• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Sony RX10 II advantages over Nikon D5

  • Less expensive
    $998 vs $3789
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/3200 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    849g vs 1415g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.2 fps vs 12.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D5 advantages over Sony RX10 II

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.45 vs 2.41 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 1.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,343 vs 531 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3780 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher-res screen
    590k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 44 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.1 fps vs 8.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    183 vs 29 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    3276800 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent build quality; Superb viewfinder; Excellent image and video quality for its class; Bright and versatile zoom lens; Very fast autofocus; Great burst performance and depth; Incredible slow-motion capabilities; Really intuitive Wi-Fi image transfer; Good battery life.

  • Expensive compared to its nearest competitors; Less zoom reach than rivals; Soft in corners wide-open; Slow buffer clearing; Small rear control dial has poor tactile feedback; Long delay to render each high frame-rate movie; No tilt/swivel or touch on the LCD panel.

  • 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 Sony RX10

Sony RX10 II
Sony RX10
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
Nikon D5
Sony RX10
  • $5143
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Nikon D4S

Sony RX10 II
Nikon D4S
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D5
Nikon D4S
  • $5143
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX10 II
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Top deck display
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon D5
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $5143
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Sony RX10 II
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
Nikon D5
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $5143
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Sony RX10 II
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon D5
Canon 1DX Mark II
  • $5143
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $2999
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
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