Nikon to launch mirrorless equivalent to D5, according to Japanese newspaper

Nikon D5
Image credit: Nikon

Nikon's newest mirrorless Z system will be welcoming a Nikon D5-level camera, according to Japanese business newspaper.

In an interview with Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Nikon President Toshikazu Umatate stated that a model on the same pegging as the D5 was in the works. 

The article doesn't confirm when such a model will arrive, nor how much it will cost, but with the 2020 summer Olympics in Tokyo just over a year away, Nikon is no doubt keen to give existing D5 users a good reason to stay loyal to the brand.

Such a model would be a natural rival to the Sony A9, which is currently the only full-frame mirrorless camera targeted towards sports and action shooters. That camera recently received a significant firmware update that boosted its AF system, and also gained a new FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS stablemate aimed at sports and wildlife photographers.

The Sony Alpha line recently welcomed the sports-photography-friendly FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS. Image credit: TechRadar

The Sony Alpha line recently welcomed the sports-photography-friendly FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS. Image credit: TechRadar

Currently, Nikon's Z system only has two cameras, the flagship Z7 and the more affordable Z6. Rumors of new additions on either side of these models have been circulating almost since the range was launched, although Nikon hasn't given any official word on what camera bodies will come next – only which lenses are on the cards, via a lens roadmap.

Although the roadmap for these lenses only has one telephoto zoom down for release – the 70-200mm f/2.8 S, arriving later this year – users of Nikon's DSLRs can currently use hundreds of F-mount options via the FTZ adapter. Even so, it's likely that Nikon will look to complement a new high-end Z-series model with new native telephoto options.

The right time

While the Z6 and Z7 are certainly capable of capturing moving subjects, neither model can manage the same kind of continuous focusing performance or burst shooting speeds as the company's D5, which remains the most obvious option in Nikon's portfolio for the sports-oriented pro.

The news of a new high-end Z series camera follows fresh reports of a new mid-range mirrorless model joining the range. Unsurprisingly, Canon is also said to be preparing a new high-end mirrorless companion to the EOS R and EOS RP in its latest EOS R mirrorless line.

Latest in Mirrorless Cameras
Hasselblad X2D 100C camera in user's hand, their blue jacket in background
My dream Hasselblad camera is getting a sequel soon, according to new leaks – here are 5 upgrades I’m hoping for
Sigma BF silver camera in the hand at The Photography Show, UK
I tried the Sigma BF camera everyone is talking about – it's truly stunning, but has one fundamental flaw
Nikon Z5 mirrorless camera on green background with lowest price text overlay
These record-low Nikon Z5 prices suggest the cheap full-frame camera’s Z5 II upgrade could land soon
Panasonic Lumix S1R II alongside Panasonic Lumix S5 II on a split green / orange background
Panasonic Lumix S1R II vs Lumix S5 II: time to upgrade?
Panasonic LUMIX S1RII
Preorder the Panasonic Lumix S1RII and get a free memory card or solid state drive
Panasonic Lumix S1R II mirrorless camera held up to user's eye, 24-70mm lens attached
Flagship Panasonic Lumix S1R II unveiled: here's why the 8K hybrid beats its Sony, Canon and Nikon rivals for video
Latest in News
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #1147)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #378)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #644)
Three iPhone 16 handsets on show
Apple could launch an iPhone 17 Ultra this year – but we've heard these rumors before
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough