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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 price

Released Jan 2016

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vs

Nikon

D6

Nikon flagship sports DSLR with 14fps and the most advanced DSLR autofocus.

$6,499

Launch price

Released Feb 2020

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D6 is 4.1 years newer.

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Wins

7categories

D5

★ Wildlife★ Sports & Action

Wins

3categories

D6

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

D5 wins 3 categories·D6 wins 2 categories
  • AD5 has higher IBIS effectiveness (8 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BD6 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (3580 shots vs 520 shots)
  • AD5 has higher AF points / zones (493 vs 105)
  • AD5 has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 10.5 fps)
  • BD6 has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 51,200)

Key specs at a glance

D5D6
Resolution20.8 MP20.8 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max51,200102,400
Burst30 fps14 fps
4K60 fps30 fps
IBIS8-stopNo
Weight720 g1270 g
Battery520 shots3580 shots

Size and weight, to scale

D5

138 × 98 × 88 mm

720 g (1.59 lb / 25.40 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

D6

160 × 163 × 92 mm

1270 g (2.80 lb / 44.80 oz)

D5 is 22mm narrower, 65mm shorter, and 4mm thinner than D6.

D5 is 550 g lighter than D6.

Depth (front-to-back): 88mm D5 · 92mm D6

Sensor size, to scale

D5

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

D6

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

D5

✓ more lenses

Nikon F

270+

native lenses available

90 first-party180 third-party

D6

✓ more lenses

Nikon F

270+

native lenses available

90 first-party180 third-party

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

Use caseD5D6
Portrait
6.5Good✓ wins
3.5Limited
Sports & Action
9.5Excellent✓ wins
3.0Limited
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good✓ wins
3.0Limited
Landscape
5.5Fair✓ wins
4.5Fair
Travel
6.0Good✓ wins
4.5Fair
Wildlife
10.0Excellent✓ wins
4.0Fair
Vlogging
5.5Fair✓ wins
2.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

D5

  • AF low-light limit

    -8.5 EV vs -4.5 EV — lower is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Human, Animal, Bird…

  • Codecs

    Adds H.265, H.264

  • IBIS effectiveness

    8 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 138, 98, 88

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type B, SD UHS-II

  • AF points / zones

    493 vs 105 — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    30 fps vs 10.5 fps — higher is better

Reasons to choose

D6

  • Codecs

    Adds H.264/AVC

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 160, 163, 92

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD, CFexpress Type B / XQD

  • Battery life (CIPA)

    3580 shots vs 520 shots — higher is better

  • ISO max (native)

    102,400 vs 51,200 — higher is better

  • Burst (mechanical)

    14 fps vs 12 fps — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • ✓Resolution — Both 20.8 MP
  • ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
  • ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
  • ✓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

D6

Pros

  • ✓14fps flagship
  • ✓Pro build
  • ✓Best DSLR AF
  • ✓Dual CFexpress

Cons

  • –20MP
  • –DSLR platform
  • –Very expensive

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the D5 and D6 at major authorized retailers.

Nikon D5

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Nikon D6

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Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

✓ = category winner

D5
D6
Resolution
20.8 MP
20.8 MP
Sensor type
Full Frame CMOS
Full Frame CMOS
Sensor size
36.0 × 24.0 mm
35.9 × 23.9 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
D5
D6
Processor
EXPEED 5
EXPEED 6
D5
D6
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
51,200
102,400✓+1 stop
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
3,280,000
D5
D6
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Mechanical focal-plane
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/32000 sec
1/8000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for sports, D5 or D6?

D5 scores 9.5/10 versus 3.0/10 for D6 — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.

What's the resolution difference between the D5 and D6?

Both cameras share the same 20.8 MP resolution.

Do the D5 and D6 have in-body image stabilization?

D5 has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while D6 does not have IBIS.

Which shoots faster bursts — the D5 or the D6?

D5 reaches 30 fps electronic. D6 reaches 14 fps mechanical.

What's the weight difference between the D5 and D6?

D5 weighs 720 g and D6 weighs 1270 g, so the D5 is 550 g lighter.

Do the D5 and D6 record 4K video?

D5: 4K up to 60p. D6: 4K up to 30p.

Are the D5 and D6 weather sealed?

D5: Yes. D6: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the D5 and 3,580 shots for the D6, giving the D6 the edge.

How much does each cost?

Both launched at $6,499.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way D5 vs D6 vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.