The Z5 does have eye focus, but it is really nonintuitive how you enable it. The Z6II is very easy to enable eye focus.

Been using the Z5 for about 9 mos. It does have eye autofocus and in the menu setting you can also select animal eye detection. I have had an issue once with switching between viewfinder and lcd but I think it was more user error of hitting the button. Haven’t had issues since.

Hello, and thanks for your video. I believe I can resolve your viewfinder/ screen etc. problem. Easily. Not sure if anyone else has weighed in on this, but it turns out to be simple. Read on.... I had exactly the same with my Z7, after only a few hundred shots. It's a known problem that Nikon will not acknowledge..... I tried everything - firmware updates, Nikon forums, Nikon Service Department (useless on this!), camera shop (again, useless) etc. THEN I found somebody online who said "clean the sensor". NOT the camera's sensor, but the tiny one above the viewfinder. Even the tiniest specks of grit or dirt will cause it. I cleaned my viewfinder sensor, and hey presto! Problem solved. I suggest you try it. Worked instantly for me, but I was so annoyed that I decided to sell the Z7 !

Like others have said, Z5 does have eye detect in settings. Also I have had one for 2 years and never had the issue you describe of not switching back from eye piece to back screen when I take my eye away from they eyepiece. That is definitely a fault with your camera and yes, it would be very frustrating. Thanks for the review, very useful. Still happy with my z5, one day I will probably make the jump to higher spec, but no hurry.

I got my Z5 for Christmas last year. I love it. I put it on silent mode and I couldn't hear anything so at first I didn't realize I was taking pictures and I thought why is this not working. I actually took about a dozen photos. LOL I took it off silent mode. LOL

Eye AF has been a feature on my Z5 for almost as long as the 3 years that I have been owning it. I use it for shoots for media publications in NYC, and I love it. I also shoot Sony APSC, but the Nikon seems to produce raw files that look nicer with less editing. The Z6ii may be faster and have slightly less noise, but I really see little need for it. My only issue is when I shoot video with the 24-70 that gets rolling shutter or wobble when I pan in video. but it could be an issue of the IBIS. The 24-70 f4 is really a great sharp lens. and also the 24-200 VR it came with. The 24-200 is a lightweight do it all for outdoor casual photos. But I use it mostly with the 40mm f2 (i also have the 50mm f1,8) for environmental portraits. The AF is not as good as Sony, but I have no complaints. there is a Z6iii coming out in the spring. But I feel you have been a bit too harsh on the Z5. Digital cameras are complex and some features are nested deep down in the menu. I do not see why the Z5 would not be great for a wedding, once you set it right. I understand for fast action sports a Z6ii or a Sony A6700 would be a better tool. But I have no complaints with the Z5's autofocus, AF tracking activated with the front button, auto ISO and ISO, fast video mode switch, quiet shutter sound. well structured menu. I would like a zone area AF like with Sony cameras, and the other Sony feature to create automatically a new folder on the SD card for the day of the shoot with the filename in date format. That speeds up the process. I have been trying a Fuji XT30ii for casual photos, but I find the Nikon AF and menu system more advanced than Fujifilm's. I think Nikon started late, but it is offering solid lenses and cameras. The EVF switch thing happens also with Sony cameras, when dust or lint accumulate on the proximity sensor. Just clean it with a Q tip, and you are good to go

I also have the z6ii and z5 setup for weddings. From what I understand (unless I need to update firmware also) is that z6ii has eye autofocus in the small and large area boxes, where z5 I thought was only in the full screen. However seeing the comments I need to check my firmware. As for the viewfinder issue, have you taken off the eye cup and tried to clean the viewfinder sensor? That was my issue. As soon as I gave that a good clean it worked perfectly.

Yep, I’m on firmware 1.41 and my Z5 has eye detection. Also I don’t experience the auto switch issue fromEVF to main display so I think it’s that camera or a missing firmware update. Thank you for the video. I’m considering a second body but am not sure about a second Z5 or picking up a Z6ii to become the main body.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I am toggling between going with a standard original Z6 or Z6 Mark ii. I really think there is a difference of image quality in the original Z6 and I friggin' Love it. There is a slight noticeable difference to my eye. 📷💯

That D750 sensor has tons of years left in it. Good choice.

Thanks for your review and I had a Z5 when they first came out and loved it. I also had a Z50 which I use as my family/ vacation camera. I love the size and weight of it. I have since upgraded the Z5 to a Z6II and as good as the Z5 is the Z6II is truly a better camera. Dual Processors make everything faster and the Backlight sensor is also better in low light hi ISO scenarios. That being said I often compare the Z5 as the mirrorless version of my D750. I really think that it most resembles the D750 in every way other than the better focus capabilities of the Nikon mirrorless Z cameras. I work in a camera store and have seen many customers over time come in with the same viewfinder switching issue. There is sometimes a little dust or dirt on the little sensor on the viewfinder or even the rubber eyepiece cover has shifted slightly enough to block the sensor. If you find that's not the case then you might have a faulty camera.

I have the same automatic display switch issue on my Z6ii. I had to remove the re-glue the eye cup because the rubber kept ever so slightly blocking the sensor and keeping it in viewfinder mode

The shutter sound you're talking about on the Z5 sounds like it's because you are in full mechanical shutter as opposed to the rear shutter only. It's a setting you can change.

Bought one as a second body (at $1k, it's not much), but ended up shooting two bodies, 35/85, which was infinitely better than single body and swapping lenses. But that's when having two of the same body makes more sense; same camera/layout, same performance/results, making the Z5 a third/backup body that stays in the bag for emergencies only. While it's mostly been a carry much, use little secondary camera, I've seen enough great results with the Z5 from other users to say it's completely capable, just not something you're likely to use if you have more capable bodies on hand when needed. The auto EVF/LCD function on your Z5 isn't working correctly. Reflash the firmware (?) or Nikon Service while it's still under warranty. Went back to single body with the Z9 for most photography, partly because it weighs as much as two Z6 bodies, but also because the EL-18D battery lasts longer than two EL-15C batteries (full day shooting, no problem). I won't be going back to anything less for anything that matters.

the delay in the viewfinder monitor switch might be because the sensor has dust or lint in front of it. Try cleaning it. It might fix the problem.

Did you update it? It has new things that are great 1.41 update is out! Please do another review after updating 🙏🏻

In the two years of owning my Z5 I haven't noticed any issue with the auto LCD/EVF. Oh and there is animal eye detect as well as human eye detect.

The EVF issue is caused by dirt in the eye sensor most of the time. This actually happens on the Z5/Z6/Z7 and is quite common. The z8 and zf are better about this (don't know why). But my Z6 II would do the same thing, as well as my Z7's (I've had the original and now the Z7 II). The gen 2 bodies are a little better with the eye sensor (less sensitive) but I don't think the issue is specific to the Z5. I've had about 2 Z5's now (first one I changed my mind and returned, and then a year later, bought it again as a cheap backup when it went on sale for $999 last year). both were about the same as my Z6 and Z7 cameras in terms of the EVF issue (maybe slightly better than the gen 1 Z bodies, but slightly worse than the gen 2 bodies, but nothng that bothers me really personally). The gen 1 Z's were quite bad in this regard. I had to hold the camera at least 6 inches from my face for it not to switch back and forth, that's how bad it was on mine. But all in all, as a backup FF camera, the Z5 (especailly when on sale, like it is now) is a heck of a deal for a still camera or even a first/entry level FF camera, which really has a lot of features. Obviously it's not as fast as say the Zf or even the Z II bodies, but you do get a lot for what you're paying for (and it blows it's closest competitor -- the Canon RP -- out of the water on many levels, all except maybe auto focus which is where the Z5 does still fall short against the competition and even it's more expensive siblings).

What firmware do you have on your Z5? Mine does have eye auto focus for people and animals and the EVF switches fine from screen and back without any noticeable problem. That said, I am not a professional photographer; so my idea of noticeable might be a bit different from someone who needs to make a living from the camera.

The Z5 does have eye autofocus. Maybe you just need to update your firmware.

Reason i got the Z5 vs the Z6II was the dual card slot. I hate CF cards and was already using dual SD's w my previous Fuji setup so its a win win for me 😁. So far, I love it and it's perfect for my needs. I paired it with a 24-120 f4. Checking out the 35 or 50 1.8 for my prime purchase

Do you find that the quality of the image when taken with the DX crop mode is better than if you would have taken it in FX and cropped in? :) Also own a Z5 and thought there was no real difference, thanks! :)

Your cameras might be going into sleep mode? There might be a setting to change sleep mode so the switch too EVF to LCD is seemless?

Re your adverse comments on the Z5 1. The Z5 has both eye and face detection. Take a look at the KZfaq video by Scott J Waldron on how to get the best from your Z5 for eye and face detection. 2. The silent setting on my Z5 is completely silent 3. I have no issues with the auto switching between viewfinder and LCD screen You would not expect It to fully match all the capabilities of the Z6ii but I think you should correct your video as you are giving a wrong impression of the Z5

I have had my Z5 since January and have not had the LCD vs View Finder issue. I love it is a great camera.

Hii and thank you for your video. I am using a Z5 since 2 years ago and want to buy a Z6II as my main camera and leave the z5 as second one. I want to know from your experience, how does it work in low light focusing the z6II in opposite to z5?

I bought and tried the Z5 for about a week. The one issue I found was its ability to focus in low light was painfully slow or would fail outright. For enjoying night photography, it was a deal breaker. I later bought a Z6ii and it worked like a charm in low light. As for the seeming-hesitancy and delay with the LCD coming on, I had a spell when I'd recently bought my Z6ii and I couldn't get the EVF and or LCD to come on. After much googling to find an explanation, i tried cleaning the glass of the EVF (near my eye). There was a little bit of lint on it. Once cleaned, it worked as expected. So, it seems just a little bit of lint can throw off the proximity sensor inside the camera that switches it back and forth. More weird though, is that it never happened again, even though at times the glass of the EVF seemed quite grubby. So, not sure what to make of all that.

According to the Nikon Z5 User Manual... and…

Hey! I currently have a D3400 and I'm looking to upgrade. Would you highly recommend the Z5?

The Nikon Z5 silent photography mode is entirely quiet when turned on.

isn't the eye autofocus added in firmware to the Z5?

I have no problems with the viewfinder. Do you have the 1.4 update?

I do use the Nikon Straps, All of them.... it's a matter of pride!!!!!

The Z5 does have eye AF. Update your firmware and review the AF mode options.

Great video

I sometimes have trouble getting the LCD/viewfinder automation working, but I usually tap the back of the viewfinder, and then it switches. I'm not sure if it is just an issue with how the rubber eyecup fits on the viewfinder or something else, but I suspect it is just an issue of it thinking your eye is up to the viewfinder if there is too much shadow in the environment you are shooting in.

you probably have a dirty sensor (near the viewfinder).

La Z5 sigue siendo la mejor mirrorless de Nikon por precio-prestaciones y resultados. Su actualización más importante le agregó un veloz enfoque al ojo en video.

I have z5 more then 1 year. Never had issue switching beetwen lcd and viewfinder.. Contact service centre ..

the Z5 is a very capable camera

Nikon raw weak processing on Lightroom. I'm facing this colour issue with the D750 and Z5 & Z50. Nikon must work for that. overall best camera for portrait Photography.

Why Z5 and not Z6I?

Excellent video 😊!

From your experience, would you buy a new z5 for $999 or a used z6ii for $1400? I would like to make this hobby a career one day or just a side job to earn some cash.

now do another review after you updated the firmware

If I was still shooting events i would have definitely gone for another z6 simply for familiaritys sake. I like the Z5 a lot for my mostly tripod based shooting now but if i had to run and gun I would think more than twice about it.

Update firmware. It works.

Z8.... all the way. Z6 backup.

Oh, my! I can imagine irritation of someone who installed the movement sensor in the room for the light to go on every time you walk into it...and it DOESN'T WORK ALL THE TIME! What a bugger! 😆😆😆😆😆 To be having to use manual switch all the time! Such a bloody nuisance, isn't it? 😆😆😆😆 I can only imagine how "irritating" it was for photographers to work with old cameras where one had to use a lever to pull the film to the next frame, cocking up the shutter mechanism at the same time.

Yes, your being a bit naughty 😂😂😂 ... still hanging on to the D600 (if it's the D610 or D750 I can understand) regarding eye af it's supposed to be available, depending on your settings for af, I think you need to be on af-c and on auto-are af (people) - I believe it only works on those af settings. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/osmio8iUl57VeqM.htmlfeature=shared

JESUS H CHRIST! You talk for 5 minutes before you even get to anything!

You Reviewed the Z5 (which I own as well as a Z6II) .... AS I SAID you MADE MANY, MANY ,MANY "MISTAKES" in what the camera is capable of doing.... Sadly people may listen to you and get the wrong Idea of what you were talking about ,,, BECAUSE YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW THE CAMERA WORKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ouch Girl .... Maybe You need to figure out whats up with Cameras BEFORE You speak... You have made many, many, many, mistakes in this video.. Many of which may give people the wrong understanding about especially Nikon equipment....I do not want to be rude BUT ,, NOT GOOD!!!!! PLEASE STOP TALKING ABOUT NIKON AS YOU WILL GIVE PEOPLE THE WRONG UNDERSTANDING !!!!! SORRY BUT THE TRUTH HURTS SOMETIMES :( :( :(