Nikon Z5 IIC Review: Smaller, Prettier, and Mostly Capable

Nikon released the Z5 IIC in 2025 at $1,399, a smaller, lighter alternative to the Z5 II ($1,849) that removes the electronic viewfinder (EVF) and downgrades the LCD from 2.1M to 1.04M dots. The camera weighs 620 grams (22 ounces) versus the Z5 II's 700 grams (24.7 ounces), features a flat top plate, retains a large grip and custom buttons, but loses the AF joystick and dedicated AF-ON button. It uses the EN-EL15C battery with 350 CIPA-rated shots, a single UHS-II SD card slot, and offers 5-axis IBIS up to 7.5 stops center and 7 stops edge. Autofocus includes subject detection, 3D tracking, and a new Fish Detection mode. Burst speeds are 14 fps JPEG mechanical, 11 fps RAW mechanical, and 30 fps electronic. The 24MP sensor provides solid low-light performance and dynamic range. Video supports oversampled 4K up to 30p full-width, 4K 60p with APS-C crop, N-Log, 10-bit, and N-RAW to SD card, though RAW degrades sharpness and increases noise. Scene Modes debut on a Nikon full-frame camera. The reviewer found the missing EVF frustrating, especially in bright light, and considers the $450 premium for the Z5 II justified for EVF users. However, for LCD-only shooters, the Z5 IIC offers outstanding value, with alternatives including Nikon Z50 II ($999), Panasonic S9 ($1,499), Canon R8, and Sony a7 III. The review was published on PetaPixel on September 23, 2026, with thanks to Jason Vong for shoot assistance.