Nikon D5 Image Quality

The 20.7-megapixel Nikon D5 is able to resolve a bit more detail than its 16.2-megapixel predecessor, however noise levels are a touch higher as can be seen in flatter areas. Both cameras apply similar amounts of sharpening which leaves some visible halos around high-contrast edges. Interestingly, the D5 shows a bit more aliasing in the red-leaf fabric indicating it has a fairly weak anti-aliasing filter though the D4S manages slightly better detail in the red-leaf fabric, and higher contrast in the pink fabric. The D5's color reproduction is however more pleasing, with brighter reds and less of a shift to green in yellows.

Image quality from these two rivals is actually fairly close, with the Nikon producing an ever-so-slightly crisper image in some areas, thanks to a slightly tighter sharpening radius and higher contrast, while the 1DX II appears sharper in others. Interestingly, the 1DX II shows a slightly higher amount of aliasing artifacts, which indicates it has a fairly weak AA filter. Colors from the Nikon are a touch warmer as well, but otherwise image quality is quite comparable here at base ISO.

The full-frame D5 and APS-C D500 produce files with identical pixel count (20.7MP), so it's not surprising both cameras resolve essentially the same amount of detail here at base ISO. Noise levels are however a bit lower from the D5 as can be seen in the shadows, and fine detail in our tricky red-leaf swatch is just slightly better, likely due to stronger noise reduction from the D500, though detail in the pink fabric is better from the D500. Both cameras show some moire patterns in the red-leaf fabric (the D500 has no OLPF while the D5 has a weak one).

Canon's top-of-the-line APS-C DSLR offers similar resolution, but again, its smaller APS-C sensor means that noise levels are a little higher at base ISO, which translates to slightly less detail thanks to noise reduction which has to work a little harder to produce similar noise levels here at base ISO. The Canon's image is also not as sharp and crisp as the D5's, due to its stronger anti-aliasing filter as well as slightly less aggressive sharpening and contrast. Color from the Nikon D5 is warmer and more pleasing, without the Canon's shift towards green in yellows and beiges.

The 28-megapixel APS-C Samsung NX1 definitely resolves more high-contrast detail here at base ISO, while producing fewer sharpening artifacts. Noise levels are similar with lower luma noise but slightly higher chroma noise. Moire patterns are however much more noticeable in the red-leaf fabric from the Samsung interfering with fine detail, and colors are a bit drab compared to the Nikon.

Similar to what we saw at base ISO, the Nikon D5 continues to resolve more detail in most areas at ISO 1600, but the D4S does better in the red and pink fabrics. Noise levels are similar, however the D5's noise reduction is a bit better at handling chroma noise. Both still generate obvious sharpening halos around high-contrast edges, and colors continue to be brighter and more pleasing from the D5.

Again, fairly similar image quality from these two rivals at ISO 1600 apart from color and contrast, though the Canon image appears slightly cleaner in the shadows and dark areas.

Unsurprisingly, the D500 is noisier here at ISO 1600 thanks to its smaller pixels. High-contrast detail is quite comparable, but subtle detail does suffer from stronger noise reduction, as can be seen in our difficult red-leaf swatch. Still, pretty good performance here from the Nikon D500 for an APS-C camera.

At ISO 1600, the full-frame D5 easily bests the APS-C 7D Mark II, with much better detail and clarity, much lower noise with a finer noise grain, and better color.

The Samsung NX1 still manages to resolve more high-contrast detail, but noise is much higher in flatter areas ,with stronger noise reduction artifacts. Color and contrast from the Nikon D5 also continue to be better.

The Nikon D5's resolution advantage is still apparent in high-contrast detail while maintaining similar if not slightly lower noise levels, but again, the D4S does better with subtle detail in our tricky red-leaf swatch as well as in the pink fabric. Colors remain brighter and more pleasing from the D5.

Once again, very similar image quality from these two rivals at ISO 3200 apart from color and tone curves, though the Canon does show slightly lower luma noise in the shadows.

As expected, the Nikon D5 bests the D500 in most respects here, with noticeably lower noise and better detail with fewer noise reduction artifacts. The difference is quite apparent in our troublesome red-leaf swatch.

Unsurprisingly, there's no contest here between the full-frame D5 and APS-C 7D Mark II, with much better detail, lower noise and better, brighter colors from the D5.

While the Samsung NX1 manages to hold onto a bit more detail in limited areas, its much higher noise requires much stronger noise reduction, smudging fine detail as well as leaving more noise behind in flatter areas. Our tricky red-leaf swatch now is heavily smudged, and colors continue to look flat and drab compared to the D5.