The Z5 is a lot like the Z6, but there are subtle changes, as there always are with Nikon between models. Here is the one Custom Setting change between the Z6 and Z5:
- CSM #D6 is missing on the Z5 (Limit selectable image area)
This doesn't make sense to me, as the other "limit selection" option is still present (CSM #A8, Limit AF-area mode selection).
- CSM #A4 adds the Animal detection capability we saw in later firmware releases for the Z6.
- CSM #A7 has the somewhat hidden Out-of-focus release setting, so beware all back button focus fanatics.
- Note that CSM #D2 is still 200, so given that Nikon's buffer is stated at 100 frames, you can still outshoot the buffer, though at 4.5 frames per second, that's going to take you longer than 20 seconds to do so.
- Note that the loss of CSM #D6 means that those of you who are used to shutting off the "live view" aspect of the EVF with CSM #D8 are going to need to adjust to the fact that this function is now CSM #D7 on the Z5. Ugh. An oft-used setting is now different between two cameras you may use together.
- On the i menu options we get a new View Memory Card Info option. Missing is Split-screen display zoom.
- On the button customizations my initial pass on creating a table of what you can set to what seems to have a couple of small changes. I need to verify those and make sure I didn't miss something in Z6/Z7 firmware upgrades or there isn't a toggle that enables something.
- As you might expect, Choose Folder on CSM #F3 became Choose Slot and Folder.
In the SETUP menu we obviously lose the Control Panel Brightness item, as the Z5 doesn't have a Top LCD. There's a new Pixel Mapping function and a new USB Power Delivery item. Also a new Energy Saving menu item. I'm going to have to double check, but the Wireless Transmitter (WT-7) doesn't appear and that item is not listed as an accessory.
Oh, and like the Z6, the Z5 doesn't have the 5:4 aspect ratio for Image Area. Personally, I hate these arbitrary omissions; they show a lack of customer understanding. I'm pretty sure there isn't a survey that says "Z6 users don't want 5:4 but Z7 users do."
For Nikon, that's still not many changes, and most of them are justified by a feature difference between the Z5 and Z6. CSM #D6's removal puzzles me in that regard, though. Why?
