It's easy to get carried away with the excitement of a new flagship camera and be surprised by specs like ultra-high-resolution sensors, 8K video recording, ridiculously smart autofocus, and more. . For the average consumer, however, these features don't mean much when you don't have the budget to pay for a professional-grade camera, nor the desire to use such specs for everyday shooting. Most consumers want a camera that captures good quality images, offers a wide range of features, and is capable of handling a few different subjects, all without being too heavy to wear. I think the Nikon Z5 offers all of the above, making it the perfect camera for anyone looking for their first full-frame camera.
Baby I shrunk the camera
These days, while most of us want the best image quality possible, we're no longer willing to lug around a massive camera to get it; in fact, for many of us, the quality provided by our smartphones is more than enough for day to day. hits. But for those who can tolerate a bit more weight, mirrorless cameras bring the high quality of full-frame shooting to the general public. Nikon's Z series, in particular, shows that it is possible to reduce the size of a camera without compromising its ergonomic quality. The Z5's body design and layout is similar to the Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z7 models, but it comes with a small 24-50mm lens that can be retracted when not in use, and this combination actually makes for the perfect camera. to walk or travel. Its small form does not mean a lack of control either: the Z5 comes with plenty of knobs and dials to let you change settings when you need to, including a handy quick menu. Compare that to the convoluted menu systems and tiny buttons of Sony's full-frame offerings, or the slightly clumsy handling of Canon's entry-level offering, the Canon EOS RP, and on the Z5 it's got the perfect blend of size and feel. In fact, even those who have previously only used their smartphone's camera to take photos should be quite happy with the Nikon Z5.
Target range
One of the main criticisms of newer mirrorless systems like the Nikon Z and Canon EOS R is that they don't offer the lens reach and depth seen on cameras from Sony, Panasonic, Olympus and Fujifilm. , who make mirrorless models. for a long time. While this is a good point, the average beginner is unlikely to need a bag full of goals, let alone anything specialized, right off the bat. The proprietary lenses already available for the Nikon Z cover some good ground, with 14mm being the widest focal length available and 200mm being the longest. If you need macro, fisheye, tilt shift, etc., you can always fall back on a lens from Nikon's F-mount range via an adapter. Also, Nikon has clearly thought of the entry level user by introducing the very small 24-50mm kit lens. There's also the new 24-200mm lens, which would be perfect for your next vacation. They may not be the most optically sharp lenses, but they certainly make the leap from smartphone to your first camera a lot less intimidating.
Kindness at all levels
Chances are, if you're looking for your first proper camera, you're probably using it to capture a variety of subjects and settings, rather than specializing in yourself, and the Z5 does well in this regard. Features like Eye AF work well for portraits; the 24-megapixel sensor produces enough detail for landscape and macro shots, and AF tracking follows moving subjects in the frame quite well. The Z5 isn't the perfect camera for any individual subject, but it does a good enough job on each of them that it's well-suited to switching between them depending on your mood. Plus, the Z5 is small and light enough not to get in the way when you want to pack it in a bag for trips, vacations, and outings, and it'll certainly take your everyday shots to a higher level than your phone can. manifestation. Nikon has also added "luxury" features, imported directly from the company's top-of-the-line Z6 and Z7 models. These include a super-high-resolution electronic viewfinder, a high-performance AF system, and a rugged, waterproof body. Finding such a feature in an entry-level camera is a blessing, as it shows that Nikon expects you to grow and learn with this entry-level model, and not have to give it up. immediately after a short period of use.
But must there be drawbacks?
Okay, let's be honest: no camera is perfect, and the Z5 does suffer from a few drawbacks that you'll need to be aware of, largely depending on what you plan to shoot. One of the most important is video. The Z5 is capable of shooting in 4K, but it applies a rather heavy 1.7x crop to do this. There's also no hinged display, and vloggers are likely to be immediately put off by these two limitations. However, you can shoot without restrictions in Full HD; therefore, those who shoot an odd clip are unlikely to be affected by these flaws. Another problem is the frame rate. While the Z5 is capable of tracking moving subjects, it can only capture them at 4.5fps, making it a tough sell for those with a penchant for wildlife or sports photography, but it's still a sometimes, if not a priority, it is unlikely to be a decisive factor.
About this award...
Overall, then, the Z5 is an attractive piece of kit, but its price can prove to be a sticking point. The camera is not only more expensive than other entry-level full-frame models, such as the Canon EOS RP and Sony Alpha A7 II, but it's also slightly cheaper than the Nikon Z6. You could argue that if you're already spending a significant amount of money on a serious camera, it makes sense to shell out a little more for a slightly better camera that will last you longer. Currently, you can buy the Z5 with the 24-50mm kit lens for $1,699 / £1,719 / AU$3,099. Compare that to the Nikon Z6 and the 24-70mm f/4 kit lens, which is available for around £2,400 / £2,100 / AU$3,800, and the difference isn't that big, especially in the UK. . However, you have to remember that the Z5 is a completely new camera. Once it goes on sale and retailers start adjusting the price accordingly, the Z5 will make sense and probably be a good deal. Ultimately, the Z5 offers plenty of appeal to the average photographer who wants to upgrade their game to full-frame shooting, and most importantly, those buyers will be better served by the Z5 than its current generation of rivals. That's why we think the Nikon Z5 is the ultimate entry-level full-frame camera you can buy right now.