Melville, N.Y. – September 24, 2026 -- Nikon has unveiled the Z5IIC, a full-frame mirrorless camera priced at $1,399.95 for the body alone, aimed squarely at smartphone photographers ready to upgrade without wrestling with manual settings. The camera ships mid-October 2026, with a $1,699.95 kit bundling the NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens, plus additional soft bundles with 26mm f/2.8 and 40mm f/2 pancake lenses through retailers.
Built on the Z5II platform, the Z5IIC drops the viewfinder in favor of a screen-first design, keeping the body compact and users engaged with their surroundings rather than buried behind an eyepiece.
Fifteen scene modes replace manual settings for beginners
The camera marks the first time Scene Modes have appeared in a Nikon full-frame mirrorless model. Fifteen presets -- covering portraits, pets, food, night landscapes and twilight -- automatically adjust color, brightness, white balance and Picture Control so users don't need to master exposure settings manually.
A dedicated button gives instant access to Imaging Recipes, a library that includes presets from Nikon Ambassadors, available via Nikon Imaging Cloud. Deep-learning autofocus detects and tracks people, dogs, cats, birds, vehicles, aircraft and fish, locking onto eyes for sharper results with moving subjects like children or pets.
The sensor delivers the same processing engine as Nikon's flagship cameras
The Z5IIC pairs a 24.5-megapixel full-frame backside-illuminated CMOS sensor with Nikon's EXPEED 7 processing engine -- the same platform used in the company's top-tier cameras. Five-axis in-camera vibration reduction offers up to 7.5 stops of correction, and continuous shooting reaches roughly 14 frames per second, with a High-Speed Frame Capture+ mode hitting up to 30 fps and a Pre-Release Capture function that can save up to one second of footage before the shutter is pressed.
The body weighs 620 grams and comes in two colors
Constructed from magnesium alloy for durability, the Z5IIC weighs 21.9 ounces (620 grams) and is offered in silver or black. Its 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen supports low-angle shots, overhead framing and flips around for vlogging or selfies. Nikon says the body carries dust- and drip-resistance for outdoor use.
Video capabilities include 4K at 60fps and live-streaming support
The camera records 4K UHD at up to 60 fps and Full HD at 120 fps, with 4x and 5x slow-motion options. It supports H.265 10-bit MOV and N-Log recording, N-RAW capture to SD cards, and UVC/UAC connectivity for live streaming via USB. A Product Review Mode automatically shifts focus to items held close to the lens, aimed at creators making review videos.
"The Nikon Z5IIC represents an important step in expanding access to full-frame photography for a new generation of creators," said Fumiko Kawabata, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Planning at Nikon Inc.