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
Z9
Flagship stacked mirrorless with 45MP, 8K video, and no mechanical shutter.
$5,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Z9 is 5.8 years newer.
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Wins
D5
Wins
Z9
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD5 has higher Burst (mechanical) (12 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ9 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 200 frames)
- BZ9 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BZ9 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
Z9
149 × 150 × 91 mm
1160 g (2.56 lb / 40.92 oz)
D5 is 11mm narrower, 52mm shorter, and 3mm thinner than Z9.
D5 is 440 g lighter than Z9.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm D5 · 91mm Z9
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D5
138 × 98 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z9
149 × 150 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
Z9
149 × 91 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D5
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Z9
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D5
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z9
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
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B, SD UHS-II
AA filter
Only D5 supports it
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Weight
720 g vs 1160 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Z9
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 149, 149.5, 90.5
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD, CFexpress Type B / XQD
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
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
Z9
Pros
- ✓45MP stacked
- ✓8K 60p internal
- ✓120fps stills
- ✓Pro build
Cons
- –Heavy body
- –Expensive
- –Large files
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D5 and Z9 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 Z9?
D5 scores 10.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for Z9 — 30fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the D5 and Z9?
D5 is 20.8 MP and Z9 is 45.7 MP, so the Z9 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D5 and Z9 have in-body image stabilization?
D5 has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z9 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D5 or the Z9?
D5 reaches 30 fps electronic. Z9 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D5 and Z9?
D5 weighs 720 g and Z9 weighs 1160 g, so the D5 is 440 g lighter.
Do the D5 and Z9 record 4K video?
D5: 4K up to 60p. Z9: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D5 and Z9 weather sealed?
D5: Yes. Z9: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the D5 and 740 shots for the Z9, giving the Z9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D5 launched at $6,499 and Z9 at $5,499. The Z9 is $1,000 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D5 vs Z9 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.