Nova M5 Mirrorless Camera Review

The Nova M5 is the first full-frame mirrorless camera from Nova with an on-sensor phase-detection autofocus (PDAF) system of full coverage. Positioned in the professional mid-range segment, it competes with the Sony A7 IV and the Nikon Z6 III with a proposal that prioritizes versatility for creators producing both video and photos. We tested the camera over five days of mixed production, including product shoots, interview videos, and event coverage.

Photo: Autofocus and Image Quality

The 33 MP BSI CMOS sensor delivers RAW files with excellent exposure latitude — we recovered up to 5 stops in shadows and 3 stops in highlights without visible artifacts during processing. Phase-detection autofocus covers 90% of the frame and tracked moving subjects with high reliability under adequate lighting conditions. In scenes below 1 EV of illumination, the AF had occasional hesitations, especially with low-contrast subjects.

Eye-AF worked accurately for humans and domestic animals — a feature that was previously exclusive to established Japanese brand systems. The 10 FPS burst shooting mode is adequate for event coverage without requiring massive card storage, with a buffer for 80 consecutive RAWs before slowing down.

Video and Verdict

The standout for creators is the internal 6K RAW 10-bit LOG video, with well-controlled rolling shutter thanks to a sensor readout 1.6x faster than the previous generation. Heating during long recordings limited continuous sessions to approximately 28 minutes in a 28°C environment — a real limitation for long interviews. The Nova M5 is a complete camera for creators who need photo and video quality in one body, with caveats for those doing very long recordings without pauses.