Nikon Z5 PDF User Manual
Did you lose or misplace the instruction manual that came with your Nikon Z5? It happens all too easily, but fortunately Nikon makes a soft copy available that you can browse through online, print out, or download (see the pdf file below). It is certainly good practice to carefully familiarize oneself with the many different functionalities and options that the Z5 offers, and the official user manual is without doubt an authoritative and comprehensive source of respective information.
That said, the instruction booklet can be a dry read, so that a dedicated camera guide book from a professional photographer that illustrates the camera's core functions in a real life photography context can be a very helpful complement. Yes, getting one of these camera guides (see here at amazon) would involve an additional expense, but if that book helps to exploit the camera's potential to the full, the (small) additional investment may well be worth it.
Also, you might want to check out the video tutorial on the Nikon Z5 below.
In any case, the Z5 is an advanced imaging tool, whose many features merit serious attention. This mirrorless interchangeable lens camera was revealed to the public on July 21st, 2020, which means that, as of today, the camera is 1371 days old (young?). Given that the Z5 is a relatively recent model, it forms part of the current Nikon product line-up.
Nikon's reference manual for the Z5
The camera's reference manual is 790 pages long. The pdf version is embedded below. As you browse through, you will hopefully find the information you are looking for. You can also print out a hard copy by right clicking on the manual and then choosing the respective menu option. For convenience, a summary of the key specs of the Z5 is included towards the bottom of this webpage.
Don't forget to bookmark this page for future reference (Ctrl-Shift-D on a Windows PC; Cmd-Shift-D on a Mac). Happy browsing!
Click on the button below to download the pdf version of the Nikon Z5 manual to your computer. The file will open in a new browser window.
If you prefer to read the user guide in another language, please check the respective availability on Nikon's support site. That site also provides complementary online resources, such as information on the compatibility of various camera accessories or the availability of firmware updates that are not necessarily comprehensively covered in the instruction manual.
Printed, hardcopy versions of the Nikon Z5 manual can sometimes be found online. You can check the availability on amazon and ebay via the buttons below.
Video tutorial for the Nikon Z5
Perhaps instead of reading through a manual or operations guide, you might prefer to better familiarize yourself with your Z5 by watching a video tutorial. It can notably help to quickly get to know the key functions and to set up your camera according to your particular preferences and needs.
Once again, the Nikon Z5 is a sophisticated imaging tool and not exploiting its capabilities to the full would be a pity. Hence, taking the time to study online information material or to read through a well-written camera guide book is highly recommended to make the most of your purchase.
Nikon Z5 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the Z5.
What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the Nikon Z5?
The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
Which image processing chip is used in the Nikon Z5 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?
Nikon equipped the Z5 with the EXPEED 6 image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Nikon Z5?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 51200, which can be extended to ISO 50-102400.
What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Nikon Z5?
Nikon mentions a shutter rating of 200 000 actuations for the Z5. This number represents a Mean Time before Failure, that is an average value. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust the expected shutter life of the Z5 over, say, three years, one would have to take about 200 pictures each and every day.
How do I find the shutter count on my Nikon Z5?
Nikon embeds the number of shutter actuations in image metadata. You can check the number of shots that your Z5 has taken up to now by uploading a recent image to the free online shutter count finder app.
Is completely silent shooting possible with the Nikon Z5?
The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.
Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Nikon Z5?
No, the Nikon Z5 has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.
Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Nikon Z5?
The Z5 offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.
Does the Nikon Z5 feature an autofocus assist light?
Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.
What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Nikon Z5 for flash photography?
The Z5's flash sync speed is 1/200 sec.
Does the Nikon Z5 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?
Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-II cards, which provide for data transfer speed of up to 312 MB/s, in both of its card slots.
Which battery does the Nikon Z5 use?
The camera gets its power from the Nikon EN-EL15c (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Is there a vertical grip available for the Nikon Z5?
Yes, Nikon offers the MB-N10 as an optional accessory to facilitate shooting in portrait orientation and to provide additional battery power.
Where can I find the best deals for the Nikon Z5?
Grey imports from Asia, as found on ebay, are often very attractively priced. However, these cameras come without a warranty from Nikon.
Further reading
How does the Z5 stack up against available alternatives? In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
Core camera specifications
Here is a list of the main features and technical characteristics of the Nikon Z5.
Camera Model | Nikon Z5 | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | |
Camera Lens | Nikon Z mount lenses | |
Launch Date | July 2020 | |
Launch Price | USD 1 399 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CMOS | |
Sensor Format | Full Frame Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 35.9 x 23.9 mm | |
Sensor Area | 858 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 43.1 mm | |
Crop Factor | 1.0x | |
Sensor Resolution | 24.2 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 6 016 x 4 016 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 5.95 μm | |
Pixel Density | 2.82 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | |
Movie Capability | 4K/30p Video | |
ISO Setting | 100 - 51 200 ISO | |
ISO Boost | 50 - 102 400 ISO | |
Image Processor | EXPEED 6 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.80x | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 3690k dots | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 3.2 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 1040k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Tilting screen | |
V-logging Friendliness | No front-flip | |
Touch Input | Touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | On-Sensor Phase-detect | |
Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 4.5 shutter flaps/s | |
Shutter Life Expectancy | 200 000 actuations | |
Silent Shooting | Electronic Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | Intervalometer Built-in | |
Image Stabilization | In-body stabilization | |
Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Dual card slots | |
UHS card support | Dual UHS-II | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | USB 3.2 | |
HDMI Port | micro HDMI | |
Microphone Port | External MIC port | |
Headphone Socket | Headphone port | |
Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | |
Bluetooth Support | Bluetooth built-in | |
Body Specs | ||
Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | |
Battery Type | Nikon EN-EL15c power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 470 shots per charge | |
In-Camera Charging | USB charging | |
Body Dimensions |
134 x 101 x 67 mm (5.3 x 4.0 x 2.6 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 675 g (23.8 oz) |
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