First things first. The Nikon ZR is US$2200, the Z5IIC is US$1500. Of course there are going to be differences. The real question is whether or not those differences are worth the price differential. Everyone will have their own opinion on that, but here’s my analysis:
In the ZR’s favor:
- An exceptional Rear LCD. Bright, big, larger Color Space, well designed for touch, and unmatched by anything else on the market.
- A simpler approach. The control simplification almost works perfectly (the missing element is focus control, e.g. what do you do about AF-ON?).
- A very useful (programmable) lever around the shutter release. This didn’t fully catch my attention until I started really using a ZR full out.
- No mechanical shutter. Some might not agree with this assertion, but I prefer less mechanics in a camera. It makes it more reliable in the tough conditions I often photograph in.
- More U# modes. Four. Two better than the Z5IIC.
- Less rolling shutter. You probably won’t see this unless you use Pre-release capture. But it’s there, and better.
- Dual card slots. No, they’re not optimal (CFexpress plus microSD), but for those nervous about losing images, you have some backup.
- Far better video and audio. Most of you probably would dismiss this bit, but it’s there if you need it.
- No clicky strap attachments. The strap attach points are carved out of the body and don’t have dangly things that make annoying sounds at times you probably don’t want to attract attention.
In the Z5IIC’s favor:
- Price. Yes, I have to put that first, because US$700 means you pay almost 30% less. If the other factors that favor the ZR don’t win you over, this factor for the Z5IIC will.
- A real hand grip. You can one-hand a Z5IIC where that’s not possible without an added grip on the ZR (at least not reliably). Functionally, you’ll likely have more support stability with a Z5IIC, all else equal.
- More (customizable) controls. Dual function buttons on the front, an AE-L/AF-L button on the back really open up direct control in a way that’s a little more problematic on the ZR. You also get dedicated Picture Control, Frame Rate, Delete, ISO, and DISP buttons the ZR doesn’t have. More direct control, better customization.
- Things are where you expect them. This is related to the controls: they also don’t really move from where you learned they would be from other Nikon cameras.
- A mechanical shutter. Yes, I know the lack of one was a ZR trait, but if you start moving into action photos, the Z5IIC can avoid the rolling shutter impacts with fast motion. Of course, it’s not silent and will eventually wear out.
I happen to like the ZR for photography-by-Rear-LCD photography. A lot. However, the one thing that I struggle with is Back Button Focus, as there is no back button to program, and the button I’d most want to use in its place (REC on the front of the camera) can’t be programmed to AF-ON. I’ve been lobbying Nikon to bring that customization to the ZR, which would remove my primary complaint.
I also happen to like the size and ability of the Z5IIC. I mean, the Z5II is a really solid camera. Does removing the EVF really make it less so? My primary complaint here is that I would have appreciated a better Rear LCD, since I’m so reliant upon it with the Z5IIC. A little brighter, and either more resolution or somewhat larger size would fix this. But these are physical things, so I can’t really lobby Nikon to correct them.