Within the F-mount markings, Nikon had a strategy of giving a single-digit mark to the top models. Entry level models had four digits starting from the low side and rising to the higher end of the APS-C top models. Z-line broke all the rules…

^{Source: NikonUSA}

These days Nikon seems like a confused group of incapable managers and disoriented designers that all have been vaccinated few times too much. They have presented us their new FF (FX in their World) entry level model on Tuesday. You may think – since they have two ‘professional’ models Z6 & Z7, and Z50 as APS-C – that this entry level full frame should be called Z10. Throw your logic in the nearest ocean, you won’t need it any more. They have called it Z5. Now, if this was the only thing out of logic, we could live with it, but… Let’s go with the greatest perv… deviation from logic first.

When Nikon announced Z6 & Z7, the wave of disappointment splashed all over the Nikonland, because both ‘professional’ models had only one card slot. I mean one slot each, not one slot for both cameras, although it was highly likely that corporative management also considered this kind of savings. By the God’s grace, on this entry level model they have treated us with two memory card slots! Hallelujah!

Not so fast!

Yes, you shouldn’t scream of joy too early, because this model – with two memory card slots – is not so fast at all. Entry level model cannot have the best sensor. So, instead of BSI (BackSide Illuminated) CMOS sensor, we have older generation FSI (FrontSide Illuminated) CMOS, which means 4.5 fps maximum speed, slower sensor readout, max 4K/30p with a heavy 1.7x crop, lower dynamic range, more rolling shutter and more heat… Have I forgot something? So, now you have two card slots when you can’t have top video. Fantastic decision. Wonder if the genius will get a bonus for that.

At the same Tuesday occasion, Nikon announced a small accompanying plastic-fantastic kit lens for the new camera. It is, by far, the slowest kit lens with dullest, and most unexciting focal length ever made – 24-50mm f/4-6.3… Chris Nicchols from the dPreview TV hates 35mm because it is not wide enough for everyday shots and not tight enough for portraits. I may add that the only worse thing than that would be a criminally short zoom lens with the f-stop so slow that camera obscura can outcompete it. Nikon ads insists on creativity… well, you will need a lot of creativity to get some sensible pics with these fc*-lengths. Street life at f-stops 4-6.3? How exciting…

Nikon dares to charge $400 for this… let’s call it lens again, as a separate item. And they were even insolent enough to call it ‘small almost as pancake!’ Does this look like a pancake to you?

^{Source: NikonUSA}

You can pay that much only if you intend to save Nikon with your generous charitable contribution. Or you can give them $300 if you are so desperate to have this so called lens, as a kit with your new camera… Or you can shell out $800 more for a decent allround travel zoom 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR for $2199 in total.

Nikon giveth, Nikon taketh…

Well, where are the specs? Let’s see if there is something worth having it over the previous ‘professional’ models:

feat.	Nikon Z5	Nikon Z6	Nikon Z7
Mount	Nikon Z	Nikon Z	Nikon Z
Sensor	FX (FF) FSI	FX (FF) BSI	FX (FF) BSI
MAX Res.	6016x4016 (24.3 MP)	6048x4024 (24.5 MP)	8256x5504 (45.7 MP)
AF points	273	273	493
In body IS	Yes, 5-axis	Yes, 5-axis	Yes, 5-axis
ISO standard	100-51200	100-51200	64-25600
ISO expanded	50-102400	50-204800	32-102400
FPS	4.5	12	9
Shutter speed	1/8000s-30s	1/8000s-30s	1/8000s-30s
Flash Sync	1/200s	1/200s	1/200s
Recording medium	2 UHS II	XQD card	XQD card
Viewfinder	3.69k OLED 0.8× mag.	3.69k OLED 0.8× mag.	3.69k OLED 0.8× mag.
Display	TFT LCD tilt	TFT LCD tilt	TFT LCD tilt
Touchscr	Yes	Yes	Yes
Diagonal	3.0"	3.2"	3.2"
Resolution	1.04 MP	2.1 MP	2.1 MP
Video	4K/UHD, 1.7x crop	4K/UHD no crop	4K/UHD no crop, interlaced
fps	4K 30 fps, 1080 60 fps	4K 30 fps, 1080 120 fps	4K 30 fps, 1080 120 fps w/crop
Wireless (Built-in)	802.11ac + Bluetooth	802.11ac + Bluetooth	802.11ac + Bluetooth
Battery Pack	EN-EL15c	EN-EL15b	EN-EL15b
Battery Life	390	310	330
Weight	590 gr	675 gr	675 gr
Dimensions	134x100.5x69.5 mm	134x100.5x67 mm	134x100.5x67 mm
Price (body)	$1400	$1850	$3399

Yes, it’s plastic, and is lighter, but still Nikon says it is dust and moisture resistant. Trust but DON’T verify under the shower. It has a new battery and better battery life… which was not hard having in mind ‘professional’ models. Even my X-T20 was ahead of them in that regard. And it even isn’t cheaper than Canon RP!

OK, but if I was stranded on a desert island with only one Camera store that have only Canon RP and Nikon Z5, this time I would buy Z5 for my last coconuts. Why? Irrational desire to possess that Z-mount and wait for the Tamron’s Z-version of their fantastic 28-200 f/2.8-5.6 Di III lens…

^{Source: NikonUSA}

And all that despite the fact that Nikon will never allow fully articulated display at their new cameras, and will never have so beautiful video AF as Dual Pixel on Canon’s models. At least they have on/off switch where it should be…

Overall Z5 is a fine addition to shattering illusions about the competence of Nikon’s management team. And since people love those pros and cons points, here are Nikon’s Cons first:

Cons:

No top OLED display
Old sensor
Slow FPS
Lower dynamic range
Low res display, still no full articulation
heavy 1.7x crop in 4K
No N-log
More rolling shutter
and probably more heat…

Pros:

Two memory card slots
Well positioned on/off switch, and…

let’s go just a bit deeper…

Should I put a measly better battery life here?

It does look kinda handsome from the back, wouldn’t you say?

^{Source: NikonUSA}

There must be something else, don’t be a quitter now…

Any Nikon fan to help?

That was not much of a help, let’s search further…

Oh, here it is! The price!

$1400 camera body

Let’s face it – despite everything, this bewildering camera mess is a full frame camera for only $1400, and that should scare the sh… living daylights out of Fujifilm!