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
Z5 IIC
Screen-first, viewfinder-free full-frame Z mount body: 24.5MP BSI sensor, EXPEED 7 AF with fish detection, 7.5-stop IBIS, 15 Scene Modes, and N-RAW video.
$1,399
Launch priceReleased Oct 2026
Z5 IIC is 10.8 years newer.
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Wins
D5
Wins
Z5 IIC
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD5 has higher Burst (mechanical) (12 fps vs 0 fps)
- AD5 has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 1,040,000)
- BZ5 IIC has higher Max video bit rate (420 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- AD5 has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
- AD5 has higher AF points / zones (493 vs 273)
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
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 × 72 mm
620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)
D5 is 4mm wider, 17mm taller, and 16mm thicker than Z5 IIC.
D5 is 100 g heavier than Z5 IIC.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm D5 · 72mm Z5 IIC
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D5
138 × 98 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 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
Z5 IIC
134 × 72 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D5
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Z5 IIC
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D5
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z5 IIC
Nikon Z
90+
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
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Burst (mechanical)
12 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B, SD UHS-II
EVF resolution
5,760,000 vs 1,040,000 — higher is better
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
AF points / zones
493 vs 273 — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
520 shots vs 350 shots — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z5 IIC
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -8.5 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 80.7, 72
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC
Max video bit rate
420 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Z5 IIC supports it
ISO max (native)
64,000 vs 51,200 — higher is better
Resolution
24.5 MP vs 20.8 MP — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Burst (electronic) — Both 30 fps
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
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
Z5 IIC
Pros
- ✓Lightest full-frame Z body (620g)
- ✓15 Scene Modes — first on a Nikon FX mirrorless
- ✓EXPEED 7 AF, 10 subject types incl. fish
- ✓7.5-stop IBIS + Focus Point VR
- ✓N-RAW internal recording, UVC/UAC webcam
Cons
- –No built-in EVF — rear screen only
- –Single SD UHS-II slot
- –No mechanical shutter
- –4K 60p is DX (APS-C) crop only
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D5 and Z5 IIC at major authorized retailers.
Nikon Z5 IIC
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, D5 or Z5 IIC?
D5 scores 10.0/10 versus 6.5/10 for Z5 IIC — 30fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the D5 and Z5 IIC?
D5 is 20.8 MP and Z5 IIC is 24.5 MP, so the Z5 IIC captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D5 and Z5 IIC have in-body image stabilization?
D5 has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z5 IIC has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D5 or the Z5 IIC?
D5 reaches 30 fps electronic. Z5 IIC reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D5 and Z5 IIC?
D5 weighs 720 g and Z5 IIC weighs 620 g, so the Z5 IIC is 100 g lighter.
Do the D5 and Z5 IIC record 4K video?
D5: 4K up to 60p. Z5 IIC: 4K up to 59.94p.
Are the D5 and Z5 IIC weather sealed?
D5: Yes. Z5 IIC: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the D5 and 350 shots for the Z5 IIC, giving the D5 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D5 launched at $6,499 and Z5 IIC at $1,399. The Z5 IIC is $5,100 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D5 vs Z5 IIC vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed September 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.