• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Nikon D600 advantages over Nikon D5

  • Less expensive
    $1900 vs $3930
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,980 vs 2,343 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.2 vs 12.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Nikon D5 advantages over Nikon D600

  • 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 900 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    99 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    8 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    590k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.26 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More AF points
    153 vs 39
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.1 fps vs 5.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.1 fps vs 5.4 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    183 vs 14 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 25600 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5

Review Excerpt

  • Great controls for amateur or pro; Good grip and heft; Impressive low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.

  • Dust and oil spatter problem; Moire problem with certain subjects; Slower X-sync speed; Slow AF in Live view mode; Aliasing in videos.

  • 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 6D

Nikon D600
Canon 6D
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
Nikon D5
Canon 6D
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Nikon D610

Nikon D600
Nikon D610
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • $1271
  • 35mm
  • Faster RAW shooting
Nikon D5
Nikon D610
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1271
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D600
Nikon D4S
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
Nikon D5
Nikon D4S
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Nikon D750

Nikon D600
Nikon D750
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1698
  • 35mm
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Nikon D5
Nikon D750
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1698
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D600
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Nikon D5
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $5213
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
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