Nikon Z5 & 24-50mm Review by Ken Rockwell

I enjoy Z5 a lot with old ai/ais lenses. It does not read the aperture, but based on the light chooses perfect shutter speed. 
To use very small aperture, it takes time. Because you have to focus first and then close down the aperture. Till f/5.6 or even f/8 I find no issues whatsoever. I nail much better focus because of viewfinder magnification and image stabilisation.

I have been thinking of getting a Z5. Not any more..

Hi Ken, good to watch your review on z5 before i deciding to get one. Fyi, i just got my z50 in last month. If i were to get one fx body, what do you think of z5 as compared to my z50? It is just a small upgrade that not worth it and better to stick on z50? Pls advice thanks.

*just fyi the reason i picked z50 previously was because i have several dx f-mount lenses and use it with ftz. Now thinking to get an ff body.

Nikon Z5 been a favourite of mine since it first came out. It is simple, works, really a photographer's camera, with the photos it takes.

I see quite many times that you said the benefit of the built-in flash to the photo. The easiest way to compare if the flash wasn't fired is you SHOT the same pic flash off and show them besides. Easy!!!

Hi Ken, do you think it's worth spending the extra bucks on the Z5 to go up to full frame in comparison to the cheaper Z50?

Much more thorough in user-oriented terms than other reviews I've seen and read. The number of variables inherent in digital photography is overwhelming. Given that most "reviews" are crypto-sales pitches for this or that product, this is helpful to the struggling neophyte.

I'm not making this comment to offend anyone but I find it funny how Ken disses the Z5 yet people in the comments either want to get it or already have it and are happy with it(which is ok).
The thing that I see is just how much each and everyone of us is invested into a brand or ecosystem and we kind of blindly go over their shortcomings because we are financially invested in them(again it's normal:))
Personally if I had the money... yeah the R5 or R6 would be cool even though I'm that guy that wants cool gear but it wouldn't produce any money for me cuz I'm just a beginner, hobbyist, artist wanna-be :))
I've made a decision and I'm not super sure I'll stick to it or not but I want to use the little money I make or will make from my D5300 kit with the 30mm 1.8g and the 70-300 + kit lens to raise the money for my next camera. The Lord Jesus Christ might rapture me before that time comes though :)

I use the Z5 with (very) old Nikon (and Canon and Olympus OM and Zeiss ) so called vintage lenses using cheap contactless adapters for about 50 dollars and the camera works well with all those lenses (about 10).

Solid review as always!
Also read the review from your site.
Great stuff! 👍

I will keep my D800 for wedding photography because the Z lenses are way to expensive and my old superb AF-D lenses get no autofocus on that new mirrorless crap....

NIkon is a US company not a japanese company. They are designed in the US.

I don't know anything about cameras. I have a question Nikon Z5 Sigma 105mm f 1.4 Good quality pictures can be taken using lenses What?

Your telling me this is not Billy Crystal narrating this!!?

thanks for this video. very informative.

Good day, Ken...hope this finds you and yours doing well!

I recently traded in my D7500 plus two lenses (and a wee bit of cash) for a "used" (lol, <500 snaps) Z5 body and a 24-70 f/4 S lens. (Under comments in the Z50 review, you gave me some sage advice against the Z50 I was considering at that time. After actually going hands-on with the Z50 and finding that it got lost in my big mitts, plus you feeling this would be a step "down" from the D7500, I pulled the trade on the z5). So a "two-fer" for me...first mirrorless AND first foray into full frame.

Been playing around with it a bit and so far, so good. No real surprises or new technology that I haven't been able to work around and the controls are becoming more intuitive.

I DO have some questions about the Z5's focus shift capability. This sounds like another way of saying "focus stacking". I did do that manually with some landscape and macro shots on the D7500 with a fair degree of success, so I understand the concept and the mechanics of doing it manually. While there are some video tutorials out there on this subject, most left me feeling kind of..."meh". (As in, they left me wondering, "What would Master Ken have to say about this?") 🙂 I haven't played around with it enough yet to form an opinion of my own.

So, in your opinion and experience, is using focus shift shooting, via the camera itself from the menu (instead of manual stacking the images "by hand") merely a gimmick or is there a real world application? Comparatively, would a completed focus shift image look near as good as a "by hand" compilation? (Tried and true shooters will probably chime in and say that ANYTHING done by hand, where the shooter maintains overall control, is going to yield a better result than allowing the camera to make it own "decisions". While I won't argue against that, heck...thought I'd ask!)

Finally, I THOUGHT I read somewhere in researching the topic that after the camera takes a series of images, there's the capability to stitch them together into a complete photo, "in camera". Further research seems to indicate that those multiple focus shift photos STILL need to be taken to an OUTSIDE photo editor and put together. Advice?

Finally, maybe you can find the time and energy to do a Ken Rockwell-worthy video or document running through focus shift shooting along with suggestions for some of the various settings within that menu?

Cheers!

You need to switch on lowlight AF on the menu

can i use a sigma art 18-35mm lens on the Nikoz Z5 with the FTZ adapter?

Hi Ken, I’m just wondering which Canon camera you’d recommend for an entry-level mirrorless at a similar price point (<$1500).

I’ve had a lifelong passion for photography which I’m finally getting around to putting into practice.
In my research so far, two of Nikon’s “budget” offerings have caught my interest, but since you’re so critical of Nikon, I’m curious which of the Canon competitor models you’d suggest for someone like me, a beginner.
I’ll always be traveling with it (I’m an OTR truck driver) and want to shoot mainly landscapes, some wildlife, and rarely/occasionally some street stuff (structures, statues, people, etc).
I have no interest in sports photography so super high burst shot frame rates aren’t important to me, but in my research I’ve learned that rapid accurate AF acquisition and a moderate burst shot frame rate are a must for certain wildlife, birds in particular. 🤷🏻
Hope you can help, thanks in advance.

Oh no, you're saying that my old AI.S lenses won't work with the Z5? Damn! So those Fotasy dumb adapters don't work?

Very Knowledgeable, Thank You

Right now I have a Z50, it’s takes great pictures but just feels like toy, no IBIS, no need for video because I find it easier on my iPhone pro. I will miss the pop up flash but I’ve always wanted full frame so I can use lenses for what they are. I’m debating whether or not to move up to a Z5, thoughts?

Ken, you are the real deal. Thank you for this review.

Can you do a follow up? Maybe a year working with this camera review?

I bought this with 24-200 as body ended up only for around AU$250 from Amazon.

The Nikon Z5 is approximately 15g heavier than the Z6/Z7/Z6II/Z7II though.

Hi ken can you review the viltrox NFZ adapter its way cheap than FTZ adapter and also does YN lens works 🤣 because thats i have

thank you for great video. I am a mid range photographer, not an amateur and not a professional as well. You still recommend me z5 or z6 ıı? or you recommend me canon? I do look for something price performance, and very appreciated for your answer.

This vs z50??

Is't lie that optical VF is better than electronic in low light condition. Actually you see much better using evf in low light conditions. It's amplifies light and you see much brighter than in real world

I mean look at those images... What more do you need 😊
For stills of course.

why hasn't anyone mentioned the latency between taking a photo and displaying it on the screen, is there a way to fix this?

Thank you for your kind review, while I know the Nikon Z6 on 2nd hand market is now at the same price as Z5 in my area, I still may pick up Z5 just for the dual card slots and the mode dial user accessibility alone. If I missout the top LCD, I can just pick up my D750 again since I'm in no way selling that beast. I was about to pick up Canon RF's ecosystem but I just can't move on from SOOC images from Nikon, it's just something else for me, I'm just a hobbyist with modelling photography sidejobs and not in any way professional. In the end I have a D3300 if I want to have fun and not worry about weight, D750 and Z5 if someone decides to call my service. I still keep my F mount too, 105mm f1.4E optics is just out of this world. Once again, thank you Ken.

Jared Polin was right. This guy really is an idiot. Who the hell uses the built in flash?? We have these things called speedlights that are much more powerful and give you much more control over how your photo is lit,

Has anyone experienced eye misfocused issue using 85 1.8s lens?

Thanks. I know you keep mentioning to just go Canon in this video, and Im primarily a Canon shooter. Big problem is Canon offers nothing even close to this camera for $1k. Ive had the RP and it was good but this thing wipes the floor with it. A much better EVF, IBIS, an actual 1/8000s mechanical shutter, dual card slots, a larger battery and its weather sealed. Hell, even the more expensive R8 lacks all those features too. You need to move up to the overpriced $2,500 R6II to get these features you can get in the Z5 for $1k. All of Canon's entry level cameras are crippled. Canon needs to do better, a lot better.

Z5 is absolutely perfect for my portrait business, with Z primes. No need to spend more.

For photography Nikon is always best, nikon cameras are sturdy, durable, long lasting......if you want to make vedios u can try other brands

SEEING THIS REVIEWS OF MY BELOVED NIKONS im thinking wait one generation more for jump to Z system, or not. Autofocus its very important, i have hope in the nikon+red fusion in terms of sensors. Im wait for a Nikon with 16 stops of dinamic range and competent autofocus. The Z Mount its the best mount potentially or im in a error?.
Thanks.

Sorry for my bad english im fron Argentina.

You mention Canon quite a bit, but the Canon equivalent to this seems to be the R8, which has only one SD card slot and an electronic first curtain shutter. The Z5 has a mechanical shutter, electronic first curtain, and electronic shutter.

Well you are the professional with those pics. Us amateurs need more training. 😂

I have the Z50 and want a Nikon FF camera and which choice is the best? For not breaking the bank im thinking of the Z6 or Z5. Im used to Nikons DSLR and have alot of F lenses. Perhaps the Z5 is the better choice for me?

This is such a good review. You are hilarious. I have a Nikon D3100 and I've been using it for years. I want to upgrade but I have no clue what to upgrade to. This has really helped me narrow down my options.

Excellent video 😮!

Yes, canon is better.

Ken, I recently sold my D750 and D7500 with plans to purchase a Z6iii. After first reading your reviews of the Z5 and then watching this video I just purchased a use Z5 with 25 actuation for $875 out the door.

Ken's reviews are great because they also contain lots of tips for taking better photos.

I am really interested in the Z5. Quick question, though. I have sensitivity to the OLED flicker of the electronic viewfinder- it causes eye strain and headaches.
An alternative is to shoot with the rear LCD instead of the viewfinder. Do you see that type of shooting as a hindrance- enough of a problem that it might be better to go with a full frame DSLR instead to have the optical viewfinder?

I’ve played with one of these and it seems ok shooting that way- just not sure if it would really be a problem longer term in my weekly landscape shooting that I do.

It’s 3 years old. Why aren’t there new option? Even my old d80 had a flash