Page 62 - Australian Photography Dec 2020

TESTED: NIKON Z 5
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NIKON Z 5
The full-frame mirrorless market is getting congested, but does Nikon’s newest model have what it takes to stand out? Matty Graham puts this value-for-money camera through its paces.
ABOVE: The 24-megapixel count may seem on the low side for a full-frame mirrorless
in 2020, but image quality is first-class
and enables photographers to make prints easily up to A3. What’s more, that perfect Nikon colour science delivers rich tones and saturated hues. Nikon Z 5, 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens @ 50mm. 1/250s @ f6.3, ISO 100.
OPPOSITE TOP: While no speed king, the Z 5 can cope with everyday wildlife photography, firing off 4.5 frames per second. And, when paired with the 70-200mm f/2.8 S lens, the combo served up some impressive bokeh. Nikon Z 5, 70-200mm f/2.8 lens @ 200mm. 1/250s @ f2.8, ISO 400.
If ever there was a camera with an identity crisis, it’s the Z 5. Nikon’s newest full-frame mirrorless camera. Nikon calls it an entry level full- frame, but actually the truth is a whole lot more interesting and, depending on your needs as a photographer, the Z 5 could be the best buy from Nikon’s current mirrorless line up.
So, let’s rewind a little; Nikon were a little late to the mirrorless party but struck back with the launch of not one, but two models in 2018 – the Z 6 and the flagship 45-megapixel mode, which shared the same pixel count as Nikon’s acclaimed
D850 DSLR. Fast-forward two years and Nikon has released its third full-frame mirrorless and the Z 5 is both similar and different to its two stablemates, giving potential buyers a real dilemma over which model to spend their dollars on.
SAME, BUT DIFFERENT
The Z 5 is built around a 24.3-mega- pixel full-frame CMOS sensor, which is actually achingly close to the Z 6’s pixel count (24.5-megapixels) and this blurring of the lines between these two cameras is a theme that will run through this review. Of course, when it comes to pixel clout, there’s far more clear water between the Z 5 and Nikon’s flagship Z 7, which of course stretches well ahead with 45-megapixels on offer. Some photographers may believe that 24-megapixels is on the low side for a full-frame camera, but unless you’re looking to print for billboards or excessively crop into your frames, the maximum file size of 6016 x 4016 pixels should be enough for both enthusiasts and professionals alike. The physical di- mensions of the Z 5 are virtually identi- cal (OK, the Z 6 is 5g heavier at 590g) to those of the Z 6/Z 7 – though like the Z 6, the Z 5 doesn’t have the LCD dis- play on the camera’s top plate like the Z 7. Those looking to add a second body to their kit bags won’t find any difference in the feel and handling of the Z 5 over the Z 6 – for example, the Z 5 has the same size 3.2-inch LCD found on the Z 6/ Z 7, albeit with a smaller resolution on the screen. However, there’s zero
| 62 | DECEMBER 2020 | AUSTRALIANPHOTOGRAPHY.COM