OH, SNAP!

Finally setting our smartphone cameras aside, FACT reviews the new Nikon Z 5.


Meet the new Nikon Z 5, a marvellous piece of kit for budding and professional photographers alike. This a mirrorless camera that bridges the gap between advanced features and affordable pricing with effortless ease, featuring a robust build that feels comfortable in the hand while still carrying a bit of weight. It’s both sleek and compact without compromising on features, and appears to have been purposefully designed with content creators in mind. It’s immediately evident from the moment of unboxing that the Nikon Z 5 is the perfect companion for those looking to move away from their smartphones and up their skillset when it comes to photography and videography.

The first thing we notice is how easy it is to calibrate and, despite an abundance of buttons and dials on the rear of the camera body, using it is more accessible than it first appears. If you’ve ever picked up a DSLR before, you are likely to be at ease with the handling and functionality of Z 5. With users looking for more durability when it comes to photography, its standout functionality is obvious, as the camera excels in its capture of sharp details and excellent performance in low light conditions – even when shooting handheld. It’s easy to appreciate the Z mount system that connects with Nikon’s wide selection of high-performance NIKKOR Z lenses.

This particular model is boxed with the new NIK-KOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens, a portable and lightweight kit lens and one that is ideal for first-time full-frame users. The lens features a versatile focal length range, meaning it’s perfect for street photography and those who love to travel. Spec-wise, the Nikon Z 5 ticks many boxes and features a 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor, 4.5 fps continuous shooting with AF, and a 3.69M-dot OLED viewfinder. The Z 5 isn’t purely about the stills, as the camera has the option of interval-timer photography that allows for the capture of those all-important sunset time-lapses and the opportunity to unleash your inner Steven Spielberg. The camera is both compact and easy to handle while never feeling cumbersome. Navigation is simple thanks to the intuitive touchscreen while shortcuts can be set easily, allowing access to your most-used settings with quick precision.

We thoroughly appreciated the double SD memory card slots, meaning we could store plenty more photos and videos before needing to export them. Better yet, not only does the Z 5 offer increased battery capacity, but it can also be charged on the go via USB connectivity. With dust-and-drip resistance, fast-focusing reaction, and expressive imaging performance, the Nikon Z 5 is a viable option for those looking to venture beyond smartphone photography. It is, undoubtedly, the best entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera available on the market circa now. ✤

GO: VISIT WWW.NIKON-MEA FOR MORE INFORMATION.