Nikon D5
Announced January 6, 2016
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Nikon D5 is a robust professional workhorse that delivers legendary autofocus speed and class-leading high ISO performance for demanding action photography. That said, its bulky, heavy design and significant limitations in 4K video recording make it a specialized tool rather than an all-purpose camera for every user.
Weighted from 29 reviewer scores
Pros
- Best-in-class autofocus system with 153 points and reliable subject tracking
- Exceptional high ISO performance and clean image quality in low light
- Extremely durable, weather-sealed build quality
- Fast 12fps continuous shooting with large buffer capacity
- Outstanding battery life
Cons
- Limited 3-minute 4K video recording time and poor video autofocus
- Large, heavy, and bulky body design
- Lack of built-in Wi-Fi or GPS connectivity
- High price point
- Limited touch screen functionality in menu navigation
- Launch price $6,496.95 (USD)
- Sensor 20.8MP Full-Frame CMOS
- Video 4K 30p
- Burst 12 fps mechanical
What the Reviewers Say
All 29 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- DPReview 89/100
The Nikon D5 represents a more remarkable upgrade to the D4S than its appearance suggests.
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We put Nikon’s latest flagship camera, the D5, through its paces and came away very impressed. The Nikon D5 is designed to excel as a professional workhorse, and it shows in every aspect of the camera.
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The D5 is a wonderful DSLR and, as long as you don’t need the mega-resolution of the D810, you will likely be overjoyed with all you can do with the D5.
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The Nikon D5 can produce beautiful imagery but is let down by a limited 3 minutes per clip recording time in 4K (UHD), alongside ergonomics and functionality that would frustrate any user who would expect smooth & direct access to some of the camera features.
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The camera is fantastic in almost every way. The drive speed, build quality and ISO performance are legendary and currently market-leading.
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The D5 is a winner for me. It’s not a perfect camera by any means, but the reality is the vast majority of images I work with day to day require reliable auto focus and clean ISO at crazy high levels… on those two metrics the D5 is the best on the market.
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I've had almost two years of shooting with the D5 up against all the primary competitors (which is really only the Canon 1DxII and the Sony A9, though some might include some less expensive and expansive cameras such as the Nikon D500 and the Canon 7DII).
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We're going to have to wait and see. If you want the biggest and the baddest, the flagship camera, yes, this is a great way to go, but I still think that in practical terms, most photographers are going to still prefer the smaller.
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The Nikon D5 will be a welcome upgrade to anyone who is already shooting with a Nikon D4s, D4, or D3s, with faster continuous shooting, improved focus system, and increased resolution as well as an expanded ISO range.
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Nikon has probably already done enough to tempt professional photographers to place a pre-order by releasing the specs of the D5 alone.
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The focus speed, I haven't used a camera that focuses as fast as this camera does especially with the best glass on there that I was putting there. The shooting speed at 12 frames a second continuous is extremely incredible.
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A replacement for the Nikon D5 is imminent, so not surprisingly this has led to some useful discounts on this model. But is it still desirable after all this time?
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The top-of-the-line Nikon D5 SLR doesn't disappoint thanks to best-in-class autofocus, 4K video recording, and a full-frame image sensor.
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The Nikon D5 is a great camera and a worthwhile upgrade to the D4S, but there are a few niggles that if addressed could make it an absolute belter.
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So basically, if you're shooting any kind of sports and you're having problems with your camera, the Nikon D5 is going to solve that problem. It focuses all the time, it produces the best low-light images that we've ever seen.
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I also think that because of its build quality, a D5 would probably last longer than my D750s.
- Digital Trends 8/10
Nikon has given professional shooters another outstanding camera with the D5. It is faster and sharper than its predecessors, with an autofocus system that actually enables users to take advantage of that speed and resolution.
- Photo Review 92%
The improvements to continuous shooting frame rates and buffer capacities could be valuable for professional sports shooters, as could the fast file processing speeds. Also of value to these photographers are the improvements to the autofocusing system.
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Make no bones about it: the Nikon D5 is an astounding pro-spec camera.
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Point the Nikon D5 at unfolding action, hold the AF button down and start shooting and you’ll be amazed at its fantastic hit rate. Sharp image after sharp, well-exposed image are pulled at incredible speed onto its memory cards, ready to be published anywhere.
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Let’s not sugarcoat it; the D5 is a niche camera. Even if you’ve got the cash to splash, it doesn’t mean you should – it makes sense in the hands of a pro photographer, but beginners will be lost.
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I've had the camera for about 8 days now, but the weather's been really, really bad in Cape Town, and this is the first time I've taken the camera out of my cupboard at home and actually used it, and so far I've been pretty impressed, just all around.
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I don’t think I’ve ever been so back and forth about whether to keep a camera or not.
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The Nikon D5 is an extraordinary camera because of its superior autofocus system that really does automatically identify, locate, lock-on and track autofocus perfectly for fast-moving subjects at 12 FPS in the real world.
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The Nikon D5 is an absolutely fantastic camera.
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The D5 is a winner for me. It’s not a perfect camera by any means, but the reality is the vast majority of images I work on day to day require reliable auto focus and clean ISO at crazy high levels and on those two metrics – the D5 is the best on the market.
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Mirror blackout is negligible in single image captures (with the exception of slower shutter speeds) and far quieter than the D3s.
- Checkout 5 out of 5 stars
The D5 can go beyond that and make results look crisper and more evenly exposed than you should rightly expect. This camera has serious lowlight credentials, reaching as high as 102,400 ISO natively.
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The Nikon D5 for photography and videography truly is the total package.
