Nikon launches viewfinderless Z5IIc

Nikon has announced the Z5IIc, a new full-frame mirrorless camera that becomes the company's cheapest full-frame model by removing the electronic viewfinder. The camera is aimed at first-time buyers stepping up from smartphones, who are accustomed to composing shots on a screen.

To achieve a lower price, Nikon's most significant change was eliminating the viewfinder entirely. This makes the Z5IIc completely reliant on its rear touchscreen for composition. That screen itself has been downgraded to a 3.2-inch, 1.02-million-dot unit, compared to the higher-resolution screen on the standard Z5II. Another cost-cutting measure is the inclusion of only a single SD card slot, a move Nikon considers reasonable for its target audience.

Core specifications and performance

Despite the cuts, the Nikon Z5IIc retains many key specifications from the more expensive Z5II. It uses the same 24.5-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and Expeed 7 processor. The standard ISO range is 100-64,000, extendable to 50-204,800. It can shoot at up to 11 frames per second in raw format and a rapid 30 frames per second in JPEG. The camera features in-body image stabilization rated for up to 7.5 stops of shake reduction and can record 4K video at 30 frames per second using the full sensor width.

Intelligent subject recognition for humans, animals, and vehicles is included. According to the source, "That's a pretty comprehensive spec, and to be honest, few photographers really need more."

New and niche features

The camera introduces some new capabilities alongside its core specs. The subject detection system has been expanded to recognize fish, a feature Nikon says is not currently supported by an underwater housing. The Z5IIc also debuts Intelligent Scene Modes for the full-frame Z series and includes a product review mode designed for vloggers. Nikon states the body has the same degree of weathersealing as the Z5II but does not provide an official IP rating.

Connectivity is handled through the SnapBridge app for smartphone linking and the Nikon Imaging Cloud service. Imaging Cloud provides image backup, automatic firmware updates, and access to colour output recipes from Nikon and RED.

Market position and design

Design-wise, the Z5IIc looks like a Z5II without the viewfinder hump. It retains two electronic dials for exposure control but omits a joystick, a compromise the source finds forgivable given the lack of a viewfinder. Its most direct competitor is the Panasonic Lumix S9, another viewfinderless full-frame camera with a fully-articulated screen. However, Nikon is not positioning the Z5IIc as a video-first model but as one equally suited for stills photography. It differentiates itself with a mechanical shutter, a proper handgrip, and what the source calls a "much more photographer-friendly control setup."

Nikon is clear that the Z5IIc is about offering more choice and does not replace the existing Z5II. The source from Amateur Photographer notes a potential drawback for new users coming from smartphones: phone screens are typically larger and much brighter, making them usable in strong sunlight where camera screens often struggle. The source admits, We haven't had the chance to test the Z5IIc yet, but it's unlikely to fare any better than other cameras in this regard.

The Nikon Z5IIc is scheduled to go on sale in mid-October in all-black or silver/black finishes.