Five years after dropping the original Z5, Nikon is back with a serious upgrade. The new Nikon Z5 II is a compact, full-frame mirrorless camera that punches well above its weight class with features pulled from Nikon’s flagship models. It packs a 24MP BSI sensor, up to 96MP image capture with pixel shift, and Nikon’s EXPEED 7 image processor—the same chip used in the Z8 and Z9. Translation? Pro-level performance without the pro-level price tag.

For content creators and weekend warriors alike, the Nikon Z5 II’s versatility shines. You get up to 14 fps with the mechanical shutter or 30 fps using the electronic one. And thanks to pre-release capture, you’ll never miss that blink-and-you’ll-miss-it shot. Autofocus? Insanely good. Nikon’s 3D tracking covers nine subject types: pets, vehicles, and birds. At the same time, its new AF-A mode auto-switches focus settings based on movement—great for shooting energetic kids or unpredictable dogs.

Video capabilities haven’t been forgotten. While 4K is capped at 30 fps using the full sensor, you can hit 60 fps with a crop or 120 fps at 1080p. Add in in-body stabilization, a flippable LCD touchscreen, and a retina-scorching 3,000-nit EVF; this is a content machine.

Launching this month, the Nikon Z5 II starts at $1,700 for the body. Kits with lenses run up to $2,500. It’s not just an upgrade—it’s a full-blown leap forward for budget-conscious creatives.

For more Nikon news, check out the Nikon COOLPIX P1100.