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
ZR
Compact Nikon RED full-frame 6K cinema camera with R3D NE RAW, 32-bit float audio, 7.5-stop VR, and Z mount.
$2,199
Launch priceReleased Sep 2025
ZR is 9.7 years newer.
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Wins
D5
Wins
ZR
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD5 has higher Burst (mechanical) (12 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZR has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BZR has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
- BZR has higher Resolution (24.5 MP vs 20.8 MP)
- BZR has lower Weight (630 g vs 720 g)
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
ZR
134 × 81 × 49 mm
630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)
D5 is 4mm wider, 18mm taller, and 39mm thicker than ZR.
D5 is 90 g heavier than ZR.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm D5 · 49mm ZR
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D5
138 × 98 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
ZR
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
ZR
134 × 49 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D5
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
ZR
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D5
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
ZR
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 SD UHS-II
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 7.5 stops — higher is better
Reasons to choose
ZR
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 80.5, 49
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds R3D NE, N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ…
Card types
Adds XQD, MicroSD UHS-I
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only ZR supports it
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
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 51,200
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓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
ZR
Pros
- ✓6K/60p R3D NE RAW
- ✓32-bit float audio
- ✓7.5-stop stabilization
- ✓Compact 535g cinema body
Cons
- –No built-in EVF
- –Cinema-first ergonomics
- –Single CFexpress plus MicroSD workflow
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D5 and ZR 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 ZR?
D5 scores 10.0/10 versus 6.5/10 for ZR — 30fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the D5 and ZR?
D5 is 20.8 MP and ZR is 24.5 MP, so the ZR captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D5 and ZR have in-body image stabilization?
D5 has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while ZR has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D5 or the ZR?
D5 reaches 30 fps electronic. ZR reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D5 and ZR?
D5 weighs 720 g and ZR weighs 630 g, so the ZR is 90 g lighter.
Do the D5 and ZR record 4K video?
D5: 4K up to 60p. ZR: 6K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D5 and ZR weather sealed?
D5: Yes. ZR: Yes.
How much does each cost?
D5 launched at $6,499 and ZR at $2,199. The ZR is $4,300 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D5 vs ZR vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.