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
Z8
Z9 internals in a compact body — 45.7MP stacked sensor, 8K 60p, no blackout burst.
$3,999
Launch priceReleased May 2023
Z5 IIC is 3.4 years newer.
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Wins
Z5 IIC
Wins
Z8
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZ8 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BZ8 has higher EVF resolution (3,690,000 vs 1,040,000)
- AZ5 IIC has higher ISO max (native) (64,000 vs 25,600)
- BZ8 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 59.94 fps)
- BZ8 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
Z8
144 × 119 × 83 mm
820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)
Z5 IIC is 10mm narrower, 38mm shorter, and 11mm thinner than Z8.
Z5 IIC is 200 g lighter than Z8.
Depth (front-to-back): 72mm Z5 IIC · 83mm Z8
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
Z8
144 × 119 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
Z8
144 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z5 IIC
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 IIC
✓ 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 IIC
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -9 EV — lower is better
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 80.7, 72
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC
ISO max (native)
64,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better
AA filter
Only Z5 IIC supports it
Weight
620 g vs 820 g — lower is better
IBIS effectiveness
7.5 stops vs 6 stops — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z8
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 118.5, 83
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD, SD UHS-II
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
EVF resolution
3,690,000 vs 1,040,000 — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 59.94 fps — higher is better
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
Resolution
45.7 MP vs 24.5 MP — 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
- ✓1080p max frame rate — Both 120 fps
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
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
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)
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Z5 IIC and Z8 at major authorized retailers.
Nikon Z5 IIC
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Z5 IIC or Z8?
Z8 scores 9.5/10 versus 6.0/10 for Z5 IIC — 45.7MP — excellent for prints up to 24×36".
What's the resolution difference between the Z5 IIC and Z8?
Z5 IIC is 24.5 MP and Z8 is 45.7 MP, so the Z8 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z5 IIC and Z8 have in-body image stabilization?
Z5 IIC has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z8 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z5 IIC or the Z8?
Z5 IIC reaches 30 fps electronic. Z8 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z5 IIC and Z8?
Z5 IIC weighs 620 g and Z8 weighs 820 g, so the Z5 IIC is 200 g lighter.
Do the Z5 IIC and Z8 record 4K video?
Z5 IIC: 4K up to 59.94p. Z8: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the Z5 IIC and Z8 weather sealed?
Z5 IIC: Yes. Z8: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 350 shots (CIPA) for the Z5 IIC and 340 shots for the Z8, giving the Z5 IIC the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z5 IIC launched at $1,399 and Z8 at $3,999. The Z5 IIC is $2,600 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Z5 IIC vs Z8 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed September 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.