You Probably Won’t Notice What’s Missing from the Affordable Full-Frame Z5 IIC

Nikon has finally unveiled the Z5 II, a long-awaited update to its full-frame Z5 camera, but today’s announcement introduces a new variant aimed at budget-conscious beginner photographers. The Nikon Z5 IIC, priced at $1,399.95, is $450 less than the Z5 II, which starts at $1,849.95, and it retains many of the original’s standout features while sporting a refreshed design.

The Z5 IIC boasts the same 24.5-megapixel backside illuminated full-frame sensor and utilizes the EXPEED 7 image processing engine found in Nikon’s more advanced models, complete with in-body image stabilization. It can shoot JPEGs at an impressive 30 fps using its electronic shutter, and it even allows for capturing images up to a second before the shutter button is pressed. Additionally, it features a mechanical shutter capable of 15 fps in JPEG mode, a capability not available on the pricier Canon EOS R8 Mark II.

To achieve its lower price point, the Z5 IIC omits the electronic viewfinder found in the Z5 II, and its 3.2-inch articulated touchscreen has seen a significant drop in resolution from 2.1 million to 1.04 million dots. The camera is equipped with a single UHS-II SD card slot, meaning there’s no backup for your photos and videos, and it lacks a joystick, requiring users to adjust autofocus points and navigate menus using a multi-directional controller instead.