Nikon Officially Announces the Z5II

[Canon Rumors]

Today, Nikon announced the new full-frame / FX format Z5II, an entirely new generation of intermediate-level camera that miraculously manages to fit the latest high-end features into a lightweight camera body that will help kickstart any creative spark.

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[m4ndr4ke]

CANON IS DOOMED

Edit: for real, this camera seems amazing for the price, it’s like a combination of R6 and A7 III (I will not mention the A7 IV due to its higher resolution sensor) for about the price of a R8.

This will shake up the market.

I’d say the only camera that won’t be threatened is the R6 Mark III, as long as it comes with a stacked sensor.

 

[Canon Rumors]

CANON IS DOOMED

Edit: for real, this camera seems amazing for the price, it’s like a combination of R6 and A7 III (I will not mention the A7 IV due to its higher resolution sensor) for about the price of a R8.

This will shake up the market.

I’d say the only camera that won’t be threatened is the R6 Mark III, as long as it comes with a stacked sensor.

It does look really nice, I really have no knocks against any current Nikon camera. I think they're doing really well.

 

[m4ndr4ke]

It does look really nice, I really have no knocks against any current Nikon camera. I think they're doing really well.

And they have some really, really good glass.

They're taking their time, but I think they're building a great system.

 

[Sporgon]

I’m a 5DS user, but enjoy using (good) vintage glass, and was very tempted by the Z5. I had had a RP, but although it was a very comfortable camera to hold, some of the parred back features caused me issues, mainly lack of image stabilisation (I’ve always been a shaky old git even when I was young - too much coffee and fast women), and also the inability to custom a convenient button for magnification. Ultimately I decided I
couldn’t face different menus and batteries and picked up a nice R6, where you can program the M-fn button (among others) to magnify which is really quick for accurate manual focus.
The Z5ii makes the R8 pretty plain, but it’s more expensive, and cheaper always seems to win in the real world.

 

[neuroanatomist]

This will shake up the market.

I’d say the only camera that won’t be threatened is the R6 Mark III, as long as it comes with a stacked sensor.

I doubt it will shake much up. Maybe they’ll take some market share back from Sony, maybe not.

Keep in mind that about 75% of the market is APS-C, so a new FF camera is not going to shake much. Also, a high proportion of people in this forum know what a stacked sensor is, but I suspect most actual buyers do not know (or care).

As @Sporgon points out, the Z52 is on the low end of full frame camera costs, but is still more expensive than the R8…and much more expensive than the RP (which remains ‘current’ in Canon’s lineup).

And they have some really, really good glass.

Yes, they do. But what do they have in the way of really, really decent glass? You touted the (relatively) low price of the Z5II, what is Nikon’s selection of (relatively) affordable FF lenses?

Canon has made a concerted effort in that space with lenses like the RF 15-30, RF 100-400, 16/2.8 and the 600/800 f/11 primes, for example.

 

[AlanF]

Keep in mind that about 75% of the market is APS-C, so a new FF camera is not going to shake much. Also, a high proportion of people in this forum know what a stacked sensor is, but I suspect most actual buyers do not know (or care).

If they put a 24 Mpx APS-C sensor into that body they could bring out a very competitive APS-C like they did with the D500. It would certainly rival an upgraded 7Rii that we want, but whether it would capture much market share is another matter.

 

[DhlcadR6]

Yes, they do. But what do they have in the way of really, really decent glass? You touted the (relatively) low price of the Z5II, what is Nikon’s selection of (relatively) affordable FF lenses?

Tamron zooms and the recent Chinese primes are perfect with Z5ii. However, it begs the question, low budget shooters shouldn't nor can afford to buy many lenses. It makes no sense for enthusiasts to invest in lots of cheap primes despite the lenses themselves being ok.



IMHO it's a solid camera, just 2 years late. From the early YouTube reviews it's not better than R6ii/R8. Everyone keeps saying Z5ii beats R8...but I don't see this as a problem. It's more concerning if Z5ii unable to be better than R8.

Z5ii true competitor is S5ii and the Nikon shooters jumped ship to Sony few years ago. Z5ii is the Super D780 that Nikkon loyalists needs.

 

[f2_productions]

I like that they went and extended the maximum exposure time, because why not? Astrophotographers will love this camera not only for this feature, but also for a display mode that does not burn in your eyes when you look at it during night time.

 

[bf]

To me this release raises a few questions:
Does Nikon need this many 24 mp FF cameras? They have z6iii, zf, and now z5ii within a $600 difference. They also have older versions of these series and price differences has been further shrinking when rebates are offered. On the positive side, the differentiators are clear and they have been offering more value.

The 2nd one: Again a rotating screen? I wish they had a tilting one on the ZF that seems more photography focused. If Nikon is listening: Now that you are so comfortable with carrying so many SKUs, please offer a face-lifted/special release zf with a lighter metal (gray or silver) with tilting screen!

 

[definedphotography]

Does Nikon need this many 24 mp FF cameras?

You could ask the same question of Canon Its obviously a sweet spot for sensor speed, noise levels and 4k video

 

[MikeGalos]

(I’ve always been a shaky old git even when I was young - too much coffee and fast women)

Same with me but I never realized what caused it. Thinking back, seems like a fair trade-off.

 

[blackcoffee17]

You could ask the same question of Canon Its obviously a sweet spot for sensor speed, noise levels and 4k video

Seems more like an arbitrary spot everyone got stuck at.

 

[Uneternal]

CANON IS DOOMED

This is some aggressive pricing and will definitely eat into EOS R8 sales, and maybe even a chunk of EOS R6II sales.
It offers a lot that R6II does, but for ~$500 less. With Sony's release of the A7V approaching, which is probably gonna be a 40MP camera, Canon may not be doomed, but they're gonna be under quite some strategic pressure at Christmas.
Also, with their self-created problem that people are getting fed up about no third-party lens alternatives (for full frame).
They've been sleeping for years in the mirrorless market. Then they woke up and managed to surpass Sony. Just to knock themselves in the foot with limiting their lens selection.

 

[neuroanatomist]

They've been sleeping for years in the mirrorless market. Then they woke up and managed to surpass Sony. Just to knock themselves in the foot with limiting their lens selection.

Mirrorless didn't surpass DSLR market share until Canon fully committed to MILCs. Canon steadily gained on then surpassed Sony even with their 'limited' RF lens selection. In part, that's because with a simple adapter their lens selection is not limited at all. Now, Canon's lens selection continues to increase and they've started allowing Sigma lenses for APS-C (which still represents ~75% of the mirrorless market).

I get that you're addicted to the Sony KoolAid, but try to come up for a breath of reality once in a while.

 

[Del Paso]

This is some aggressive pricing and will definitely eat into EOS R8 sales, and maybe even a chunk of EOS R6II sales.
It offers a lot that R6II does, but for ~$500 less. With Sony's release of the A7V approaching, which is probably gonna be a 40MP camera, Canon may not be doomed, but they're gonna be under quite some strategic pressure at Christmas.
Also, with their self-created problem that people are getting fed up about no third-party lens alternatives (for full frame).
They've been sleeping for years in the mirrorless market. Then they woke up and managed to surpass Sony. Just to knock themselves in the foot with limiting their lens selection.

You're right!
Canon seem sooo desperate right now, they are struggling to survive. The R8 doesn't stand a chance against the Z5.
Sad, sooo sad...
PS: Keep on dreaming.

 

[Uneternal]

You're right!
Canon seem sooo desperate right now, they are struggling to survive. The R8 doesn't stand a chance against the Z5.
Sad, sooo sad...
PS: Keep on dreaming.

No need to be ironic. We all know if Canon didn't have the name Canon, they'd be nowhere as popular. Imagine if Fujifilm made the choice to close their mount, they might as well close their business.
This Z5II is even an option for wedding photographers, whereas the R8 isn't because of Canon's cripple hammer - one card slot and limited to 1/4000 shutter. Sorry but hard facts. This camera will sell well. And new customers will listen to the influencers telling them that Canon has fewer lens options.

Mirrorless didn't surpass DSLR market share until Canon fully committed to MILCs. Canon steadily gained on then surpassed Sony even with their 'limited' RF lens selection. In part, that's because with a simple adapter their lens selection is not limited at all. Now, Canon's lens selection continues to increase and they've started allowing Sigma lenses for APS-C (which still represents ~75% of the mirrorless market).

I get that you're addicted to the Sony KoolAid, but try to come up for a breath of reality once in a while.

Sorry for bursting your bubble, but I own 3 Canon cameras so probably pretty far from being addicted to any Sony KoolAid. And I much rather would buy a Nikon before I buy a Sony. I feel a lot of projection from somebody who's so addicted to the Canon KoolAid that he's unable to read and reflect on any justified criticism.
While it's true, Canon made most of their sales with cheapo DSLRs like the Rebel T7 or Rebel SL3, Sony held No1 in Mirrorless cameras for a long time (still does in Japan AFAIK). And it was almost too late for Canon to catch up, so they basically had to repurpose the 5DIV as a mirrorless. If they didn't have their name to rely on, that story could've ended very differently.

 

[neuroanatomist]

And it was almost too late for Canon to catch up, so they basically had to repurpose the 5DIV as a mirrorless. If they didn't have their name to rely on, that story could've ended very differently.

Yes, just like Canon was late with the EOS M. Then that line became the global best-selling MILC line, at one point 17% of all cameras sold were EOS M. Then they were late to FF MILC, and now they lead that as well. Justified criticism is fine. Rewriting history, not so much.

 

[David - Sydney]

I like that they went and extended the maximum exposure time, because why not? Astrophotographers will love this camera not only for this feature, but also for a display mode that does not burn in your eyes when you look at it during night time.

It is easy on my R5 to use the internal intervalometer for any exposures past 30s or just count in my head with a manual release.
I was shooting the milky way last night but didn't have any issues with burning my eyes. I normally use the rear screen but it was pretty dark and used the viewfinder to accurately align a bridge before hitting the shutter.

I believe that Sony have their "bright monitoring" feature for nightscapes but I don't really miss it on my R5. Easy to check manual focus using the x15 zoom on the rear screen on a star for instance (or in playback for any wind/camera shake etc).