Nikon has released the Z5IIC, a full-frame mirrorless camera built on the Nikon Z mount that the company says matches the performance of the Z5II. The headline change is a mode dial with scene modes, which Nikon describes as a first for one of its full-frame mirrorless cameras; the dial adjusts color, brightness, and other image settings to suit whichever scene the shooter picks.
The camera also carries a dedicated button for Imaging Recipes made by Nikon and outside creators, so users can shoot photos and video without working through settings themselves. Nikon frames the body as approachable for people picking up a camera for the first time while still offering the advanced shooting functions of the Z5II.
Video is a clear part of the pitch. The Z5IIC records 4K UHD at up to 60 fps and Full HD at up to 120 fps, and it can stream live once connected to a PC over a USB cable. Nikon also lists a REC lamp that shows when recording is active and support for its N-Log profile.
For handheld shooting, Nikon points to an ergonomic grip and image stabilization to cut the camera shake that causes blur, alongside AI-powered autofocus that the company says makes crisp photos and video easier to capture. The top plate has a smooth, streamlined shape that Nikon says slips in and out of a bag easily.
The Z5IIC follows the Z5II, which Nikon released in April 2025 and which the company credits with advanced functions suited to a wide range of shooting situations. Nikon says the new model holds that performance level, and its announcement highlights the scene-mode dial and the Imaging Recipes button.
Nikon's announcement does not disclose a price, a ship date, or launch regions, and it does not say whether the Z5IIC replaces the Z5II or sits alongside it.
