# Nikon's cheaper Z5 IIC cuts features, not performance

> Nikon's new Z5 IIC drops $450 off the Z5 II's price by removing an electronic viewfinder and halving screen resolution, but keeps the core 24.5-megapixel sensor and in-body stabilization.
- Title: Nikon's cheaper Z5 IIC cuts features, not performance
- Summary: Nikon's new Z5 IIC drops $450 off the Z5 II's price by removing an electronic viewfinder and halving screen resolution, but keeps the core 24.5-megapixel…
- Keywords: nikon, nikon z5 iic, full-frame camera, budget camera, 24.5-megapixel sensor, in-body image stabilization, electronic viewfinder, mechanical shutter, price reduction, technology, culture, Nikon's
- Source: The Verge — https://theverge.com/tech/1000037/nikon-z5-iic-full-frame-digital-camera-ibis-mechanical-shutter
- Author: Andrew Liszewski
- Published: 2026-09-24T14:53:06+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nikon, nikon z5 iic, full-frame camera, budget camera, 24.5-megapixel sensor, in-body image stabilization, electronic viewfinder, mechanical shutter, price reduction, technology, culture
## Nikon cuts $450 from Z5 II
The new Z5 IIC costs $1,399.95 versus the Z5 II's $1,849.95, making full-frame photography more accessible to novice photographers with a refreshed design.
## Same sensor, same stabilization
The Z5 IIC keeps the Z5 II's 24.5-megapixel backside illuminated full-frame sensor and in-body image stabilization, using the same EXPEED 7 image processing engine found in Nikon's higher-end cameras.
## Electronic shutter shoots 30 fps
The camera captures JPEG images at up to 30 frames per second using its electronic shutter, and can pre-capture images for up to a full second before you press the shutter button.
## Mechanical shutter at 15 fps
The Z5 IIC includes a mechanical shutter that shoots up to 15 frames per second in JPEG mode, a feature absent from Canon's comparable $1,899 EOS R8 Mark II.
## No viewfinder, lower screen res
To hit the lower price, Nikon removed the electronic viewfinder and cut the LCD touchscreen resolution in half from 2.1 million to 1.04 million dots.
## Single card slot, no joystick
The Z5 IIC has just one UHS-II SD card slot with no backup storage, and replaces the joystick with a multi-directional controller for adjusting autofocus and navigating menus.
## Key takeaway

Budget full-frame cameras can skip premium conveniences like electronic viewfinders without losing the sensor quality that matters most to photographers.