Last Updated on March 19, 2019 by cameraconsumer
Is the Nikon D5 DSLR camera still a good purchase? Prices have been fluctuating on the Nikon D5. Is a replacement on the way?
Or is it still relevant, and indeed a good camera to purchase?
A capacity for staying relevant – that’s a quality that escapes most modern cameras. Palm-sized smartphones have all but replaced point and shoot digital cameras for the average person. And mirrorless cameras are quickly gaining ground where DSLR cameras once dominated among photography professionals and hobbyists.
With that said, let’s see if the Nikon D5 is affected by the current state of the photography market. Will the full-frame flagship DSLR end up a discontinued camera in the near future? Or does it still have years of venerable service locked within its magnesium-alloy body? To boil down the question to its most fundamental form, is there still a demand for this ultra high-end piece of photography equipment in today’s photography landscape?
A By-The-Numbers Sneak Peek
Before going any further, here are a few specs to mull over. The Nikon D5 is a full-frame workhorse; a camera that’s loved by both professional photographers, and enthusiasts. It’s equipped with a 20.8 Megapixel CMOS sensor, which captures superbly detailed shots. It features Nikon’s EXPEED 5 Image Processor, which was announced at CES in 2016 – officially making it a 3-year old processing system.
Aided by a 153-point autofocus system, and a 12 fps continuous shooting mode, this hard as nails camera body is designed to capture fast-moving action images. The ISO sensitivity rating, which ranges from 100 to a super-sensitive 102,400 (and extends to ISO 3280000), just underscores that talent for snatching the perfect photo, even if the action is moving at a blur. Alternatively, the superior light sensitivity feature can be used to shoot high-resolution pictures in low-light conditions.
A few more details:
- 180k-Pixel RGB sensor and group area AF
- 14-Bit raw files and 12-Bit raw S Format
- Dual XQD or CF versions available
- A 3.2″ 2.36m-Dot touchscreen LCD monitor
- Comes with an EN-EL18a rechargeable Li-ion battery
Is Nikon’s Flagship Still A Contender?
At a price that’s high enough to buy a fairly well-equipped second-hand automobile, the only acceptable answer is a thunderous yes, for there are other high-performance models nipping at the heels of the D5.
Among them, the Canon 1D X Mark II packs a real performance punch. And it’s considerably cheaper. If money is an issue, a $5,500 flagship Canon DSLR beats out the regularly-priced Nikon. So, is the D5, which generally costs more, still the world-beater it once was? And, if so, do the performance gains warrant the extra expenditure?
Those are two good questions. Well, think of this pairing as the best possible DSLR matchup. For sports and action photography, nothing else even comes close to their lightning fast shot capturing credentials. That said, does Nikon’s crown jewel have what it takes to overwhelm Canon’s high-performing professional sports and action shooting DSLR?
Delivering The Performance Edge
With its 153-point AF system, Nikon has the clear edge. When that once-in-a-lifetime sports shot comes along, the camera instantly brings the moment into sharp focus. The Canon 1D X Mark II, featuring a 61-point autofocus mode, simply can’t match that extremely fast lens adjusting mechanism. And, since action cameras depend on an ability to instantly grab images under the most challenging conditions, it’s hard to ignore this one best-selling, optics-oriented camera attribute.
As far as ISO is concerned, a picture is worth a thousand words:
However, turning away from Canon’s nearest competitor, there’s another camera out there that offers the same high-quality autofocus framework.
The FX-Format Nikon D850 which is a bargain delivers the same 153-point AF system. Given the significant drop in price, isn’t this sufficient as a sports photographer’s companion?
Pummeled From Two Sides
Granted, the top-tier Canon DSLR can almost match the D5 shot-for-shot. Likewise, the Nikon D850 is equipped with a superbly advanced autofocus solution. Still, while the D850 implements the mechanism well, its big brother consistently outperforms its sibling. It’s the same with the Canon focusing mode.
The flagship Nikon camera just always gets its shot, while the Canon 1D falls fractionally short. Of course, these so-called failings come down to fractions of a second. Both the Canon 1D and the Nikon D850 are incredibly fast and light-sensitive. A professional action, sports, or wildlife photographer could easily shoot a prize-winning shot with either model. Only, returning once more to the D5, Nikon’s number one pro-level camera, this model consistently takes better photographs.
Rounding Up The Finest Features
Still holding both flagship models in-hand, let’s talk about 4K Ultra High Definition video capabilities. The Nikon camera shoots 4K at 30fps. That’s a good spec, but it’s no longer the best possible footage recording mode available. For Canon’s premier model, the 1D X Mark II, 4K video is filmed at 60fps. That’s not exactly surprising, as Canon cameras have grown something of a reputation around their filming capabilities.
Many film students shoot their short films on Canon’s, so this is a one-sided battle. Canon is the clear winner. Interestingly, just as a side note, the Mark III is expected to arrive in 2019, as is a Nikon D6 (possibly with an Expeed 6 processor?).
These are, of course, merely rumors, at least they are until a camera trade show suddenly brings one of the two lead manufacturers’ replacement models to market. When this happens, a discontinued camera, whether it’s the current Nikon or Canon leader, will receive a nice little price break.
Has the original question been answered to the satisfaction of our audience? If not, let’s simplify it a bit with a quick summation:
The Nikon D5 is the fast-on-the-draw winner. It has that massively populated AF system working in its favor. Still, the competition is definitely closing in, with the Canon 1D X Mark II leading the charge. It’s a full-frame, 20.2 Megapixel shooter that has a superior 4K video recording mode. The Canon also has a higher dynamic range when shooting RAW images. As for Nikon’s little brother, the Nikon D850, it adopts the same 153-point AF mechanism, but it doesn’t quite deliver the same level of capture consistency.
For the answer, then, the slightly less expensive Canon flagship and the Nikon D850 are excellent professional-grade DSLRs, but they’re not going to capture every single action shot, not like the D5 can.
If the occasional missed shooting opportunity isn’t going to cause aggravation, buy the Canon model or a discontinued camera that features a high-performance AF mechanism. Alternatively, consider the Nikon D850, a camera that comes very close to implementing the same 153-point AF system.
However, at least until the 2019 models arrive, the D5 is the clear winner, at least it is when it comes to a talent for consistently grabbing crisply focused images. Just be prepared to splash out more cash when shopping for a top-tier Nikon camera, though.
