Best Affordable Nikon

Nikon's latest offering, the entry-level full-frame mirrorless Z5II, was released in India on April 23, 2025, close to five years after the release of the Z5.

- Rohinton Mehta

In the Box

✓ Camera body

✓ Lithium-Ion battery (EN-EL15c)

✓ USB cable (UC-E25)

✓Camera strap (AN-DC26)

✓ Body cap (BF-N1) Rubber eyecup (DK-29)

Within this time, there have been lots of improvements in technology, especially in the autofocus and subject detection systems. Chances are that this is the camera you were waiting for. Let's see how the Z5II fares on our testbench...

Design & Build Quality

By design, the Nikon Z5II is an interchangeable lens full frame mirrorless camera. Build quality is pretty good; the camera makes use of magnesium alloy in front & back for strength and durability. The body is weather-sealed and offers a deep handgrip (deeper than in the Z5) that provides greater confidence and a different feel when holding the camera. The body is made in Thailand. The Nikon Z5II uses a Back-Side Illuminated (BSI) CMOS imaging sensor. It is neither stacked nor partially stacked as in some of Nikon's more advanced models. This means that the sensor readout speed is slower compared to the Z8/9 or even the Z6III, but cameras using such advanced sensors cost significantly more; and most users, especially those coming from lower-down models, may not even notice that. The processor has been upgraded from EXPEED 6 to EXPEED 7 - the same that's used in Nikon's top models.