When we ranked DSLR Cameras, the flagship Nikon D5 was on the top of the list, and for good reason. Take a peek at any website or customer review and you’ll see consistently high marks from photographers who can’t stop raving about the D5.
While the hefty price tag for the Nikon D5 makes it out of reach for many photographers, those with the budget to buy it will get some of the most advanced technology available. The D5 is the top-of-the-line choice for sports and portraits, and with excellent autofocus and high ISO, the D5 is sure to deliver each and every time.
Specs
Here are the top specs of the Nikon D5
- 8MP FX-Format CMOS Sensor
- EXPEED 5 Image Processor
- Native ISO range 100 to 102,400
- Redesigned AF (153 points, 99 cross-type sensors and a dedicated processor)
- 2″ 2.36m-Dot Touchscreen LCD Monitor
- 4K UHD Video Recording
- Multi-CAM 20K 153-Point AF System
- 12 fps Shooting for 200 Shots with AE/AF
- 180k-Pixel RGB Sensor and Group Area AF
Shooter-Friendly Design
The D5 is bulky and heavy – weighing in at 3.1 pounds – but that’s necessary due to the design and built in battery grip. It’s a breeze to shoot in either landscape or portrait mode, and it’s super comfortable to hold. The D5 was obviously designed for the right target customer, as it offers incredible customization features, and the button placement (once you get the hang of it) enables you to keep shooting without having to stop and make adjustments.
Some new design features work well, but may require a bit of adjustment for experienced Nikon shooters. The new touchscreen, a first for Nikon, works well but takes a bit of getting used to. The biggest change Nikon users will encounter is the change in some button placement. This might take time to appreciate, but the overall design is smart – once you get used to it.
Beautiful Shots
The new autofocus is hard to pass up – it’s just that good. It offers an astounding 153 points. The D5 produces great shots at all kinds of low light situations, too. For photographers who rely mainly on natural light, the D5 will not disappoint. Basically, you have to try really hard to get a bad shot out of the Nikon D5.
The native ISO range goes up to 102,400 and the high ISO performance will leave you astounded at the quality of your shots. However, shooting at the expanded ISO (up to 3,280,000) does not produce clean shots, so this “perk” of the D5 might not actually be beneficial to most photographers.
Fast Performance
When it comes to talking about the overall performance of the Nikon D5, all we can say is “fast.” It is fast, period. The shutter speed and continuous shooting options are obviously designed (much like the interface and button placement) for the kind of shooter who is most likely to shell out the money for the D5 – photographers who shoot sporting events, weddings, and so forth, and who need the kind of speed the D5 offers. You’ll likely get way more shots than you actually need in any given session, but add in the fantastic battery life, and there really isn’t much to complain about here.
Bottom Line: The Nikon D5 is absolutely incredible and well worth the high sticker price. Of course, that sticker price is what will limit the number of photographers who can buy Nikon’s flagship camera, but for those who can – it’s worth every penny.
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