I have been considering getting a Nikon Z full frame again to add to my Fujifilm system. Since my X-T5 just took a dump and I am waiting to get it repaired or replaced that itch has gotten stronger need to be scratched.
The Z system will be used for nature, pets and places. That said I can get a brand new Z7 II with 24-70 F4 $2000 vs a Z5 II with 24-120 F4 for $2700 plus tax. That 700+ saves a lot for glass.
What are the thoughts on getting the Z7 II today vs the Z5 II (I’m assuming the Z5 II is similar in performance to the Zf.)
Unless you absolutely must have 45MP, the Z5ii is a better camera is pretty much every way. Particularly if your pet is a fast mover, the AF in the newer bodies is much improved over the Z7ii.
I'd also recommend the 24-120 over the 24-70 f4. It's a much more useful lens, definitely one of the standouts in the Z lineup for it's blend of high versatility, resolution, and portability. A lot of people, myself included, ended dumping their 24-70 f4 one they got their hands on the 24-120.
Nature and Places: Z7ii for resolution
Pets: Z5ii for much better subject detection and AF-C tracking
Pains in the butt about the Z7ii - slow AF, lack of reliable subject detection, mixed storage media (CFE and SD), LCD that doesn't tilt in portrait, the old and highly inferior button layout, many missing QoL software items
Pains in the butt about the Z5ii - flippy screen for dedicated stills work
All that said, I really like the 24mp sensor in the Z5ii for landscape and travel applications paired with a very sharp lens like the 24-120 or a Voigtlander APO and rarely miss the extra resolution.
oscartb wrote:
Unless you absolutely must have 45MP, the Z5ii is a better camera is pretty much every way. Particularly if your pet is a fast mover, the AF in the newer bodies is much improved over the Z7ii.
I'd also recommend the 24-120 over the 24-70 f4. It's a much more useful lens, definitely one of the standouts in the Z lineup for it's blend of high versatility, resolution, and portability. A lot of people, myself included, ended dumping their 24-70 f4 one they got their hands on the 24-120.
The 24-70 would be sold and the 24-120 would be bought. I will replace my X-T5 with an X-H2s to cover my faster AF needs that covers me for wildlife and birds. I have shot D800 D700 D80 so I hope the Z7 II can do better AF than those.
Actually I don't know in the Z5II vs Z7II battle. I loved the Z7II when I owned it in the past and the 24-120 f/4 was a favorite all around lens. The Z7II had my favorite body and I liked the tilt lens best more of the time. I wish it was a two way tilt like the X-T5. The autofocus was ok for pics of our dogs, but "animal" subject detection did nothing for birds. For landscape it wasn't an issue. I sold it when I went Canon for better subject detection. I loved that went put into DX mode it was still 20mp like my Z50 at the time. It made my lens more useful.
I have a Zf which I'm selling for the Z5II I ordered. The 7.5-8 stops of IBIS and low light abilities really impress me enough to own it along side my Z50II. Having used the Expeed7 processor, the 45mp processor isn't enough to go back to the Expeed6 world. I love the 3d tracking and all of the subject detection modes. I expect if they ever upgrade the Z7II to a Z7III it will grow in size and weight a little. The Z8 is way too heavy for me to want to carry it around.
az-dave wrote:
I have been considering getting a Nikon Z full frame again to add to my Fujifilm system. Since my X-T5 just took a dump and I am waiting to get it repaired or replaced that itch has gotten stronger need to be scratched.
The Z system will be used for nature, pets and places. That said I can get a brand new Z7 II with 24-70 F4 $2000 vs a Z5 II with 24-120 F4 for $2700 plus tax. That 700+ saves a lot for glass.
What are the thoughts on getting the Z7 II today vs the Z5 II (I’m assuming the Z5 II is similar in performance to the Zf.)
The Z7 II will be plenty good in terms of auto focus, resolution, and dynamic range for those situations.
The advantage the Z5 II has over the Z7 II:
- Low Light Capabilities (noise, focus)
- Video Capability (10-bit 4:2:0 vs Line Skipped 8-Bit 4:2:0)
- Auto Focus (for fast moving subjects, BIF, etc)
The advantage the Z7 II has over the Z5 II:
- Dynamic Range
- Resolution (more detail, crop capability)
A lot of the comments have been echoing my own thoughts. I am too heavily invested in fujifilm glass to make a full system switch and don’t feel the need to. I have looked back at pictures I took with my D750 and know the 24mp is enough for my needs. I tend to shoot longer so a 85 1.8S and the 105 macro are the only other lenses I see myself getting on the Nikon side. Unless they release a 28mm 1.8 S. I am going to go with the Z5 II.
az-dave wrote:
A lot of the comments have been echoing my own thoughts. I am too heavily invested in fujifilm glass to make a full system switch and don’t feel the need to. I have looked back at pictures I took with my D750 and know the 24mp is enough for my needs. I tend to shoot longer so a 85 1.8S and the 105 macro are the only other lenses I see myself getting on the Nikon side. Unless they release a 28mm 1.8 S. I am going to go with the Z5 II.
Thanks again
Dave
Sounds like a plan. Good luck with it.
