Nikon
D5
Nikon FX flagship sports DSLR with 20.8MP sensor, 153-point AF, 12fps burst, 4K UHD video, and dual XQD/CF slots — predecessor to D6.
$6,499
Launch priceReleased Jan 2016
Nikon
D500
APS-C sports DSLR flagship with 10fps, 153-point AF, and pro build.
$1,999
Launch priceReleased Jan 2016
Released within a month of each other.
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Wins
D5
Wins
D500
4 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD5 has higher IBIS effectiveness (8 stops vs 0 stops)
- AD5 has higher AF points / zones (493 vs 153)
- AD5 has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 10 fps)
- BD500 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (1240 shots vs 520 shots)
- AD5 has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 29.97 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareD5
138 × 98 × 88 mm
720 g (1.59 lb / 25.40 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
D500
147 × 115 × 81 mm
860 g (1.90 lb / 30.34 oz)
D5 is 9mm narrower and 17mm shorter than D500 but it is also 7mm thicker.
D5 is 140 g lighter than D500.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm D5 · 81mm D500
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D5
138 × 98 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
D500
147 × 115 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D5
138 × 88 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
D500
147 × 81 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D5
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
D500
23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
369 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D5
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
D500
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
D5
AF low-light limit
-8.5 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
AF points / zones
493 vs 153 — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 29.97 fps — higher is better
AA filter
Only D5 supports it
Reasons to choose
D500
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 147, 115, 81
Card types
Adds SD, XQD
Battery life (CIPA)
1240 shots vs 520 shots — higher is better
EVF magnification
1 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Resolution
20.9 MP vs 20.8 MP — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 51,200
- ✓RAW buffer depth — Both 200 frames
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D5
Pros
- ✓153-point Multi-CAM 20K AF
- ✓12fps (14fps mirror-up)
- ✓4K UHD + 1080p60 video
- ✓Pro tank build + sealing
- ✓3,780-shot EN-EL18a battery
Cons
- –20.8MP only
- –Superseded by D6
- –Very heavy (1.4 kg)
- –Premium flagship pricing
D500
Pros
- ✓10fps APS-C
- ✓Pro sports AF
- ✓Weather sealed
- ✓Great buffer
Cons
- –DSLR
- –APS-C
- –No IBIS
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D5 and D500 at major authorized retailers.
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, D5 or D500?
D5 scores 9.5/10 versus 3.5/10 for D500 — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the D5 and D500?
D5 is 20.8 MP and D500 is 20.9 MP, so the D500 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D5 and D500 have in-body image stabilization?
D5 has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while D500 does not have IBIS.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D5 or the D500?
D5 reaches 30 fps electronic. D500 reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D5 and D500?
D5 weighs 720 g and D500 weighs 860 g, so the D5 is 140 g lighter.
Do the D5 and D500 record 4K video?
D5: 4K up to 60p. D500: 4K up to 29.97p.
Are the D5 and D500 weather sealed?
D5: Yes. D500: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the D5 and 1,240 shots for the D500, giving the D500 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D5 launched at $6,499 and D500 at $1,999. The D500 is $4,500 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D5 vs D500 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.