• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Nikon D4S advantages over Nikon D5

  • Less expensive
    $4800 vs $6497
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 0.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,074 vs 2,343 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise

Nikon D5 advantages over Nikon D4S

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3780 vs 3020 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    99 vs 15
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher-res screen
    590k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.8 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • More AF points
    153 vs 51
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.1 fps vs 10.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.1 fps vs 10.8 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    183 vs 78 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    3276800 vs 409600 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent, tank-like build quality; First-rate ergonomics a pro would expect; Superb performance with confident autofocus; Great image quality; Big, bright viewfinder with 100% coverage; Excellent battery life; Doubles as a powerful video capture tool

  • Fairly minor upgrade over the D4; Image quality improvements apply only to JPEG; XQD card format isn't broadly accepted; Consumer-friendly default JPEG processing may turn off some pros; Body is large and hefty (but that's normal for pro gear)

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S
Canon 1DX
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
Nikon D5
Canon 1DX
  • $6497
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D4S
Nikon D4
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
Nikon D5
Nikon D4
  • $6497
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4S
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • More cross-type AF points
Nikon D5
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $6497
  • 35mm
  • Touchscreen
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $6989
  • 35mm

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D4S
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Nikon D5
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $6497
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark III

Nikon D4S
Canon 1DX Mark III
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $6499
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Nikon D5
Canon 1DX Mark III
  • $6497
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6499
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in Bluetooth
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