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
Z8
Z9 internals in a compact body — 45.7MP stacked sensor, 8K 60p, no blackout burst.
$3,999
Launch priceReleased May 2023
Z8 is 7.3 years newer.
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Wins
D5
Wins
Z8
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD5 has higher Burst (mechanical) (12 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ8 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 200 frames)
- BZ8 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BZ8 has higher Resolution (45.7 MP vs 20.8 MP)
- AD5 has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
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
Z8
144 × 119 × 83 mm
820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)
D5 is 6mm narrower and 21mm shorter than Z8 but it is also 5mm thicker.
D5 is 100 g lighter than Z8.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm D5 · 83mm Z8
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D5
138 × 98 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z8
144 × 119 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
Z8
144 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D5
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Z8
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D5
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z8
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
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
AA filter
Only D5 supports it
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B
EVF resolution
5,760,000 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z8
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 118.5, 83
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 200 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Resolution
45.7 MP vs 20.8 MP — higher is better
AF low-light limit
-9 EV vs -8.5 EV — lower is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 493
- ✓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)
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
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
Z8
Pros
- ✓45.7MP stacked CMOS from Z9 — class-leading
- ✓8K 60p N-RAW internal
- ✓No mechanical shutter wear — fully electronic
- ✓20fps at full 45.7MP resolution
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 340 CIPA shots
- –No built-in grip (unlike Z9)
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D5 and Z8 at major authorized retailers.
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, D5 or Z8?
D5 scores 10.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for Z8 — 30fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the D5 and Z8?
D5 is 20.8 MP and Z8 is 45.7 MP, so the Z8 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D5 and Z8 have in-body image stabilization?
D5 has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z8 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D5 or the Z8?
D5 reaches 30 fps electronic. Z8 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D5 and Z8?
D5 weighs 720 g and Z8 weighs 820 g, so the D5 is 100 g lighter.
Do the D5 and Z8 record 4K video?
D5: 4K up to 60p. Z8: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D5 and Z8 weather sealed?
D5: Yes. Z8: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the D5 and 340 shots for the Z8, giving the D5 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D5 launched at $6,499 and Z8 at $3,999. The Z8 is $2,500 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D5 vs Z8 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.