MUMBAI: Nikon has unleashed its latest weapon in the camera wars—the Z5II, a full-frame mirrorless marvel that promises to turn night into day. Unveiled yesterday in Mumbai, this 24.5-megapixel powerhouse boasts what the company rather immodestly calls "unparalleled performance" in challenging conditions, particularly when the lights go down.
The Z5II's party trick is its astonishing -10EV autofocus detection range—the lowest in Nikon's stable—allowing photographers to capture sharp images in environments so dim that rivals would be fumbling for a torch. Paired with a hefty 5-axis in-body stabilisation system offering up to 7.5 stops of shake compensation, the camera practically laughs in the face of tripods.
Speed demons will appreciate autofocus that's three times nippier than its predecessor, with a 14fps burst rate to freeze even the flightiest subjects. "Whether to capture a bird taking flight or a split-second moment in sports," Nikon boasts, "the Z5II is the perfect camera to capture fleeting instances with precision." One might say it puts the "snap" back in snapshot.
Filmmakers haven't been forgotten, with 4K 60p recording in crop mode and 4K 30p in full-frame—using 6K oversampling for extra detail—plus 12-bit N-Raw for those who enjoy torturing their computers during editing. Slow-motion aficionados can revel in Full HD at 120fps, perfect for capturing dramatic hair flicks or champagne corks in exquisite detail.
The Z5II flexes its artificial intelligence muscles with nine types of subject detection—tracking everything from dogs to trains—and introduces a dedicated picture control button for quickly cycling through "Imaging Recipes," Nikon's rather culinary term for its filters and presets.
For those shooting in harsh sunlight, the electronic viewfinder pumps out a retina-searing 3,000 cd/metre square of brightness, while a 3.2-inch vari-angle screen handles awkward angles with aplomb.
Nikon remains mum on pricing and availability, directing eager shutterbugs to its website for more information. With its impressive specs and focus on low-light performance, the Z5II appears poised to light up the mirrorless market—even in the darkest corners
