Recording Features
Connections
Play, Print and Edit Features
Battery Information
Lens Features
Downloadable Software

Recording Features

Overview: The Z5 is the latest camera in Nikon's new Z Series of mirrorless, full-frame digital cameras. The Z5 can produce stunning 24.3-megapixel still images and broadcast quality 4K video. The camera has the new Nikon Z mount, and is compatible with Z-mount NIKKOR lenses. With an available mount adapter, you can use F-mount NIKKOR lenses. The package includes the camera body and the NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 zoom lens.

Image Sensor: The Z5 is equipped with an FX-format, 35.9 x 23.9mm CMOS image sensor with 24.3 million effective pixels (and 24.93 million total pixels). The Nikon FX format, with its native 3:2 aspect ratio, enables photographers to take advantage of the familiar perspective characteristics of 35mm film photography. You can choose to shoot in the FX format (36 x 24), or switch to 1:1 (24 x 24), 16.9 (36 x 20), or DX format (24 x 16).

Magnesium Alloy Body: The Z5 is made with rugged, durable, and lightweight magnesium alloy, the same material used in the Z7 flagship. The body is weather-sealed to resist dust, moisture, and electromagnetic interference.

Still Image Size/Quality: The Z5 records still images in JPEG and NEF* (RAW) formats. It can also record in both NEF (RAW) + JPEG formats simultaneously. JPEG images can set to fine (1:4 compression), normal (1:8), or basic (1:16) image quality. Depending upon the selected format (image area), you can choose from the following image sizes:

Movies: The camera can record movies in MOV and MP4 formats with MPEG-4/H.264 advanced video coding and Linear PCM (MOV format) or AAC audio (MP4 format). Audio is recorded using the built-in stereo microphone, or an external stereo microphone (connected via the provided 3.5mm mic jack). Image quality can be set to High or Normal. The available movie options include:

Recording Media: The Z5 has dual memory card slots that can accommodate SD memory cards. Both UHS-I and UHS-II cards are supported. Cards rated UHS Speed Class 3 or better are recommended for movie recording. No memory cards are supplied with the camera. You can choose from the following options for the card inserted in Slot 2:

• Overflow: The card in Slot 2 is used only when the card in Slot 1 is full.
• Backup: Each picture is recorded twice, once to the card in Slot 1 and once to the card in Slot 2.
• Separate Formats: When NEF (RAW) + JPEG is selected, the NEF (RAW) images are recorded to the card in Slot 1, while the JPEG images are recorded to the card in Slot 2.
• Copying: Photos in the card in Slot 1 can be copied to the card in Slot 2.

Touch-sensitive LCD Monitor: The Nikon Z5 features 3.2-inch, 1,040,000-dot tilting TFT LCD monitor with a 170° wide viewing angle and 100% frame coverage. The monitor has an 11-level adjustable brightness control. The Z5 features a Live View that lets you use the monitor in place of the camera's viewfinder to confirm your subject and composition while shooting. The touch screen can be used to position the focus point during live view, measure a value for preset manual white balance, and for typing. During playback you can swipe to view images, zoom in or out of images, view thumbnails, and view movies.

OLED Viewfinder: In addition to the LCD monitor, the Z5 has a 0.5", OLED viewfinder with approximately 3,690,000 dots (Quad VGA), and 100% vertical and horizontal frame coverage. It has a diopter adjustment knob so you can set the viewfinder to your personal eyesight (with or without eyeglasses). The bright and sharp viewfinder makes focusing in low-light situations possible. The viewfinder offers approximately 0.8x magnification. An eye sensor near the viewfinder automatically switches between the monitor and viewfinder as you raise or lower the camera to your eye.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: The Z5 has built-in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac, 2.4 and 5 GHz) and Bluetooth (4.2), allowing you to wirelessly connect the camera to computers, smartphones, or tablets running the SnapBridge app. On the app, you can download pictures from the camera, record location data from your device to your photos, or control the camera for taking pictures remotely. With the Wireless Transmitter Utility software loaded on your computer, you can easily upload images via Wi-Fi from your camera to your computer automatically. The camera and computer can be connected via a Direct Wireless Connection (Access-Point Mode) or on an existing network (Infrastructure Mode).

Vibration Reduction: The Nikon Z5 features built-in Vibration Reduction (VR) in the camera. This 5-axis image sensor shift can be applied while shooting still images or movies. In the menu, you can select Normal VR (for static subjects) or Sport VR (for rapidly moving subjects), or Off. In addition, lens shift Vibration Reduction is available with certain VR lenses.

273-Point Autofocus System: The Z5 is equipped with a hybrid phase-detection/contrast Autofocus system with AF assist. With 273 focus points, you can select from the following AF-area modes: Pinpoint AF, Single-point AF, Dynamic-area AF, Wide-area AF (S), Wide-area AF (L), and Auto-area AF. You can choose from Single or Continuous Auto Focusing, or Manual Focusing.

Focus Lock: Focus Lock can be used to change the composition after focusing, making it possible to focus on a subject that will not be in a focus area in the final composition.

Focus Shift Shooting Mode: To obtain a photo with a wide depth of field, the Focus Shift Shooting Mode takes a series of individual photos, each with a slightly different focus distance. Using 3rd party software, the images can be stacked into a single image. Before shooting, you must choose the number of shots (up to 300), the focus step width, the time between shots (in seconds), first-frame exposure lock (on/off), silent photography (on/off), and the folder in which to save images.

Release Modes: The release mode determines how the camera takes photographs. You can choose from the following shooting modes:

• Single Frame: camera takes one photograph each time the shutter-release button is pressed
• Continuous L: while shutter-release button is held down, the camera records 1 to 4 frames per second, as selected in the menu.
• Continuous H: while the shutter-release button is held down, the camera records continuously at up to about 4.5 frames per second.
• Self-Timer: use self-timer for self-portraits or to reduce blurring caused by camera shake; you can set the self-timer to 2, 5, 10 or 20 seconds. Up to 9 self-timer exposures can be taken at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds.

Interval Timer Photography: The Z5 is equipped to take photographs automatically at preset intervals. Shooting will begin about 3 seconds after the interval is set or you can set a start time. You can select the number of intervals, and the number of shots taken per interval. The interval length can be set in hours, minutes, and seconds. You can also set up the camera to take a silent time-lapse movie, with the frame size, frame rate, and image area currently selected in the movie shooting menu.

Exposure Modes: The Exposure Modes determine how the camera sets shutter speed and aperture when adjusting exposure. You can choose from the following Exposure Modes using the top-mounted Mode Dial:

• Auto: A "point-and-shoot" mode in which the camera sets exposure and hue.
• Programmed Auto (P): The camera sets shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure according to a built-in program; recommended for snapshots and other situations in which there is little time to adjust camera settings.
• Shutter-Priority Auto (S): The user chooses the shutter speed while camera sets aperture for best results; use to freeze or blur motion. The shutter speed can be set from 30 to 1/8000 seconds.
• Aperture-Priority Auto (A): The user chooses the aperture while the camera sets shutter speed for best results; use to blur background for portraits or bring both foreground and background into focus for landscape shots.
• Manual (M): The user controls both shutter the speed and aperture for complete control over exposure.
• User Settings (U1/U2/U3): You can assign frequently-used settings to these positions for quick recall.

Long Time-Exposures: When the M (manual) exposure mode is selected, you can choose between two Long Time-Exposure modes: Bulb and Time. During Bulb shooting, the shutter will remain open while the shutter-release button is held down. Bulb shooting is used for long time-exposure photographs of moving lights, the stars, night scenery, or fireworks (an optional tripod and optional remote cord are recommended to prevent blur). Time exposures start when the shutter-release button is pressed on the camera or an optional remote control. The shutter remains open until the button is pressed a second time.

Exposure Compensation: You can alter the exposure from the value suggested by the camera, making pictures brighter or darker. You can adjust the exposure from -5.0 to +5.0 EV in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV. Exposure compensation is available in P, S, A, and M modes.

Metering: The Z5 utilizes through-the-lens (TTL) metering using the camera's image sensor. You can choose one of the following metering methods:

• Matrix Metering: The camera meters a wide area of the frame and sets exposure according to tone distribution, color, distance, and composition for natural results.
• Center-weighted: The camera meters the entire frame but assigns greatest weight (75%) to the 12mm area in the center of the frame. The weighting can also be based on the average of the entire frame.
• Spot: The camera meters inside a 4mm diameter circle (approximately 1.5% of frame). The circle is centered on the selected focus area, centered on selected focus points.
• Highlight-weighted: The camera assigns the greatest weight to highlights to reduce loss of detail in highlights.

Multiple Exposure: This feature records a series of two to ten NEF (RAW) exposures in a single photograph. Multiple exposures can be recorded at any image quality setting, and produce results with colors noticeably better than photographs combined in an imaging application because they make use of RAW data from the camera image sensor.

White Balance: White balance is used to preserve natural colors under different types of lighting. You can choose one of the following white balance options: Auto (3 options), Natural Light Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 options), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, or Shade. You can also choose a color temperature from a list of values (2500K-10000K), or manually set the white balance using the subject, light source, or existing photograph in the memory card as reference. The White Balance Fine Tuning feature allows you to compensate for variations in the color of the light source or to introduce a deliberate color cast into an image by adjusting the amber, blue, green and magenta color settings.

Bracketing: Bracketing automatically varies exposure, flash level, Active D-Lighting (ADL), or white balance slightly with each shot, "bracketing" the current value. You can set the increment to 1/3, 2/3, 1, or 1.3 EV, and the number of shots to 2, 3, 5, 7, or 9. In exposure, flash level, and ADL bracketing, multiple shots are required to complete the "bracket" as the camera will vary the settings with each shot. With white balance bracketing, the camera creates multiple copies of each photograph, each with a different white balance. Bracketing can be combined with continuous shooting or the self timer modes.

ISO Sensitivity: ISO Sensitivity is the digital equivalent of film speed. You can set the ISO Sensitivity to Auto or Manual. You can manually select settings of ISO 100 to ISO 51200 in steps of 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV. For special occasions, expanded settings of Lo 0.3 to 1 EV (equivalent to ISO 50) below ISO 100, or to approximately 0.3 to 1.0 EV above ISO 51200 (equivalent to 102400).

Picture Controls: The camera offers seven preset Nikon Picture Controls. You can choose a Picture Control according to the subject or type of scene:

• Auto: The camera automatically adjusts hues and tones based on the Standard Picture Control. Complexions of portrait subjects are softer, and foliage and sky colors are more vivid than Standard.
• Standard: Standard processing for balanced results; recommended for most situations.
• Neutral: Minimal processing for natural results; recommended for photographs that will later be extensively processed or retouched.
• Vivid: Pictures are enhanced for a vivid, photo-print effect; recommended for photos that emphasize primary colors.
• Monochrome: Takes monochrome photographs.
• Portrait: Process portraits for skin with natural texture and a rounded feel.
• Landscape: Produces vibrant landscapes and cityscapes.
• Flat: Details are preserved over a wide tone range; good for photos that will be retouched or processed later.
• Creative Picture Controls: You can choose from the following: Dream, Morning, Pop, Sunday, Somber, Dramatic, Silence, Bleached, Melancholic, Pure, Denim, Toy, Sepia, Blue, Red, Pink, Charcoal, Graphite, Binary, and Carbon.

Color Space: The color space determines the gamut of colors available for color reproduction. You can select either sRGB for photos that will be printed or used "as is" with no further modification, or Adobe RGB for images that will be extensively processed or retouched after leaving the camera.

Active D-Lighting: Active D-Lighting preserves details in highlights and shadows, creating photographs with natural contrast. Active D-Lighting offers the following application strength levels: Auto, Extra High, High, Normal, Low, and Off.

Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS): The Z5 does not have a built-in flash. Optional flash units can be attached to the camera's accessory shoe. The camera supports the Nikon Creative Lighting System when used with CLS-compatible flash units, such as the SB-R200, SB-300, SB-400, SB-500, SB-600, SB-700, SU-800, SB-800, SB-900, SB-910, and the new flagship flash SB-5000. The following flash modes are supported: Fill flash, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with Red-eye reduction, Slow sync, and Off.

Flash Control: The camera supports the following Flash Control modes: TTL, Auto external flash, Distance-priority manual, Manual, and Repeating Flash.

Flash Compensation: Flash compensation is used to alter flash output from -3 EV to +1EV in increments of 1/3 EV to change the brightness of the main subject relative to the background. Flash output can be increased to make the main subject appear brighter or reduced to prevent unwanted highlights or reflections.

FV Lock: This feature is used to lock the flash output, allowing photographs to be recomposed without changing the flash level and ensuring that the flash output is appropriate to the subject even when the subject is not positioned in the center of the frame. The Flash output is adjusted automatically for any changes in ISO sensitivity and aperture.

Streaming Webcam: Using Nikon's Webcam Utility software, you can use the camera to live stream high quality video on many of the popular video conferencing software platforms. You will need to connect the camera to your computer via the included USB cable. The camera's microphone will not capture sound, so a separate microphone is needed, plugged into the computer's microphone port. Optional accessories include a tripod or other mount, and a constant light source. The software works with many of your favorite streaming apps, including Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, Facebook Messenger, and Microsoft Teams. Nikon's Webcam Utility is compatible with Windows 10 Home, Pro, or Enterprise (64-bit only) and macOS Big Sur (Version 11), macOS Catalina (Version 10.15), macOS Mojave (Version 10.14), and macOS High Sierra (Version 10.13).

Connections

HDMI: The camera features a mini-HDMI (Type C) output for connecting the camera to an HDTV or other high-definition video device via an optional HDMI cable.

SuperSpeed USB: The Z5 has a SuperSpeed USB Type-C connector. This high-speed USB port can be used for downloading photos to your computer or connecting the camera to a printer. A 24" USB-C cable is included.

Microphone: The camera has a 3.5mm input for an external microphone, such as the Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone. The sensitivity of a connected external microphone can be set in the menu.

Headphone: The camera has a 3.5mm stereo headphone output to allow you to monitor audio during movie recording.

Accessory Terminal: The Z5 has an accessory terminal for connecting other optional accessories, such as the MC-DC2 Remote Cord, GPS Units (GP-1 or GP-1A), and the WR-R10/WR-T10/WR-1 Wireless Remote Controllers.

Play, Print and Edit Features

Auto Image Rotation: Photographs taken while Auto Image Rotation is set to "On" contain information on camera orientation, and allow the images to be rotated automatically during playback, or when viewed using the downloadable NX Studio software.

Playback Menu: The playback menu contains the following options:

• Delete: allows you to delete the current image or all the images in the selected folder or folders
• Playback Folder: allows you to play back the images in the current folder, all folders created with the Z5, or all folders on the memory card
• Display Options: choose from either a detailed display of information or a basic display of information
• Image Review: When this setting is enabled, the camera displays the image on the LCD monitor after the picture is taken.
• After Delete: choose the picture displayed after an image is deleted (next, previous, continue)
• Rotate Tall: portrait photos are displayed in tall orientation during playback
• Slide Show: allows you to play back images one after the other in a slide-show fashion. You can select the type of images to display, and how long each photo will be displayed, and if audio will be played.
• Rating: You can rate pictures from zero to five stars, or mark them for later deletion.

Full-Frame Playback: During Full-Frame playback, you can view all the pictures stored on the memory card one at a time.

Thumbnail Playback: This feature allows you to view four (2x2), nine (3x3), or 72 (9 x 8) images at once on the LCD monitor so that you can search for an image quickly.

Playback Zoom: During single-image and thumbnail playback, you can zoom in or out on the selected image. This is helpful to view faces, or other areas of the image. FX-format (36 x 24) photos can be zoomed in to a maximum of approximately 33x (large), 25x (medium), or 17x (small). Once the image is enlarged, you can move it around on the LCD monitor using the multi selector.

Retouch Menu: The Retouch Menu allows you to create trimmed, resized or retouched copies of the photographs you have taken on the memory card. The Retouch Menu gives you the following editing options: NEF (RAW) processing, Trim, Resize, D-Lighting, Red-eye correction, Straighten, Distortion control, Perspective control, Monochrome, Image overlay, and Trim movie.

Image Comment: The camera allows you to input up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text and save it to a recorded image. The comment can be viewed in the downloadable NX Studio software as metadata.

Battery Information

Battery: The Z5 is powered by the EN-EL15c Lithium-ion battery (7.0 V, 2280 mAh, 16 Wh). The battery charges in approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes using the supplied MH-25a battery charger. The estimated battery life for the EN-EL15c is as follows:

Optional Battery Pack: The Z5 is compatible with the MB-N10 Battery Pack which allows you to use two EN-EL15c (or EN-EL15b) batteries to increase the length of shooting time by up to 1.8 times. The MB-N10 attaches to the bottom of the camera body and connects through the camera's battery compartment.

Lens Features

Lens Overview: This Nikon Z5 package includes the NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens, a versatile wide angle to standard zoom lens that conveniently covers the sweet spot of focal lengths. At the wide angle position, you can capture wide open landscapes, street photography, and architecture. Zoom in to 50mm for portraits, product images, and everyday snapshots. The minimum focusing distance at all zoom positions is 1.15' (13.8").

FX-format Lens: This lens is optimized for use on Nikon FX-format (full frame) cameras, but it is also compatible with Nikon's DX-format cameras. When used on a DX-format camera, the lens will have an angle of view equivalent to a 36-75mm lens, due to the crop factor of 1.5x.

Nikon Technologies: The NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens is equipped with the following Nikon technologies:

• Stepping Motor (STM): NIKKOR Z lenses use a stepping motor for fast, accurate, smooth, quiet autofocusing. The motor operates in virtual silence, which makes it ideal for video recording.
• Electromagnetic Diaphragm Mechanism (E): The lens has an electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism in the lens barrel to provide accurate aperture blade control during auto-exposure during continuous shooting. Conventional lenses (D/G types) have mechanical linkage levers to control the diaphragm blades.
• Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Glass: This lens contains Extra-low Dispersion optical glass developed by Nikon for optimum correction of chromatic aberrations.
• Internal Focusing (IF): The lens features a system in which only the internal lens group moves during focusing, eliminating changes in the physical length of the lens during auto focusing, and enabling closer focusing distances.
• Super Integrated Coating (SIC): The lens features a multi-layered coating of the optical elements.

Lens Construction: The lens contains 11 elements in 10 groups, including 2 ED lens elements, and 3 Aspherical elements.

Filter Diameter: The NIKKOR 24-50mm zoom lens features a screw-in filter thread that accommodates 52mm filters.

Control Ring: The smooth operating Control Ring gives you quick access to several functions, including aperture control, exposure compensation, or ISO sensitivity. The functionality is customizable in the menu of the attached Z-series camera. The ring rotates in silence, which is ideal for shooting video.

Lens Hood: The optional bayonet-style HB-98 lens hood (sold separately) blocks stray light from getting into the lens causing flare or ghosting. It also protects the front of the lens from direct contact, as well as keeping out dirt, rain, and snow. When not in use, the lens hood can be reverse-mounted onto the lens for storage.

Specifications:

• Focal Length: 24mm - 50mm
• Mount: Nikon Z mount
• Format: FX (full-frame); DX (APS-C) with a 1.5x crop factor
• Maximum Aperture: f/4 (at 24mm); f/6.3 (at 50mm)
• Minimum Aperture: f/22 (at 24mm); f/36 (at 50mm)
• Maximum Reproduction Ratio: 0.17x (50mm zoom position)
• Angle of View:
  • FX-Format: 84° to 47°
  • DX-Format: 61° to 31°30'
• Focusing System: Internal focusing system
• Focal Length Scale: graduated in millimeters (24, 28, 35, 40, 50)
• Minimum Focus Distance: 1.15' (13.8") at all zoom positions
• Diaphragm: 7-blade rounded diaphragm opening
• Filter Diameter: 52mm (screw type)
• Dimensions: Diameter 2.878", Length 2.208" (2.752" w/caps)
• Weight: 6.9 ounces

Downloadable Software

NX Studio: No software is included in the box with the camera. NX Studio is a new all-in-one software for viewing, processing, and editing your still images and videos. The software integrates all the benefits and functions of Nikon's ViewNX-i and Capture NX-D into a highly functional single software solution. With NX Studio, you can edit your photos using picture controls, white balance settings, and exposure compensation for RAW data. New features include color control points to adjust a specific area of a photo, and a retouch brush feature for advanced color correction. NX Studio works with JPEG, TIFF, and NEF (RAW) files. NX Studio is available as a free download, and works with the following Operating Systems: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and macOS Big Sur (ver.11), Catalina (ver.10.15), and Mojave (ver.10.14)