Nikon
Z5 IIC
Screen-first, viewfinder-free full-frame Z mount body: 24.5MP BSI sensor, EXPEED 7 AF with fish detection, 7.5-stop IBIS, 15 Scene Modes, and N-RAW video.
$1,399
Launch priceReleased Oct 2026
Nikon
Z7 II
45MP resolution body for landscapes and studio work.
$2,999
Launch priceReleased Oct 2020
Z5 IIC is 6 years newer.
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Wins
Z5 IIC
Wins
Z7 II
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZ7 II has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ7 II has higher EVF resolution (3,690,000 vs 1,040,000)
- AZ5 IIC has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 10 fps)
- AZ5 IIC has higher ISO max (native) (64,000 vs 25,600)
- BZ7 II has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 × 72 mm
620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z7 II
134 × 101 × 70 mm
615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 oz)
Z5 IIC is 20mm shorter than Z7 II but it is also 3mm thicker.
Z5 IIC is 5 g heavier than Z7 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 72mm Z5 IIC · 70mm Z7 II
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z7 II
134 × 101 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Z5 IIC
134 × 72 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z7 II
134 × 70 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z5 IIC
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Z7 II
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Z5 IIC
✓ more lensesNikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Z7 II
✓ 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 IIC
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Birds, Cars, Bicycles…
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 80.7, 72
ISO max (native)
64,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better
AA filter
Only Z5 IIC supports it
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Z5 IIC supports it
Internal RAW video
Only Z5 IIC supports it
Reasons to choose
Z7 II
Burst (mechanical)
10 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
EVF resolution
3,690,000 vs 1,040,000 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds MOV, MP4
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 100.5, 69.5
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
Resolution
45.7 MP vs 24.5 MP — higher is better
AF points / zones
493 vs 273 — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B, XQD
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 59.94 fps
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Z5 IIC
Pros
- ✓Lightest full-frame Z body (620g)
- ✓15 Scene Modes — first on a Nikon FX mirrorless
- ✓EXPEED 7 AF, 10 subject types incl. fish
- ✓7.5-stop IBIS + Focus Point VR
- ✓N-RAW internal recording, UVC/UAC webcam
Cons
- –No built-in EVF — rear screen only
- –Single SD UHS-II slot
- –No mechanical shutter
- –4K 60p is DX (APS-C) crop only
Z7 II
Pros
- ✓45MP detail
- ✓Dual slots
- ✓IBIS
Cons
- –Slower AF than Z8
- –4K 30p limitations
- –Superseded by Z8
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Z5 IIC and Z7 II at major authorized retailers.
Nikon Z5 IIC
Nikon Z7 II
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, Z5 IIC or Z7 II?
Z5 IIC scores 9.0/10 versus 4.5/10 for Z7 II — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the Z5 IIC and Z7 II?
Z5 IIC is 24.5 MP and Z7 II is 45.7 MP, so the Z7 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z5 IIC and Z7 II have in-body image stabilization?
Z5 IIC has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z7 II has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z5 IIC or the Z7 II?
Z5 IIC reaches 30 fps electronic. Z7 II reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z5 IIC and Z7 II?
Z5 IIC weighs 620 g and Z7 II weighs 615 g, so the Z7 II is 5 g lighter.
Do the Z5 IIC and Z7 II record 4K video?
Z5 IIC: 4K up to 59.94p. Z7 II: 4K up to 59.94p.
Are the Z5 IIC and Z7 II weather sealed?
Z5 IIC: Yes. Z7 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 350 shots (CIPA) for the Z5 IIC and 420 shots for the Z7 II, giving the Z7 II the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z5 IIC launched at $1,399 and Z7 II at $2,999. The Z5 IIC is $1,600 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Z5 IIC vs Z7 II vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed September 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.