Nikon Z5II: grip of the full -format housing at a really affordable price

While the price of boxes and optics continues to tu stars, ads of democratic products have something to put balm in the heart of photographers. Today is the announcement of Nikon's Z5II. Four and a half years after the launch of the first Z5 (July 2020), the Z5II takes up the formula of a full -format box accessible.

So yes, the first Z5 had been launched at € 1,599 and the € 1,899 that Nikon asks seem to mark a price increase. An increase in trompe-l'oeil. According to the two inflation simulators that we used, the € 1,599 of 2020 become around € 1,870 if cumulative inflation of around 17 % is taken into account over this period.

The first Z5 was conceived as the entry -level of 24×36 boxes, which was above all “Dedicated to photographers because his video partition was limited. The Z5 II benefits from many video improvements allowing it to send a much wider audience“, welcomes Hicham Bou -Oulaoun, product manager at Nikon France. A jump forward which is mainly due to the arrival of the Expeed 7 processor.

A base of Nikon ZF; But in modern version

No need to go find the technical base very far. In terms of electronics, Nikon has recycled his Nikon ZF. Same 24 Mpx sensor, same Expeed 7 processor, same mechanical stabilization of the sensor. But for much cheaper, since the ZF, with its retro look and its analog wheel, is displayed at € 2,500 in official prices.

The Z5II is therefore an entry -level case, but which has the essentials of a high -end case. Its AF is X3 faster than that of the Z5, its Rafale RAW Turbine at 14 i/s – with 3D follow -up please!) And it incorporates the configurable pre -adulel from 0.3 to 1 second.

If we talk about more modernity than ZF, we are not only talking about its appearance. Unlike the retro housing from which it comes, it manages two SD cards (the ZF manages an SD and a micro SD). And has locations placed on the side and not under the device next to the device. But also a more practical than class grip (read further: “convincing handling”).

In terms of stabilization, watch out for comparison with the ZF. Qualified last year for 8 speeds, the ZF would now display only 7.5 speeds since the CIPA test protocol has evolved. The Z5 II is therefore as efficient as the ZF with its 7.5 speeds in the center and 6 speeds on the outskirts.

Good 4K video score

The battlefield of modern “photo” boxes is no longer that of the production of fixed images. It is now the video that draws the market, whether in volume or in value. If you want to convince yourself, look at the recent announcements!

Without being a war machine – no 6k, not 8K – the Z5ii offers a much sexier video technical sheet than poor Z5. A case which, as a reminder, recorded the 4K30P video by imposing an villain of X1.7. Enough to sabotage all the high-angle plans (a 24 mm becomes a 41 mm)!

The Z5ii is much more on the page, with a 4K30P mode without reframing, internal N-Raw recording, the management of the HLG and the N-LOG (rendered flat For colors calibration in post-production), a Full HD 120p mode and the real-time application of Lut Red-the buyout by Nikon is good!

We add to this electronic stabilization in addition to that of the sensor (and potentially optics), a high definition zoom mode in Full HD (to zoom in with fixed focal lengths) or even a “product presentation” mode to seduce influencers, and we obtain a rather complete technical sheet. Some details are missing, such as an overchanted capture, a full sensor mode (open-gate in the jargon) or even 4K60P without cropping (we then go to DX mode with X1.5 ratio). But given the price positioning and these damn upmarket effects, the Z5 II is competent for its range.

This is all the more so since it takes advantage of the microphone intake, a helmet socket. And the power of seduction of its very large 24×36 mm sensor, ideal for producing backgrounds at the cinema rendering at a lower cost.

Convincing

Nikon invited us to take charge of the case during a press under embargo. And we can share with you not only the images from the case, but also our first impressions before a more in -depth test.
And at first glance, the first perceptible change compared to Z5 is clearly handling. The handle of the Z5II is more dug and, in fact, is more “pro” than the first Z5 of the name. While the ZF needs an accessory grip to offer a handling suitable for zooms, the Z5 II supports the Nikkor Z 24-70 mm f/2.8 S very well.

A remark far from trivial and that we will approach more in detail further – basically, this Z5II can really serve as a pro case and that changes a lot for a certain population of reporters. Who will appreciate that Nikon has not botched the finishes: its viewfinder is super comfortable (3.68 Mpx at 3000 cd/m² against only 1000 cd/m² for the Z5) and its resistance is equivalent to Z6iii (Magnesium alloy shell in front, behind and above).

A specific AF and beautiful images by default

We could not put the Nikon Z5 II to the test of a Ligue 1 match and could only evolve in a closed enclosure – very precisely, the Glass Sabbath workshop of the artist Souffleur de glass Thomas Segaud.

It is therefore impossible to make a fine discrimination of any performance differences between the Z9/Z8/Z6II/ZF which share the same processor as our Z5II. But in a cozy atmosphere, oscillating between dark corners and burning glass ovens at more than 1200 ° C, the case has not failed.