• 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 42.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D5 advantages over Sony A99 II

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.45 vs 4.51 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3780 vs 490 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
  • More AF points
    153 vs 79
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.1 fps vs 10.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 61 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    183 vs 25 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    3276800 vs 102400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A99 II advantages over Nikon D5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $3198 vs $3930
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer video battery life
    135 vs 110 minutes
    Capture more video
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Lighter weight
    849g vs 1415g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.72x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    42.4 vs 20.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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
  • 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

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5

Review Excerpt

  • 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.

  • Superb image quality at low, moderate ISOs; Improved high ISO performance; Fast continuous shooting speeds; Very impressive hybrid autofocus; High-quality 4K UHD video; Rugged camera body.

  • Multi-selector joystick can be awkward to use; No EVF live view at fastest burst rate; Buffer clearing is slow with no UHS-II support; 4K UHD video isn't as full-featured as E-mount counterparts.

The Competition

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D5
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Touchscreen
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $6989
  • 35mm
Sony A99 II
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D5
Nikon D4S
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony A99 II
Nikon D4S
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
Sony A99 II
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D5
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Sony A99 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D850

Nikon D5
Nikon D850
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer video battery life
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Sony A99 II
Nikon D850
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
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