Digital Photography Review Readers Select The Nikon Z5II As Product Of The Year

Written By Robert G Allen Photography

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DPReview just announced the results of their DPReview Reader’s Choice Awards for 2025. And the winner is: The Nikon Z5II! I’m really surprised on this one. This is in addition to winning DPReview’s Gold award based on their review of the camera. Yes, the Z5II is an impressive camera for sure but compared to other brands and other cameras in Nikon’s lineup, it’s not really a standout camera in terms of features or abilities. I think what readers saw in the Z5II is the value for the price. Having Nikon’s latest EXPEED 7 processor and latest auto focusing features carried down from the Z8 and Z9 (albeit not quiet as accurate or fast as the AF found on the flagships) may justify the award. But having taken over 7 thousand photos so far with the Z5II, (by the way, I had no idea I had taken that many photos since I just purchased the camera not too long ago but that’s what my Capture One library says) I can say that overall, I’m pleased with the camera. I even sold my loved Z6II after purchasing the Z5II. It sounds like a step down, going from the Z6II to the Z5II but I do notice a noticeable increase in overall responsiveness, better AF and one thing I need during events, a much faster photo preview after taking a photo. With the Z6II, I had to wait a second or so to if the person blinked or had a poor expression etc… With the Z5II, photo review is just about as fast as the Z8 and Z9.

Here are a couple of photos I have taken so far with the Nikon Z5II:

Nikon Z5II with the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens

Nikon Z5II with the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens

Nikon Z5II with the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens

Nikon Z5II with the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens

Nikon Z5II with the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens

Nikon Z5II with the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens

Nikon Z5II with the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens

Nikon Z5II with the NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens

Nikon Z5II with the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens

Nikon Z5II with the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S lens

In the comments below, let me know if you think the Z5II is worthy of such an award. To see more sample photos from the Nikon Z5II, visit here

To check out the DPReview article, go to: https://www.dpreview.com/articles/5935478172/dpreview-readers-choice-awards-2025-product-of-the-year

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Robert G Allen Photography

Welcome to Robert G Allen Photography. I'm a professional multi-disciplinary commercial freelance photographer based in the Pacific Northwest and a Nikon DSLR Enthusiast.

While my career has primarily been as an event photographer, this website represents other areas of photography for which I have professional competency and enjoyment. The resulting front page gallery and single subject galleries are the result of a combination of client assignments and personal areas of interest.

https://www.RobertAllen-Photography.com
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