Nikon
Z5 II
Affordable full-frame Z mount body with EXPEED 7 AF, 7.5-stop IBIS, 30fps electronic burst, and 4K video.
$1,699
Released Jan 2025
Nikon
Z8
Z9 internals in a compact body — 45.7MP stacked sensor, 8K 60p, no blackout burst.
$3,999
Released May 2023
Z5 II is 1.7 years newer.
Wins
Z5 II
Wins
Z8
3 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AZ5 II has higher Burst (mechanical) (14 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ8 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- AZ5 II has higher ISO max (native) (64,000 vs 25,600)
- BZ8 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
- BZ8 has higher Resolution (45.7 MP vs 24.5 MP)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Z5 II
134 × 101 × 72 mm
700 g (1.54 lb / 24.69 oz)
Z8
144 × 119 × 83 mm
820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)
Z5 II is 10mm narrower, 18mm shorter, and 11mm thinner than Z8.
Z5 II is 120 g lighter than Z8.
Depth (front-to-back): 72mm Z5 II · 83mm Z8
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Z5 II
134 × 101 mm
Z8
144 × 119 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Z5 II
134 × 72 mm
Z8
144 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z5 II
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Z8
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Z5 II
✓ more lensesNikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Z8
✓ more lensesNikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Z5 II
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -9 EV — lower is better
Burst (mechanical)
14 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 100.5, 72
ISO max (native)
64,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better
AA filter
Only Z5 II supports it
IBIS effectiveness
7.5 stops vs 6 stops — higher is better
Weight
700 g vs 820 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Z8
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 118.5, 83
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Z8 supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD
Resolution
45.7 MP vs 24.5 MP — higher is better
AF points / zones
493 vs 273 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓In-body stabilization — Both support in-body stabilization
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Z5 II
Pros
- ✓Full-frame value
- ✓EXPEED 7 AF
- ✓7.5-stop IBIS
- ✓Dual SD card slots
Cons
- –Not a stacked sensor
- –4K 60p crop
- –Entry-level controls
Z8
Pros
- ✓45.7MP stacked CMOS from Z9 — class-leading
- ✓8K 60p N-RAW internal
- ✓No mechanical shutter wear — fully electronic
- ✓20fps at full 45.7MP resolution
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 340 CIPA shots
- –No built-in grip (unlike Z9)
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, Z5 II or Z8?
Z8 scores 9.5/10 versus 6.0/10 for Z5 II — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the Z5 II and Z8?
Z5 II is 24.5 MP and Z8 is 45.7 MP, so the Z8 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z5 II and Z8 have in-body image stabilization?
Z5 II has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while z8 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z5 II or the Z8?
Z5 II reaches 30 fps electronic. Z8 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z5 II and Z8?
Z5 II weighs 700 g and Z8 weighs 820 g, so the Z5 II is 120 g lighter.
Do the Z5 II and Z8 record 4K video?
Z5 II: 4K up to 60p. Z8: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the Z5 II and Z8 weather sealed?
Z5 II: Yes. Z8: Yes.
How much does each cost?
Z5 II launched at $1,699 and Z8 at $3,999. The Z5 II is $2,300 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.