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
Z6 III
First partially stacked full-frame sensor with 6K N-RAW internal video.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Jun 2024
Z6 III is 8.4 years newer.
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Wins
D5
Wins
Z6 III
5 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZ6 III has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 200 frames)
- BZ6 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BZ6 III has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
- BZ6 III has higher Burst (mechanical) (20 fps vs 12 fps)
- BZ6 III has higher Max video bit rate (250 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
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
Z6 III
139 × 102 × 74 mm
760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
D5 is 1mm narrower and 4mm shorter than Z6 III but it is also 14mm thicker.
D5 is 40 g lighter than Z6 III.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm D5 · 74mm Z6 III
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D5
138 × 98 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z6 III
139 × 102 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
Z6 III
139 × 74 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D5
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Z6 III
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D5
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z6 III
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…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
AF points / zones
493 vs 299 — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
520 shots vs 360 shots — higher is better
Weight
720 g vs 760 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Z6 III
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 138.5, 101.5, 74
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 200 frames — higher is better
Card types
Adds XQD, SD, SDHC…
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds ProRes RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, Raw
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — 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
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
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
Z6 III
Pros
- ✓Partially stacked CMOS reduces rolling shutter
- ✓6K N-RAW 60p internal — true filmmaking capability
- ✓5.76M dot EVF — best-in-class resolution
- ✓14fps mechanical burst
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 380 CIPA shots
- –Smaller lens ecosystem vs. Canon RF
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D5 and Z6 III at major authorized retailers.
Nikon Z6 III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, D5 or Z6 III?
D5 scores 10.0/10 versus 6.5/10 for Z6 III — 30fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the D5 and Z6 III?
D5 is 20.8 MP and Z6 III is 24.5 MP, so the Z6 III captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D5 and Z6 III have in-body image stabilization?
D5 has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z6 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D5 or the Z6 III?
D5 reaches 30 fps electronic. Z6 III reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D5 and Z6 III?
D5 weighs 720 g and Z6 III weighs 760 g, so the D5 is 40 g lighter.
Do the D5 and Z6 III record 4K video?
D5: 4K up to 60p. Z6 III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the D5 and Z6 III weather sealed?
D5: Yes. Z6 III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the D5 and 360 shots for the Z6 III, giving the D5 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D5 launched at $6,499 and Z6 III at $2,499. The Z6 III is $4,000 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D5 vs Z6 III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.