It’s been nearly a week since the launch of the Z5II, and I was lucky enough to be among the first to get my hands on it. Let me tell you—this camera has exceeded my expectations in the best possible way.
Now, I won’t dive too deep into the specs, but when it comes to performance, the upgrades over the Z5 are undeniable. Whether it’s burst shooting, autofocus, or image stabilization, this camera brings significant improvements that truly elevate its capabilities.
The burst shooting speed is leaps and bounds ahead of the previous model, almost matching the renowned ZF. The autofocus? Quiet, lightning-fast, and razor-sharp. It locks onto subjects with precision that feels almost supernatural. To test it, I ventured into low-light conditions where I could barely discern the outline of a person—and yet, the Z5II nailed focus on the very first try. Impressive, right?
On the topic of image stabilization, this feature shines brightly. At 1/5 second, I can shoot handheld without any noticeable blur. Even at 1/2 second, there’s only minimal blurring, proving just how steady the system is.
Design-wise, the Z5II carries forward the legacy of its predecessor, maintaining a lightweight build and an ergonomic grip that feels comfortable during extended use. However, users with larger hands might find their pinky fingers slightly unsupported, which could prompt the need for accessories like a cage or quick-release plate to enhance stability.
The flip screen has received a welcome upgrade, now mirroring the functionality of the ZF. When shooting vertically, the display interface automatically adjusts to a vertical orientation—a thoughtful touch that streamlines the creative process. Additionally, a new shortcut key for filters has been added to the top of the camera, enabling seamless integration with Cloud Creative.
The settings menu now offers three levels of skin smoothing along with customizable character presets, making portrait photography more intuitive and allowing for polished final images straight out of the camera.
But here’s what blew me away most: the integration with Cloud Creative. As someone who previously used the ZF (and let me tell you, I was green with envy for a few days, even contemplating a switch), I’m thrilled to see that the ZF recently received a 2.0 firmware update, bringing it into the Cloud Creative fold as well. 😊
While setting up Cloud Creative initially felt a bit cumbersome—requiring some back-and-forth between the phone and the camera—once configured, it becomes incredibly convenient. Simply select your favorite filter on your phone, import it with a single click, and sync it directly to the camera. Along the way, I stumbled upon a treasure trove of presets crafted by experienced photographers, spanning everything from street photography to stunning portraits.
By combining these filters with the camera’s skin-smoothing features, achieving professional-quality results has never been easier.
In my next post, I’ll be sharing some real-life portrait shots taken with the Z5II. Be sure to stay tuned! 😏
Zachary Ruiz 
Miles Holt 
Paul Miller