The outstanding Nikon Z5 II was our 'camera of the year 2025' - and it's even better with this record-low price today

If there's one camera that we're always happy to recommend to most people, it's the excellent Nikon Z5 II. This camera was one of 2025's most surprising launches - so much so that it earned our camera of the year award.

Right now, it's an even better value, too, as B&H Photo currently has the body listed at just $1,596 (was $1,846), which is a match for the record-low price from Black Friday.

The Z5 II's price has had a pretty wild ride over the past year. It was originally debuted at $1,699, then was hiked up to $1,799 within a few months due to tariffs. A couple of deals reduced it back down to $1,699, but the first 'real deal' on the camera was this same price cut over Black Friday.

Essentially, I see this as a $100 discount on the body itself, but B&H is also throwing in a free SD card and premium camera bag as gifts here, which really makes this a nice overall package.

Today's best Nikon Z5 II deal

• See more: check out all of today's deals at B&H Photo

The best full-frame at this price right now

I had the opportunity to really put the Nikon Z5 II through its paces last year, and I found it a really compelling package overall.

What impressed me the most, aside from the value, is that Nikon has managed to really nail the autofocus performance on a relatively affordable body - something that the brand had really struggled with previously. Now, you get roughly equivalent autofocus with the brand's higher-end models like the Z6 III, Z8, and the ZF.

The Z5 II does lag behind the other models in terms of burst rates (and video specs), but it's a very, very good compromise for most people. If it were my money, I'd probably opt for the Z5 II over the Z6 III simply because I don't need the super-speedy burst rates that the latter's partially stacked sensor provides.