fredmiranda.com
Login

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
  New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site
  New Feature: SMS Notification alert
  New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist
  

FM Forums | Nikon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

1              3       end
  

The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$

  
 
indusphoto
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.2 #1 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


bernardl wrote:
I shoot with my 400mm f2.8 S TC a lot on Z8/Z9 and I honestly don’t remember the last time I had to urgently use the mode dial in the middle of action… I use S mode 90% of the time, set it and forget it. Then M mode 10% of the time and that’s it

But I think it’s possible to use the F1/F2 custom buttons on the right side of the camera to behave as PASM mode switch.

Cheers,
Bernard


With respect, Z63/Z52 are not Z8/Z9. They have smaller grip which makes hand holding heavy setup a little more challenging. The PASM dial is not just PASM, it is also U1/U2/U3 settings (equivalent of Z9 shooting banks).

No, F1/F2 can't override the setting of physical dial, however with new firmware RSF is available which does help.



Oct 02, 2025 at 12:45 PM
EB-1
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #2 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


Ripolini wrote:
Like air conditioning in the car. If there is, great; if not, I'll just have to deal with it


That's not the same. If the A/C doesn't work you have it repaired.

EBH



Oct 02, 2025 at 03:54 PM
bernardl
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #3 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$




indusphoto wrote:
With respect, Z63/Z52 are not Z8/Z9. They have smaller grip which makes hand holding heavy setup a little more challenging. The PASM dial is not just PASM, it is also U1/U2/U3 settings (equivalent of Z9 shooting banks).

No, F1/F2 can't override the setting of physical dial, however with new firmware RSF is available which does help.


I’ll double check that, sorry if I was wrong.

Cheers,
Bernard



Oct 02, 2025 at 04:22 PM
old-gregg
Online
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #4 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


Ripolini wrote:
The SLR/DSLR cameras I've used in the past decades had/have a top screen, the only exceptions being the FM and F-301. Even my 35 y.o. F-801 has a top screen.
Personally, i) I find the top screen “very” useful for immediately seeing not only the shutter speed and aperture, but also the ISO settings and battery status, without having to use the monitor or EVF, ii) I can't stand the stingy commercial policy that certain companies (not just Nikon) have. Shame on Nikon for not including a top screen on the Z5II.


Well... that's just one opinion. And another is that the presence of a top screen is a sure sign that the camera must be immediately tossed to the trash. I love my Z8 for many other reasons, but the real estate-wasting screen keeps triggering my trash-tossing muscle memory. Makes me very nervous being around trash cans with a camera, but quite hopeful without one - I keep looking for tossed Z8s in them.



Oct 02, 2025 at 08:58 PM
bernardl
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #5 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


old-gregg wrote:
Well... that's just one opinion. And another is that the presence of a top screen is a sure sign that the camera must be immediately tossed to the trash. I love my Z8 for many other reasons, but the real estate-wasting screen keeps triggering my trash-tossing muscle memory. Makes me very nervous being around trash cans with a camera, but quite hopeful without one - I keep looking for tossed Z8s in them.


How many have you found so far?

Cheers,
Bernard




Oct 02, 2025 at 11:04 PM
DougVaughn
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.2 #6 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


I just bought the Z5II and received it Monday. I only took it out for a few dozen shots because it's been a busy week, but I plan to drive up to Yosemite tomorrow and give it more of a test.

Overall, I like the feel of the camera, although the menu is way too complicated. I spent 2-3 hours one night trying to find all the settings I really need and making them more accessible (my menu, i menu, function buttons).

I had played with a Zf about two years ago and loved the images but wasn't crazy about the ergonomics (it's a beauty though, and I like the B&W switch). My idea was to get the same image goodness in a more traditional form factor. Plus, I wanted something to mate with a 24-120 lens for all-around travel.



Oct 02, 2025 at 11:42 PM
curious80
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #7 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


Ripolini wrote:
The SLR/DSLR cameras I've used in the past decades had/have a top screen, the only exceptions being the FM and F-301. Even my 35 y.o. F-801 has a top screen.
Personally, i) I find the top screen “very” useful for immediately seeing not only the shutter speed and aperture, but also the ISO settings and battery status, without having to use the monitor or EVF, ii) I can't stand the stingy commercial policy that certain companies (not just Nikon) have.
Shame on Nikon for not including a top screen on the Z5II.


Its a perfectly reasonable preference to have. You should not buy Z5 II and instead should buy a camera that has this feature - that's as simple as that. Z5II packs a lot in a camera at this price point, but it can't have everything in the world that everyone wants. For many photographers it offers a great option, but for others like you it won't work. Good thing there are other options available to choose from.

These feature decisions are not just based on cost - they are often based on positioning. Z5 series is the lowest end Nikon FF camera series and this omission is one of the things that reflects this positioning. What is impressive is that Nikon has largely kept a pretty high-end feature set despite this being the lowest-end FF body. Most people will gladly trade off the top screen for the features Z5 II does manage to keep at this price point.

Edited on Oct 04, 2025 at 05:01 PM · View previous versions



Oct 03, 2025 at 12:46 AM
LostLensCap
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #8 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


patotts wrote:
Hard to argue with that assessment. And the Z6 III snags to top spot for around $2,000. But these recs are just a snapshot in time, wait a few months for the Sony a7V and Canon R6 III to come out, and things might change. And then Nikon releases the Z6 IV, the Z8 II, etc, etc.

For me, it is as much about the lenses I want to use - that guides which body I put behind the lens/es.


This is exactly how I feel about the state of Nikon's mirrorless cameras. Todays darling will be tomorrows chopped liver. I'm just gonna schlep around my D850/D500 for a few more years until things settle down a bit. I had a Z5 for a year or so and it was a good camera for me and the improvements they have made to the Z5ii will make it a great camera until the next generation comes along.




Oct 03, 2025 at 01:02 AM
bernardl
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #9 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


LostLensCap wrote:
This is exactly how I feel about the state of Nikon's mirrorless cameras. Todays darling will be tomorrows chopped liver. I'm just gonna schlep around my D850/D500 for a few more years until things settle down a bit. I had a Z5 for a year or so and it was a good camera for me and the improvements they have made to the Z5ii will make it a great camera until the next generation comes along.



On the other hand we know that progress will keep delivering better bodies. That has always been the case and will continue to be the case. But we know that within a type of products after a few generations we get into decreasing returns.

What truly matters is how well the best cameras we have today fare relative to the target application for a given budget.

I do not own a Z5II but from what I hear in all reviews, it performs really well on all accounts. So odds are that it will continue to satisfy the needs of buyers for a long time.

Regards,
Bernard



Oct 03, 2025 at 02:13 AM
unchecked
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #10 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


LostLensCap wrote:
This is exactly how I feel about the state of Nikon's mirrorless cameras. Todays darling will be tomorrows chopped liver. I'm just gonna schlep around my D850/D500 for a few more years until things settle down a bit. I had a Z5 for a year or so and it was a good camera for me and the improvements they have made to the Z5ii will make it a great camera until the next generation comes along.



Eh, to be honest the line up's pretty much set and the cycle is more or less there when we see the Z9ii. Then you move down the product lineup from there, two bodies a year.

Gone are the two year refresh cycles from the DSLR/early Z days.

D4 2012, D4s 2014, D5 2016, D6 2020.
D800 2012, D810 2014, D850 2017
D700 2008, D750 2014, D760 2019
D7100 2013, D7200 2015, D7500 2017
D5100 2011, D5300 2013, D5500 2015
D3000 2009, D3100 2010, D3200 2012, D3300 2014, D3400 2016, D3500 2018.

Then we have the Z6/Z7 2018 and Z6ii/Z7ii 2020.

If the Z9ii comes out next year, that will make it almost 5 years since it's late 2021's announcement.
The Z8 was out in 2023.
The Z6ii was out in 2020 with the Z6iii out mid 2024.
The Z5 was out 2020, the Z5ii out 2025
The Z50 was in 2019, the Z50ii late 2024

That said, if you're looking for the Z8ii, we are slightly past the mid-cycle right now, so there's no real or correct answer whether to get it or not, but yea since the Z8 is already two years old and a refresh could be due in the next 12 to 24 months. Nothing wrong if you wanna wait for it.



Oct 03, 2025 at 04:05 AM
 


Search in Used Dept. 

1bwana1
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.2 #11 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$




bernardl wrote:
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/the-best-cameras-under-2000-in-2025

Cheers,
Bernard


Certainly a reasonable choice in today's camera market. Nikon's current lineup is a strong one and getting better.



Oct 03, 2025 at 05:31 AM
patotts
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #12 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


Here is my confession/self-therapy rant of the day:

It is so easy if you have a bit of consumer mentality, you like gear, you really enjoy photography as a hobby or even profession, and you have a bit of disposable income, to then fall into the "upgrade trap" (hey, I am as guilty, or probably even more guilty than most). It is tempting to convince oneself that one will achieve better output/results/prints by acquiring the latest gear, or even switching from one brand to another, because a just-released camera or lens is often touted as the new best-in-class, perhaps even winning awards.

I've owned Leica M, Leica Q (1,2, and 3), Fujifilm XT, Canon 5D, Canon R5 & R6 II, Sony a1, a7RV, a7RIII, a7IV, a7CII... the list is actually quite embarrassing, especially when you consider how much time has been spent researching specs and reviews, securing good deals, selling old gear here on FM, going to Fedex or USPS to drop off packages, waiting for packages to be delivered to home, learning new camera menus and set-ups, etc, etc, etc. OK, it is not the worst of vices you can have, as I don't drink, gamble, or cheat, I pay my taxes and provide for my family, but man, it is a lot when you think about it.

As I look back (in my 50s now), some of my favorite photos were taken with a Leica M3, Nikon D70, or the D300. Today's cameras' specs, megapixels, auto-focus, dynamic range, and more far exceed those of the old machines. In most cases, the lenses are also far better. But it was about the subject, the timing, the light, the composition, and/or the moment.

In short, upgrading to the latest best-in-class camera, lens, or software is harmless and even enjoyable - it is surely a dopamine kick (your brain's reward system is firing on all cylinders) - but don't think it will revolutionize your photography.

[rant off]

Edited on Oct 03, 2025 at 07:17 AM · View previous versions



Oct 03, 2025 at 07:08 AM
jimmuller
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #13 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


Interesting. A few weeks ago I purchased a Z5 II and FTZ II adapter so I could use the old non-CPU lenses from my now-unused Nikkormat. It was the recommendation of the guy at the shop. Learning all the features has been chore (I miss the Nikkormat's simplicity already) but I can't say I'm missing anything that I didn't know was missing. So far I'm liking it!


Oct 03, 2025 at 07:11 AM
bernardl
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #14 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


indusphoto wrote:
With respect, Z63/Z52 are not Z8/Z9. They have smaller grip which makes hand holding heavy setup a little more challenging. The PASM dial is not just PASM, it is also U1/U2/U3 settings (equivalent of Z9 shooting banks).

No, F1/F2 can't override the setting of physical dial, however with new firmware RSF is available which does help.


I just confirmed that it is possible to assign the Mode function to a function button on the Z8/Z9 but not on Zf/Z6III.

Cheers,
Bernard




Oct 03, 2025 at 07:26 AM
mawz
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #15 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


bernardl wrote:
I just confirmed that it is possible to assign the Mode function to a function button on the Z8/Z9 but not on Zf/Z6III.

Cheers,
Bernard



That makes sense as it's not a physical selector on the Z8/Z9 and is on the lower end bodies (the Z5ii behaves like the Zf/Z6iii, I checked)



Oct 03, 2025 at 08:03 AM
suteetat
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #16 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


patotts wrote:
Here is my confession/self-therapy rant of the day:

It is so easy if you have a bit of consumer mentality, you like gear, you really enjoy photography as a hobby or even profession, and you have a bit of disposable income, to then fall into the "upgrade trap" (hey, I am as guilty, or probably even more guilty than most). It is tempting to convince oneself that one will achieve better output/results/prints by acquiring the latest gear, or even switching from one brand to another, because a just-released camera or lens is often touted as the new best-in-class, perhaps even
...Show more

I cannot agree more. As much as I spend on camera gears, I make sure I spend more on trips. It is boring just to
to have new gears and nowhere to go. I also want to revisit some places I went when I had my D7200/D500 or D810 and think what could Z8/Z9 or GFX system do with those locations

Interesting to hear about features that people want or miss. Personally, never care for top screen, I don't think I ever look at it when I use my camera ever. It does look better than have nothing there but that's about it.
I also set my camera mode once at the beginning of the shoot and I rarely need to change it midway through a shoot and left hand is always there to change it without having to take my eyes of the viewfinder if needed.





Edited on Oct 03, 2025 at 07:04 PM · View previous versions



Oct 03, 2025 at 05:57 PM
jimmuller
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #17 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


FWIW... After a few week of use I've figured out which buttons to program to those features I need quick access to. Since I'm using non-CPU lenses I'm giving up on some of the Z5 II's features, but it works for me. From today (also posted in the manual-focus Nikon glass thread):





So what am I missing by having bought Nikon's "cheap" camera? From what I read here anything more would be wasted.



Oct 03, 2025 at 07:02 PM
EB-1
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #18 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


jimmuller wrote:
So what am I missing by having bought Nikon's "cheap" camera?


...about 46% of the pixels compared to a Z7/8/9 series body.

EBH




Oct 03, 2025 at 07:24 PM
LostLensCap
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #19 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


jimmuller wrote:

FWIW... After a few week of use I've figured out which buttons to program to those features I need quick access to. Since I'm using non-CPU lenses I'm giving up on some of the Z5 II's features, but it works for me. From today (also posted in the manual-focus Nikon glass thread):

http://www.SouthernRail.com/pics/Z5/MySweetie.jpg


http://www.SouthernRail.com/pics/Z5/BubblePond.jpg


So what am I missing by having bought Nikon's "cheap" camera? From what I read here anything more would be wasted.


The Z6iii has a 1/2 stacked sensor that is much quicker and has a lot more video features. The Z8-Z9 have 46 mp sensors vs your 24mp and have even more video features. If you are like me and don't care all that much about video then the Z5ii may be all you ever need.



Oct 03, 2025 at 11:55 PM
jimmuller
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #20 · The Z5II is DPreview's recommended camera under 2,000 US$


Hmm, I thought the thrust of this thread was about that review, and then missing features like the top viewer. Pixels are like horsepower, more is always available but at a cost. So I could get 8000 pixels across instead of 6000. For still shots, unless I am printing them (or they are going into a magazine, for example) they are going to be viewed on a computer screen that is likely 2000 or smaller, downsized by me or by whatever good, bad or indifferent software Google or Microsoft or Apple or Corel provides. I'm not especially interested in video, certainly not to the level that I need pro quality. I get the point but it isn't pertinent to me right now.

Gee, I sure wish I had a top viewer. What am I going to do without one?



Oct 04, 2025 at 05:54 AM
1              3       end






FM Forums | Nikon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

1              3       end
    
 

Welcome back
Log in to your account