Nikon has today now officially announced it’s long awaited and expected Nikon D5 flagship DSLR. The announcement was made at the annual CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, USA. So the Nikon D5 is now official and so far exceeds all expectations.
Among some of the new features for the D5 are: A whopping 153 Auto Focusing system, 4k video recording system (Yes that’s right, 4K recording) which means the resolution of your video’s will be 3840 x 2160 at 30/25/24p UHD and finally, an extended ISO range of up to 3,280,000 (That’s ISO of 3.28 million).
There will also be two versions. CompactFlash© (CF) (Type I, compliant with UDMA) and a double CF with XQD Type Memory. With a price tag of USD$6,499.95 or GBP£4429.12 for the body only, they certainly don’t come cheap. Make sure you accountant is sitting down, in case he faints and finds out that you intend to purchase one of these monsters with accessories.
Contents
The Nikon D5 is Now Official and Exceeds Expectations
The comparisons for the D4 are quite staggering. The D5 has maximum ISO raised up to 102,400, allowing the maximum expanded ISO to reach 3.28 million. By comparison, the D4S has an ISO range from 25,600 and can be expanded up to 409,600. This is a major step up from the D4 to the D5 and I can see the D5 being success, just as the D4s was when it first released.
1557_D5_back
The LCD Screen on the back of the camera is a 3.2-inch touchscreen, 2.36-million-dot LCD panel. With the notable problems of the Nikon D5500 has had with its touchscreen. I hope Nikon have learned from these mistakes. There is also a viewfinder with100%-coverage and 0.72x magnification. The camera’s body also packs a built-in 1000 Base-T 400MBps Ethernet connection for transferring your photos 1.5x faster than with the D4S when connected to a laptop (Mac Book Pro). This comes in handy for on-site editing for this serious professionals.
1557_D5_top
The camera is a full-frame and has 20.8-megapixel CMOS sensor that can shoot stills at 12 frames per second or 14fps with the mirror locked. The camera is also capable of shooting video at 4K resolution at 30fps. The D5 has the new and improved Expeed 5 imaging processor. The only downside to shooting and editing 4K video, will mean upgrading your beloved 21inch iMac to a Mac Pro or a 15 Inch Mac Book Pro with improved RAM. If you don’t have suitable extra storage then you may need to purchase something like a QNAP TVS-871-i3-4G with 4K Video Playback and Transcoding capabilities.
1557_D5_cardslot
As previously mentioned, there will be two versions of the D5 types depending on the card format you prefer, all for the same price tag. There is a dual XQD card slot version and a dual CF card slot.
1557_D5_left
If you are wanting one of these bad boys, you will have to wait until March 2016 for the official release. That is not far away boys and gals. If like me, you don’t have the money for one, all you I can do is dream.
The D5 to D4S and D3 Comparison
Nikon have put the D5 Specifications on their website but I put a small list of them here for you to look at.
-
Effective Pixels (Megapixels)
20.8 million -
Sensor Size
35.9 mmx 23.9 mm -
Image Sensor Format
FX -
Storage Media
CompactFlash© (CF) (Type I, compliant with UDMA)
XQD Type Memory -
Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution
12 frames per second
14 frames per second with mirror up
-
ISO Sensitivity
ISO 100 –102,400
Can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 EV (ISO 50 equivalent) below ISO 100 or to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 EV (ISO 3,280,000 equivalent) above ISO 102,400; auto ISO sensitivity control available
-
Movie
4K/UHD 3,840×2,160 / 30 fps
4K/UHD 3,840×2,160 / 25 fps
4K/UHD 3,840×2,160 / 24 fps
Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 60 fps
Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 50 fps
Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 30 fps
Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 25 fps
Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 24 fps
Full HD 1,920×1,080 crop / 60 fps
Full HD 1,920×1,080 crop / 50 fps
Full HD 1,920×1,080 crop / 30 fps
Full HD 1,920×1,080 crop / 25 fps
Full HD 1,920×1,080 crop / 24 fps
HD 1,280×720 / 60 fps
HD 1,280×720 / 50 fps
Actual frame rates for 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, and 24p are 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, and 23.976 fps respectively
High quality available at all frame sizes, normal quality available at all sizes except 3,840 x 2,160 -
Monitor Size
3.2 in. diagonal -
Monitor Type
Wide Viewing Angle Touch TFT-LCD (Touch for playback only) -
Battery / Batteries
EN-EL18a Lithium-ion Battery -
Approx. Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth)
6.3 in.(160 mm)x 6.3 in.(158.5 mm)x 3.7 in.(92 mm) -
Approx. Weight
49.6 oz.(1,405 g)
Courtesy of Nikon.com for all the images
I would love to have this one, Nikon brand is really awesome.
Nikon in my mind are the best. It has always been a two horse race between Nikon and Canon. I went for a brand I could trust and that was Nikon for me.
John
I use Canon and I love it but I am thinking to get a secondary camera, pro
No one is perfect. This camera is for the long term enthusiast, for sports and landscape photography. The D5 is one heck of a beast.
John
Wow, this is my dream come true, I’m sure my husband would love this good news.
Oh yes, so has mine. I think the wife and I need to Pitch to some PR companies 😉
John
It is amazing what cameras can do. I need to invest in one
Get a camera which will suit your budget and what you are looking to do with it. If you wanting to do lots of nature, fashion or family; then a compact may do. If you wanting to do more, then a DSLR mid range with interchangeable lenses will suit your needs. Up to £1000/$1000USD for a decent mid-range DSLR and some good lenses. The lenses tend to be the most expensive part when purchasing a camera.
John
i have been looking for a new camera and am very loyal to canon but gosh this nikon d5 sounds fantastic. i’m putting it on my list. thanks for the info
Oh this is going on my LONG term dream/wish list. Just need a willing sponsor to let me have one. 😉
John
Wow it is new in to my eye! This is a good camera i think.
It is going to be a beast not cheap. $6500 or £4999 for the body of the camera ONLY.
John
It’s compact, so that’s really awesome! Thank for sharing the details about this release and the features as well.
It’s not as compact as you think it is. It will be VERY heavy. You will need a tripod or a mono-pod if you want to use it. The body alone will be 1405g. That is VERY heavy indeed not taking in to account large ultra zoom lenses like the 800mm telephoto zoom lens.
John
The Nikon sounds fantastic I have a Nikon D1300 which my photographer sold to me as she upgraded. It is quite good but do you have any photography tips i.e. how to blur backgrounds?
Hi Ana,
I do have some hints. To blur out your background, you need to have a large aperture opening, the ƒ/1.8 to ƒ/3.6. As long the person is focusing on you or your face, which is always the best to focus on; then the background will be blurred. BUT, if you are stood in front of a wall, the wall will be clear as you will be. If you out for a walk in the park with a small ƒ/1.8 to ƒ/3.6 aperture. Then the trees or background will be blurred out. It sounds complicated but it is FAR easier to show you than it is to explain. If you want, I can send you a cheat sheet on how this works in practice.
John.
I need to get a nice camera. This one sounds good to me.
It’s not going to be cheap but it will last a LONG time.
Thanks for commenting
John
That’s a fine looking camera there and from a reputable brand
Nikon have spent a lot of time and money making sure this camera meets and exceed expectations.
John
I would like to learn how to use a DSLR and also go on a photography course. I keep trying to win one!
The best thing is to actually buy one and go out and use it. I visit a few websites which has plenty of hints and tips to get you off the AUTO settings.
John
I like the look of this camera I have a cannon which is great for me and what I need but this one looks and sounds fab.
There are not many differences between Nikon and Canon. This is going to be the TOP end of the Nikon range.
John
I am not a photography buff so this is way above my head but I do love good photograhs!
Some of the specifications would be, it would be a second language to some. The Nikon D5 does lag behind the D810, which can only film in HD 1080i/p only, whereas the D5 can capture film in 4k resolution.
John
Nikon what a wonderful camera…Don’t laugh still trying to learn my cannon after buying see so many other choices…Last a long time great!
We all have to start somewhere no matter which camera or brand we buy.
John
This baby looks so cool. I want to have this!
You’re not the only one. This baby is in my top ten most wanted list.
John
wow! great feature of a camra..I’m about to get a new DSLR
I know, this is on my wish list and I hope to get this sometime soon.
John
Great comprehensive review. I was gearing up to leave Nikon behind for a Canon but this made me rethink that choice. Thank you for sharing!
I hope you stay with Nikon. The D5 is going to be the new flagship camera. Upgrading to this camera will also upgrading your storage. I am sure 4k movie files will be HUGE!
John
OMG now I’m definitely stuck. I am looking for a good camera for quality photos and video, but for a beginner. I like to vlog too so lightweight would be practical, but i don’t want a point and shoot type of camera. All these great camera make me want to extend my budget to get two but I gotta stay strong! lol
Oh Yes. This is Pro camera with the price tag to prove it. This is going to be the top end must have camera for a lot of people when it hits the shelves in March. It just when to the top of my MOST WANTED list of 2016.
John
I’ve only just recently started to become interested in photography and was gifted my first DSLR ( a canon 1200D) which I’m still trying to get to grips with. I hear a lot of excellent feedback on Nikon, and this one certainly does sound its pack a hell of a punch! x
Canon and Nikon have been competing for Years and they are still trying to out whit each other. Nikon’s are a bit more expensive and the lenses are even more costly.
John
Looks awesome! I barely can figure out my old school Canon, but someday…..!
DSLR take time to learn, but the D5 is definitely the cream of the crop and at £4500, they ain’t cheap either.
John
This sounds like an amazing camera. I have a Nikon D3200, my first DSLR and I love it, in fact I just bought a new 70-300mm lens for it yesterday. I need to look into the D5, might expand my camera collection.
You seem to know your stuff, it would be a nice addition to my collection too.
John
This looks like a camera to lust after. Unfortunately, at that price, it will have to remain something to dream about. This year I’m doing a photo a day challenge and find that using an iPod actually gets the photos taken. I guess it is important to take into consideration the reason the photo is being taken and match the camera to the need
This camera would have to be a serious decision for this price tag. That being said, there some cheaper and versatile camera’s on the market, that can do the job just the same.
John
Contemplating between Nikon or Canon and this comprehensive review is very helpful
I hope you go for Nikon, they have a very good range to choose from.
John
I would love to have this camera but they are just so darn expensive (plus I probably wouldn’t know what to do with it when I got it haha)
It’s definitely not a point and shoot camera. Knowing how to use a DSLR in manual are also not easy. They take time to get use to.
John
Wow this camera sounds amazing! We’re in the market for one of these. Both for my blog and for a potential business startup for my wife.
It will be worth the investment in the end. I am just not sure the £4500 up front cost will be easy to get.
John
camera looks awesome
Oh yes. I fully agree.
John
Holy cow, the 4k video capability is incredible! It looks like a wonderful camera!
You will need some pretty big storage for 4k Video editing. It is a really nice camera too. 😉
John
This looks like a really great camera! Love all the features on it!
I just want to get my mitts on one and test it. One day I will 😉
John