Nikon Z5 II vs Nikon Zf – Let’s compare the two and find out the major difference between the photography and the videography parts.
Photography Analysis
Nikon Zf camera features extensive manual control
First, let’s talk about the design of both cameras. Nikon Zf is built like a tank and features extensive manual control over the body with a retro look, so if you are someone who loves to have a retro-looking camera for photography purposes, without having a second thought in your brain, you should pick this camera.
You have to buy an additional hand grip for Zf
In terms of overall design, the Nikon Z5 II camera has a deep hand grip, which is comfortable to hold for a longer period. However, due to its classic retro design, Zf does not have a deep or handy grip, so we have to buy it from SmallRig or a new addition, and you have to purchase it when you buy the Zf camera. In the Nikon Zf camera, we have a microSD card option and a UHS-II SD memory card slot, so you do have a dual card slot option—one is microSD. These cameras have similar 3.69 million-dot electronic viewfinders, but the Nikon Z5 II specifically mentions its brightness, which is 3000 nits—good for daylight shooting. The rest of the core specifications, which include the ports and the battery life, are approximately the same.
The Nikon Zf camera doesn’t have the joystick controller as we have in the Nikon Z5 II camera, it helps to navigate easily.
Internal core specifications of both the cameras.
Internally, both of the cameras are almost the same, so let’s start with the sensor.
Image sensor and image processor (same in both): Both cameras use a 24-megapixel BSI full-frame CMOS sensor. The Z5 II camera is paired up with the EXPEED 7 image processor. So technically, we will not find any big difference in the image quality performance of both the cameras. Both will provide us with similar types of images.
Image stabilization (same in both): Both of them feature a similar type of sensor-shift image stabilization unit inside them, and even the image processor that handles the firmware and the operation of the IBIS unit is the same. So the differences we see in the table—that one has 7.5 stops and the other has 8—may be due to some of the parameters that CIPA regularly changes while testing out the cameras. Although the IBIS unit inside both of these bodies is the same. And in both the cameras, we have an IS mechanism that you can link with lens VR (IBIS).
Continuous shooting speed (same in both): The Zf and Nikon Z5 II both can shoot at up to 11fps in RAW (in Continuous High Extended mode), and up to 15 or 14fps with the help of mechanical shutter, depending on the use of electronic or mechanical shutter for JPEG mode. There’s also a JPEG-only ‘C15’ and ‘C30’ mode that uses a video stream to shoot 30fps images. We also get a pre-burst option like that on the Z8 and Z9, in both the Nikon Z5 II and Nikon Zf.
Here’s a comparison table based on the information you provided for the Nikon Z5 II vs Nikon Zf:
| Feature |
Nikon Z5 II |
Nikon Zf |
| Design |
Modern DSLR-style with Standard controls |
Retro-style, Extensive manual controls |
| Build Quality |
Solid, ergonomic |
Built like a tank with vintage aesthetics |
| Handgrip Style |
Deep hand grip |
Lacks deep grip (requires external grip) |
| Memory Card Slots |
Dual card slots: 2x UHS-II SD |
Dual card slots: 1x UHS-II SD, 1x microSD |
| Electronic Viewfinder |
3.69 M-dot EVF, 3000 nits brightness |
3.69M-dot EVF |
| Sensor Type |
24MP BSI full-frame CMOS |
24MP BSI full-frame CMOS |
| Image Processor |
EXPEED 7 |
EXPEED 7 |
| Image Quality |
Similar performance |
Similar performance |
| Image Stabilization (IBIS) |
Yes (same unit as Zf) |
Yes (same unit as Z5 II), rated slightly higher (may vary due to CIPA testing) |
| Pixel Shift Mode |
Yes, 96 MP |
Yes, 96 Mp |
| IS + VR Sync |
Yes |
Yes |
| Continuous Shooting (RAW) |
Up to 11 fps (Continuous High Extended) |
Up to 11 fps (Continuous High Extended) |
| Pre-Shooting Buffer |
Yes |
No |
| JPEG Burst Modes |
C15 / C30 (up to 30fps JPEG via video stream) |
C15 / C30 (up to 30fps JPEG via video stream) |
| Pre-Burst Option |
Yes (like Z8/Z9) |
Yes (like Z8/Z9) |
| Battery Life & Ports |
Approx. same as Zf |
Approx. same as Z5 II |
Both cameras are capable of recording 4K videos at 60 fps with DX crop, and 4K 30 FPS oversampled video, as well as full HD videos up to 120 frames per second. All these frame rates are the same.
In a recent update to the firmware, the Nikon ZF received Clear Zoom as well as the latest Bird Eye Autofocus update.
Both of the cameras, the Nikon Z5 II and the Nikon ZF, record 4:2:2 10-bit videos internally in their SD card. Both of them share the 10-bit H.265, SDR, and N-Log modes as well as Red LUT LED support.
Now, where does the difference exist?
- The difference is that the Nikon Z5 II can record N-RAW videos internally in its SD card, whereas the Nikon ZF is limited to recording N-Log, unprocessed video, still not available in the ZF camera.
- Product Showcase mode: This exclusive feature is currently only limited to the Nikon Z5 II camera. We hope and expect that in upcoming firmware updates, Nikon ZF will get that, too.
| Feature |
Nikon Zf |
Nikon Z5 II |
| Max Video Resolution |
4K 60p (1.5x crop) |
4K 60p (1.5x crop) |
| Uncropped 4K |
Up to 30p |
Up to 30p |
| Full-HD Slow Motion |
Up to 120p |
Up to 120p |
| N-Log |
Yes, 10-bit |
Yes, 10-bit |
10-bit H.265 in SDR/HLG/N-log tone modes (both cameras)
|
| Waveform Monitor |
Yes |
Yes |
| RED LUTs Compatibility |
Yes |
Yes |
| N-Raw Recording |
Yes (12 Bit), internally |
No |
IBIS
|
Yes |
Yes |
| Electronic VR |
Yes |
Yes |
| Product Review Mode |
Yes |
No |
| High-Res Zoom |
Yes (2X) |
Yes (2X) |
The Conclusion
When we talk about photography performance, then both the camera Nikon Z5 II and Nikon ZF deliver almost the same performance the fact both of them feature the same sensor and image processor, and even the same sensor. Now, for photographers who love retro design, retro aesthetic, and extensive manual control over their body, they should prefer the Nikon ZF camera, but do remember that because the hand grip is minimal, you have to buy an additional hand grip for extended shoots. On the other side, we have the Nikon Z5 II, which features a very good DSLR-style modern design and deep hand grip — a perfect camera for weddings or even shooting.
Now, when we talk about videography, the Nikon Z5 II takes a slight lead, or you can say advantage, due to the availability of N-RAW recording which is not present inside the Nikon ZF camera. It will give professionals and videographers a bit more flexibility in colour grading and post-production. The other advantage that we have for content creators is the product showcase mode in Z52, so it’s an ideal camera for YouTube and content creators by enabling product showcase mode.
Nikon Zf vs Nikon Z5 II – Price Check – Latest Deals
Nikon Zf body price – B&H Store – Amazon.com
Get the Nikon Z5 II camera from B&H Store | Adorama.com | Amazon.com
Support us – Use or affiliate link Amazon.com | B&H Store | Adorama.com for the next purchase u make – it helps us 
Follow us on our social pages FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM to get live Camera News + Nikon Rumors 24X7
