities of this new camera, instead I used this preview session to experience the Auto Focus (AF) tracking performance & gather my first impressions on Image Quality (IQ)

My Camera / shoot SETUP

I paired the Z5II Pre-Production unit with my Z28-400mm f/4.0-8.0 lens, a medium to slow ultra-zoom lens which I use regularly for general & travel photography.

By using this combo indoors & in very low light conditions, my aim was to "stress" this new camera to its limits in the shortest possible time.

No additional flash , light sources or strobes were used

All images captured Hand-Held

AUTO-FOCUS capability/tracking

Check out this short clip showing the Z5II's Wide C1 AF area with People detection in action

• Detected the subject's eye quickly (small white box appearing without half-pressing the shutter button)

• AF tracking was fast (small white box turning green as I half-pressed)

• AF tracking works accurately even while zooming to 320mm focal length

• Subject detection works brilliantly, still tracks the eye even when it moves out of the Wide Area AF box or when there were obstructions that appeared momentarily

• Worked superbly in the very low light environment

• EXIF data: ISO20,000 to 25,600 , f/7.1 to f/8.0, 1/30s to 1/50s shutter speed , this settings indicated how low light the environment was.

Interpreting the colors of the secondary subject detection AF box:

Secondary box color - | white | Z5II detecting subject’s eye WITHOUT half-pressing the shutter button|

Secondary box color - | yellow | Z5II about to lock-on as I half-pressed |

Secondary box color - | green | Z5II focus stable & locked-on while continuouly half=pressing |

What about a vehicle moving towards me & passing me , check this clip out ?

This time I was using the Auto Area AF with Vehicle detection of the Z5II

• tracking & detection was excellent & it tracked consistently even while I was zooming from tele to wide & vice versa while panning along with the car as it moved past me.

The Z5II also has my FAV AF tracking mode which is 3D with subject detection OFF

In this clip , I switched from Wide C1 AF to 3D tracking which is like a souped up Single point AF where I had to first place the 3D AF box first on the subject , then once it locked on , 3D tracking will "stick" to that point even if the subject moved or when the photographer recomposed..

In summary, the Z5II thoroughly OUTCLASSED the Z5 in AF tracking !!

The Z5II was much faster, smarter. more consistent & more accurate even in very low light conditions.

IMAGE QUALITY preview

Click on image to enlarge

ISO20,000 |f/8.0 | 1/30s |@260mm |

JPEG Fine* | Captured Hand-Held | AWB |

In-camera Noise reduction set to Normal

Std Picture Control tweaked to reduce default sharpness, clarity & contrast

VR set to Normal |image NOT Post-Edited |

As this was still a pre-production unit, I could not open the RAW file & did not want to convert to DNG.

Check out this original JPEG Fine* image

At ISO20,000 , this JPEG image with in-camera NR applied just looked very good.

• Noise was minimal & well controlled with consistent grain distribution producing a pleasing smooth look , no nasty multi-colored spots.

• No severe smearing or blotchiness at this ISO which was really respectable especially with a camera at this price point

• Colors rendered were natural with no noticeable color shifts, another excellent result especially with the extra high ISO used.

An amazing first impression performance indeed , especially for a camera that is positioned below the Nikon Zf.

Do note also that the Zf is positioned below the Z6III , Z8 & Z9

Nikon as always did not skimp on the Z5II's JPEG engine, images that I captured with the Z 28-400mm f/4.0-8.0:

• had excellent Dynamic Range for a JPEG

• wonderful high ISO performance with very good details retention

• excellent first impressions with the new BSI sensor

Check out this gallery, all images captured from my brief time at The Coastal Settlement.

Images in gallery had minimal post editing.

Click to enlarge

Potential users of the Z5II ?

Even with my brief experience, the Z5II is easy to recommend.

It is:

• a MUST upgrade for Z5 owners

• PERFECT alternative or upgrade for current Nikon DSLR owners (& other brand users still unsure about adding a Nikon) or for those who are still not convinced of the advantages of using a mirrorless camera.

• PERFECT for current Z owners or DSLR owners of DX(APS-C) models wanting to explore with greater depth & experience the benefits of Full Frame photography

• GREAT option for those wanting to add a lighter, smaller yet capable full-frame camera as backup to their arsenal.

• Of course the Z5II with lens kit combo will also be an excellent alternative for those high-end smartphone camera users who want to upgrade to a much more serious photography tool.

  
  

FINAL Thoughts

I wish I could have performed more extensive testing however this preview was sufficient in providing me with a good feel of what the Z5II could do.

The Z5II:

• outclassed the Z5 in almost all areas especially AF tracking & overall shooting speed & response.

• IS definitely NOT a camera with entry level capabilities or specifications even at it’s intended price point. The Z5II is value packed & is much more capable than the Z5.

• In the right hands, the Z5II can take on tough photography challenges of most genres that used to need the capabilities of the more advanced & faster Z cameras.

In fact the Z5II felt so good & capable in my hands that I felt a little "disappointed" with Nikon for giving this camera that much features, capabilities & most likely the performance to go with it (of course further testing is needed)

If I compared my workhorses (Z8 / Z9) with my Z5II experience , they just don't feel that special any more, thankfully they still have a higher 45MP resolution, shoots faster & have a couple of higher spec'd features that help me improve my success rates !

Those starting out in photography or intending to migrate from DSLRs or DX (APS-C) cameras should be REJOICING that Nikon has delivered again by producing such a brilliant imaging tool that is overflowing with value at this price point & one that can go a long way in fulfilling a photographer's journey ...... kudos Nikon.

Till my next blog, stay safe & happy shooting

If you found the post helpful , here's a way to buy me coffee, thanks !

Cheers,

Andrew