Nikon has introduced the Z5 IIC, a streamlined variant of its recently released Z5 II that omits the electronic viewfinder (EVF) to offer a more affordable and portable full-frame experience. Announced on September 24, 2026, the new mirrorless camera retains core features such as internal RAW video recording and a fully articulating screen, positioning it as a strong option for solo creators and vloggers.
By excluding the EVF, Nikon was able to reduce the camera’s size and weight significantly. The Z5 IIC weighs just 537 grams, making it approximately 25% lighter than the 700-gram Z5 II. Despite its compact “C” designation, the body maintains a full-sized grip and a solid set of manual controls, though it does lack the joystick and some buttons found on its sibling. The rear features a 3.2-inch, 1040K-dot touchscreen display that flips out for easy self-framing.
Video capabilities remain robust, supporting 4K recording at 30 fps with full-width supersampling from the 24-megapixel sensor, as well as 4K at 60 fps with a 1.5x crop. Users can capture footage in N-RAW format with N-Log for greater dynamic range, alongside standard H.265 encoding. The camera also includes in-body image stabilization providing up to 7.5 stops of shake reduction, an impressive feature for a budget-friendly body.
Nikon’s subject detection autofocus, originally seen in the Z5 II, is present here as well. It automatically recognizes humans, animals, birds, vehicles, and notably, fish. For photography, the Z5 IIC offers burst shooting at 14 fps with continuous AF or up to 30 fps using an electronic shutter for JPEGs alone. The ISO range extends up to 64,000 for low-light performance.
Additional creator-focused tools include scene modes for portraits, pets, food, and nightscapes, a front-facing REC indicator light, and a “product review” mode that shifts focus between presenter and items. The menu also features “imaging recipes” from cinema camera manufacturer RED, along with waveform monitoring and focus peaking. However, the camera is limited to a single SD UHS II card slot, whereas the Z5 II offers dual slots.
The Nikon Z5 IIC is available for preorder now. The body-only model is priced at $1,400, while a kit bundle including the Z 24-50mm f/4.3-5.3 lens is offered for $1,700. The camera comes in silver and black finishes.
Is ‘C’ just a clever marketing trick to justify the lower price tag, or does the build quality actually feel cheap now?
$1,400 is surprisingly aggressive for true RAW video. The Z5 II felt overpriced by comparison.
Single card slot makes me nervous for professional work. Who buys a full-frame and risks losing all their footage to one failing SD card?
Wait, fish detection? Even on a budget camera? Nikon really didn’t skip anything with this autofocus system.
EVF-free at last! This is exactly what I needed for travel vlogging without the bulk.