Nikon has introduced the Z5IIC, a compact, stripped-back full-frame mirrorless camera designed for newcomers and content creators, featuring key specs of the Z5 II but with a lighter build and simplified controls, set to launch in October 2026.
Nikon has unveiled the Z5IIC, a stripped-back full-frame mirrorless camera that keeps the core imaging hardware of the Z5 II but wraps it in a smaller, lighter body aimed at first-time buyers and content creators. The new model retains the 24.5-megapixel full-frame sensor, EXPEED 7 processor and in-body stabilisation, but Nikon has removed the electronic viewfinder to cut bulk and simplify the design. According to Nikon’s announcement, the camera is due to reach the market in mid-October 2026 at a suggested price of US$1,399.95 for the body only, or US$1,699.95 with the NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens.
That omission of the EVF is the most obvious difference from the Z5 II, and it helps explain the Z5IIC’s 537g weight, which is well below the 700g quoted for the larger model. The camera also has a more compact chassis with a full-sized grip, a single SD UHS-II card slot instead of two, and fewer external controls, including the loss of the AF joystick. Nikon has kept a 3.2-inch fully articulating touchscreen, although its 1.04-million-dot resolution is lower than the panel fitted to the Z5 II.
Nikon has still left enough manual control for users who want to move beyond automatic operation. The Z5IIC includes a revised top plate with a tally lamp for video recording, and it is offered in black or a silver-and-black finish. The company is clearly positioning it as a camera that lowers the barrier to entry without fully abandoning enthusiast features, even if the specification sheet is leaner than the more expensive sibling.
On the imaging side, Nikon says the Z5IIC keeps the same 7.5-stop in-body image stabilisation and subject-detection autofocus system as the Z5 II. The camera can shoot at up to 15 frames per second with its mechanical shutter, or up to 30fps for JPEGs using the electronic shutter, and it supports Pre-Release Capture for recording images before the shutter button is fully pressed. Autofocus detection extends to people, animals, birds, vehicles and fish, with Nikon saying the fish mode is intended for aquarium subjects. The expanded ISO range reaches 64,000, which should help in low-light scenes.
Video remains a notable part of the pitch. According to Nikon, the Z5IIC records 4K at 30fps across the full width of the sensor, while 4K at 60fps is available with a 1.5x crop and 1080p goes up to 120fps. It can also record 10-bit H.265, Nikon N-Log and N-RAW directly to SD card, a set of options that gives the camera unusual flexibility at this level. Nikon has added a dedicated product review mode, waveform display, focus peaking and zebra patterns, alongside 15 Scene Modes, Imaging Recipes support through Nikon Imaging Cloud and a film grain function. Nikon Malaysia has not yet announced local pricing or availability, but the company has already begun promoting the camera on its regional channels, suggesting a Malaysian launch is likely to follow.
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