Nikon Df vs Nikon D5

Cameras
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Nikon Df vs Nikon D5

35mm 860.4mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon Df Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon Df in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Df.
Compare Nikon Df image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon Df conclusion.

35mm 858.0mm²
20.8 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5.
Compare Nikon D5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D6
Compare D5 vs D6
Compare Nikon Df vs Nikon D6

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Differences

Nikon Df advantages over Nikon D5

Less expensive
$2997 vs $3990*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
Df test data on DxO Mark D5 test data on DxO Mark

3,279 vs 2,343 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
66 mm vs 92 mm
Thinner
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 200 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon D5 advantages over Nikon Df

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs No
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.6 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

3780 vs 1400 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
99 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Higher-res screen
590k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.27 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.8 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
153 vs 39
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
12.1 fps vs 5.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.1 fps vs 5.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
183 vs 29 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
3276800 vs 204800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Df User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon Df

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 50mm f/1.8 lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5

Body Only (CF Version)

Body Only (CF Version)
Body Only (XQD Version)
Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition (XQD)

Review Excerpt

Same sensor and processor as professional D4; Great image quality; Arguably the best available-light shooter in its class; Handsome, retro styling; Weather-sealed design; Big, clear full-frame viewfinder; Excellent battery life
Expensive; Bulky, yet handgrip is quite modest; Some controls are clumsy; Plastic body panels don't gel with retro aesthetic; Autofocus isn't in the same league as image quality; No AF assist lamp; No movie capture; No portrait grip; Single card slot
Read our Nikon Df Review

Excellent image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 153-point autofocus system; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K video recording; Pro-quality camera body; Outstanding battery life.
Large and heavy body might not be right for all; Loud shutter; Underutilized touchscreen; Low ISO dynamic range not as good as predecessor; Extended high ISOs not very useful; Sluggish Live View AF.
Read our Nikon D5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon Df

Canon 5D Mark III

$2747
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

$2139
35mm

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D5

Canon 5D Mark III

$5243
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$2139
35mm

Less expensive
Lighter weight

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Sony A99

Nikon Df

Sony A99

$2747
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Df vs Sony A99

Nikon D5

Sony A99

$5243
35mm

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D5 vs Sony A99

Compared to Canon 6D

Nikon Df

Canon 6D

$2747
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 6D

Nikon D5

Canon 6D

$5243
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon Df

Nikon D4S

$2747
35mm

Less expensive
Thinner

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon Df vs Nikon D4S

Nikon D5

Nikon D4S

$5243
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon Df

Canon 1DX Mark II

$2747
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

$2999
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark II

$5243
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

$2999
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

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