Nikon Canada has introduced the Z 5, which it deems the new full-frame FX-format_ entry point into its Z Series mirrorless camera line-up.
The company camera includes features like in-camera vibration reduction (VR), image stabilization (IBIS), and both automation and full manual control. It comes equipped with a 24.3MP CMOS sensor and is engineered with the EXPEED 6, Nikon’s fastest image processor to date. With an ISO range up to 51,200 (expandable to 102,400), the camera effectively reduces noise, maintaining both high sensitivity and resolution to excel in low-light situations.
With shutter speeds up to 1/8000, the Z 5 can capture fast-moving subjects with clarity including fast-action sports and wildlife. The camera can capture full resolution bursts at 4.5 fps with full AF/AE. This is added by the combination of the camera’s silent photography mode and In-Body 5-Axis VR stabilization that provides quiet, stable shooting to document sensitive moments without distractions.
Equipped with two UHS-II card slots for overflow, backup, or separating RAW and JPEG photos, the Z 5 enables photographers to shoot with using widely available consumer SD cards.
Additional features include 2731 on-sensor AF points to quickly and accurately track subjects throughout the frame; Eye-Detection AF capabilities to precisely capture the eyes of humans and animals; easy switching between manual mode and a variety of automatic creative modes;
20 Creative Picture Controls, including advanced features like Focus Shift Shooting and multiple exposure mode; video recording in 4K UHD/30p2 or in 1080/60p (full-frame) as well as interval timer, in-camera time-lapse modes; a hot shoe that is fully compatible with the Nikon Speedlight wireless lighting system; and the Nikon SnapBridge app for remote control; and seamlessly transferring and sharing content to a smartphone, tablet, Mac, or PC thanks to built-in Wi-Fi 4 and Bluetooth 5 connectivity.
Compact and rugged, the camera is built with a durable weather-sealed exterior – it employs the same magnesium alloy shell as the Z 6 and Z 7. It’s dust and drip resistance and comes with a 3.2″ touch-enabled LCD that you can touch, tap, swipe, and pinch on the screen to adjust, as well as tilt to get the best shot. The 3.6M-dot Quad-VGA EVF provides detail on exposure, ISO, white balance, and creative picture controls in real time.
Powered by the new EN-EL15c battery, the Z 5 offers significant advancements in the number of shots per charge and is the first Nikon camera to enable constant power through the USB port, even with select portable USB power banks. For added power and grip, the camera is also compatible with the MB-N10 hot-swappable battery pack.
When connected via the USB-C cord, the Z 5 can be used as a webcam, making the camera a great option for modern vloggers, influencers, and gamers looking to improve their livestreaming capabilities.
Nikon also unveiled the NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3, the shortest, lightest, and most affordable full-frame zoom lens in the NIKKOR Z lineup. Designed for on-the-go creators, the 24-50mm lens is the ideal companion to the Z series for capturing everything from vast landscapes and cityscapes to street photography and portraits.
The new Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4X and TELECONVERTER TC-2X bring added versatility with 1.4x and 2x magnification to select NIKKOR Z lenses. These lightweight teleconverters are great tools for those photographing sports, wildlife, and aviation, says Nikon, reducing the need to crop images and allowing for tighter compositions with maximum resolution.
The new TC-1.4X and TC-2X teleconverters minimize various lens aberrations while retaining focusing speed, VR functionality, and minimum focusing distance. They allow Nikon Z series cameras to retain functionality on all focus points up to f/11, making it easy to focus on and track subjects throughout the entire frame. Featuring the same robust construction as NIKKOR Z lenses, the teleconverters are designed with a fluorine coating on the front and rear elements to resist dirt and smudges, and offer a durable, weather-sealed body to protect against the elements.
When the teleconverters are used with the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S (availability scheduled for late August), the focal length on the telephoto end is extended to 280mm (1.4x) or 400mm (2x) producing a significant expansion of this telephoto lens’s shooting range. These new teleconverters will also be compatible with applicable interchangeable lenses for Nikon Z mount mirrorless cameras that Nikon will release in the future.
In August, Nikon will release a beta version of the Webcam Utility software for many Nikon DSLR and Z series mirrorless cameras, including the new Z 5. Initially available for Windows 10, the free software will allow compatible Nikon cameras to be used as webcams. When connected via USB, this free software will provide users with “incredible sharpness, clarity and flattering depth of field for all of their livestreaming needs including teleconferencing and gaming.”
The Nikon Z 5 will be available in late August for an MSRP of $2,049.95 for body only and $2,449.95 for the NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 kit. Also available in August, the NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens can be purchased separately for an MSRP of $569.95. The new Z Teleconverters TC-1.4X and TC-2X will be available this fall at MSRPs of $729.95 and $799.95, respectively.