Nikon Z5 hits $529, S9 new low: 5 deals (May 28)
Nikon Z5 breaks floor again to $529 — a cumulative $150 drop in three days, now 47% off MSRP and the cheapest full-frame mirrorless at any US credentialed dealer. Panasonic S9 hits a new 6-month low at $1,019 (32% off), and the S 20-60mm kit zoom collapses to $159 on a 77-unit inventory surge (73% off MSRP). Sony A7R V holds its 6-month low at $2,429 on A7R VI preorder pressure. Canon EF 24-70/2.8L II holds at $514 for a second day — grade still unverified, with a clear flag to inspect the SKU before ordering.
System weather: Nikon Z leads the week's declines
Nikon Z is the system with the most downward movement this week. The Z5 has shed $150 in three consecutive days — $679 on May 25, $619 on May 27, $529 today — with 31 units on MPB and no sign of inventory thinning. 1 The Z6 III also hit a new tracking low today at $1,859, down $30 from $1,889. 2
Fujifilm X and Canon RF are both recovering. The X-T5's $1,439 bottom — a 6-month low yesterday — bounced $50 to $1,489 as the cheapest units cleared. 3 The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM's three-day run below $1,000 ended; it reversed to $984. 4
On the Panasonic L side, the S9 hit a new 6-month low at $1,019, and the 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 kit zoom collapsed to $159 with 77 units in stock — the best single lens deal on the board today.
Today's 5 picks
| # | Item | Price | Grade | Units | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nikon Z5 | $529 | MPB (unconfirmed at floor) | 31 | High confidence buy |
| 2 | Panasonic Lumix DC-S9 | $1,019 | MPB (floor unit grade unconfirmed) | 17 | High confidence buy |
| 3 | Sony Alpha A7R V | $2,429 | MPB Excellent / Like New | 106 | High confidence buy |
| 4 | Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 | $159 | MPB (floor unit grade unconfirmed) | 77 | Buy — confirm grade before ordering |
| 5 | Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM | $514 | MPB (grade UNVERIFIED) | 31 | Conditional buy — verify grade first |
1. Nikon Z5 — $529 at MPB
6-month range: $529–$749 current listing; prior floor was $679, which held four days before breaking to $619 on May 27, then $529 today. Cumulative drop: $150 in three days. 1
Why it's low now: Thirty-one units on MPB with three more arriving than selling each day. The Z5 (24.3MP full-frame Z-mount, dual UHS-II SD slots, 5-axis IBIS) launched at $999 in 2020. At $529, it is 47% off MSRP and the cheapest full-frame mirrorless body at any credentialed US dealer right now — a gap that exists because Nikon's Z system has matured and Z5 trade-ins are outpacing demand for a six-year-old entry-level body.
Shutter count: The $529 floor unit is beyond the first page of MPB's listing (sorted high-to-low by default) and its condition and actuation count are not visible from the product page header. On May 27, the comparable $619 floor unit was SKU 3852908 (Good grade, 3,273 actuations — 1.6% of the Z5's 200,000-actuation rated lifespan). The $529 unit likely follows a similar profile, but you need to confirm grade and count directly on the specific SKU page before ordering.
Red flags: No batch defects or recalls at any Z5 serial range. FTZ II adapter ($99–$150 new) brings full electronic communication for AF-S and AF-P Nikkor glass.
Pull trigger or wait: High confidence buy. Three consecutive floor breaks with inventory growing is not consolidation — it is a trend. $529 is the right price for a six-year-old entry-level full-frame, and it represents a genuine 6-month low backed by 31 units and real daily sell-through data.
If you're in Nikon Z: The Nikon Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 is currently at $179–$199 on MPB with 10+ units. 5 Z5 body at $529 plus the Z 40mm f/2 at $179 totals $708 — a full-frame mirrorless kit with a compact standard prime for less than most used APS-C kits.
2. Panasonic Lumix DC-S9 — $1,019 at MPB
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6-month range: $1,019–$1,089 currently, down $40 from the May 27 checkpoint of $1,059. New 6-month low. 6
Why it's low now: The S9 (Panasonic's compact 24.2MP full-frame body with L-mount, 4K 60p, Real-Time LUT support, and no mechanical shutter) has been sliding alongside the broader L-mount correction. At $1,019, it is 32% off its $1,499 MSRP. Seventeen units in stock, and the price dropped even as one unit sold — a new, cheaper unit entered inventory, which is the pattern that precedes further floor breaks.
Shutter count: The S9 is an electronic-shutter-only body with no mechanical shutter mechanism; shutter count is not applicable in the same way as it is for bodies with mechanical shutters. There is no actuation wear to measure.
Grade note: MPB's S9 product page does not render individual unit listings — only the aggregate price range ($1,019–$1,089) and unit count (17) are available. The floor unit's exact grade (Good, Excellent, or Like New) is not confirmed. Inspect the individual SKU page before ordering.
Red flags: No model-level defects. The S9's electronic-shutter-only design means no rolling shutter banding under some lighting conditions — a tradeoff to review if you shoot under fluorescent or LED stage lighting. Otherwise clean model history.
Pull trigger or wait: High confidence buy at the right grade. At $1,019, the S9 is the best-value entry into L-mount. Its compact size, phase-detect AF, and video features (including built-in LUT support) are differentiated from the older S5 II and S1R at this price point. Confirm grade, then move.
If you're building L-mount: The Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 is at $159 today — pick 4 below. S9 body at $1,019 plus the 20-60mm at $159 = $1,178 total, under the price of a new S9 body alone.
3. Sony Alpha A7R V — $2,429 at MPB
6-month range: $2,429–$2,729. Today's $2,429 holds the 6-month floor established on May 27. 7
Why it's low now: The Sony Alpha A7R VI (Sony's successor to the A7R V) opened for preorders, and A7R V trade-ins are compressing the used market. At 106 units on MPB — up 3 from yesterday — supply is not tightening. The A7R V (61MP BSI CMOS, AI autofocus, 8-stop IBIS, 8K video capture) is 31% off its $3,499 MSRP at this price.
Shutter count: The visible units on MPB's listing (Like New tier, $2,719–$2,729) show counts from 2,999 to 8,613 actuations. One confirmed Excellent unit (SKU 3465994) at $2,709 carried 8,980 actuations. 7 The A7R V's mechanical shutter is rated for 500,000 actuations — these counts represent under 2% of rated life. The $2,429 floor unit is not visible in the default sort, so request its count before ordering.
Red flags: No model-level defects or recalls at any A7R V serial range.
Pull trigger or wait: High confidence buy. The $2,429 floor has now held two consecutive days with 106 units and no price pressure upward. The A7R VI catalyst is structural, not seasonal, meaning the downward pressure on A7R V pricing is more likely to persist than to reverse. A7R IV users who have been watching the V stay above $2,500 are at their entry window.
If you're in Sony E: Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 at $142 on MPB (10+ units, unchanged) is the lightest and cheapest native FE pairing for a 61MP body. 8 A7R V at $2,429 plus FE 50/1.8 at $142 = $2,571 for a 61MP full-frame kit.
4. Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 — $159 at MPB
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6-month range: $159–$254 currently. Floor dropped $55 (–25.7%) from the May 27 checkpoint of $214. New 6-month low. 9
Why it's low now: Inventory exploded from 10+ units on May 27 to 77 units today — a sevenfold jump that means MPB processed a large batch of trade-ins overnight. With 77 units and a collapsed floor price, this is a buyer's market. The 20-60mm (fluorine-coated front element, stepping motor for silent AF, weather-sealed, L-mount, MSRP $597) lands at 73% off retail at $159.
Grade note: The 8 visible units on MPB's default sort (highest price first) are all Like New at $254. The $159 floor unit is beyond page one and its grade is unconfirmed. The price spread from $159 to $254 suggests mixed grades; the $159 unit may be MPB Good or Well Used. Verify the individual SKU's condition description and the front element coating before ordering.
Shutter count: Not applicable — lens.
Red flags: No model-level optical defects. Inspect the front fluorine coating and the zoom action in the condition notes.
Pull trigger or wait: Buy — confirm grade before ordering. At $159, even an MPB Good copy of this lens (cosmetic marks, optically functional) is priced correctly. The 77-unit inventory means no urgency to rush before confirming your SKU. This is the best current pairing lens for any L-mount body: wide enough for video, long enough for portraits, weather-sealed, and genuinely cheap.
For any L-mount system: Pairs directly with the S9 ($1,019, pick 2) or the S1R ($1,339, three units remaining on MPB) 10.
5. Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM — $514 at MPB
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6-month range: $514–$1,559 (current listing). The $514 floor is $225 below this lens's pre-delisting floor of $739 as of May 23. Now holding at $514 for a second consecutive day. 11
Why it's low now: Same batch-restock pattern as on May 27. MPB delisted this lens between May 23–25 and relisted with 31 units at a floor $225 lower than where it had been trading. The wide price spread ($514–$1,559) tells you the pool contains multiple grades. One unit sold yesterday (32→31), so the floor is moving — slowly.
Grade — ⚠️ UNVERIFIED: The $514 unit is beyond the first page of MPB results (the 8 visible units are all $1,369–$1,559 Excellent or Like New). Its condition grade (Good vs. Excellent) cannot be confirmed from the product page header alone. Do not order without pulling up the specific SKU page and reading the condition description. If it is MPB Good (cosmetic wear, optically functional), $514 is correct pricing for that grade. If it is Excellent, it is an exceptional buy.
Shutter count: Not applicable — lens.
Red flags: No model-level decentering issues with the Mark II. With any fast standard zoom that has seen professional event or wedding use, confirm zoom/focus ring action and check rear element for coating wear in the condition notes.
Pull trigger or wait: Conditional high confidence buy — grade must be verified first. The EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM (L-mount weather sealing, no IS, 82mm filter thread) is Canon's professional standard zoom, and $514 from a credentialed dealer is a price it has not hit in this cycle. It mounts natively on EF bodies (5D IV, 6D II, 90D) and on RF bodies (R5, R6, R3) via the Canon EF-EOS R adapter. Confirm your specific unit's grade before ordering.
If you're in Canon EF or RF: The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM reversed to $984 today after three days below $1,000, but at 97 units it is not scarce. 4 For RF shooters who need native IS, this remains the best-value RF L zoom — just no longer under $1,000.
Cover image: Panasonic Lumix DC-S9 product listing on MPB
References
- 1MPB: Used Nikon Z5
mpb.com
- 2MPB: Used Nikon Z6 III
mpb.com
- 3MPB: Used Fujifilm X-T5
mpb.com
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- 5
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- 7MPB: Used Sony Alpha A7R V
mpb.com
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