Battle Of The Titans: Nikon D5 Vs Nikon D800 – Which One Reigns Supreme?
What To Know
- The Nikon D5 has a wider ISO range than the D800, which gives it a better advantage in low-light conditions.
- The D5 can shoot up to 3700 shots on a single charge, while the D800 can only shoot up to 900 shots on a single charge.
- The D5’s longer battery life makes it a better choice for photographers who need a camera that can last for a long time without needing to be recharged.
Nikon D5 and Nikon D800 are two of the most popular DSLRs on the market. Both cameras offer excellent image quality, fast performance, and a wide range of features. But which one is the right camera for you?
In this blog post, we’ll compare the Nikon D5 and D800 side-by-side and help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.
Sensor and Image Quality
The Nikon D5 has a 20.8-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, while the D800 has a 36.3-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor. Both cameras offer excellent image quality, but the D800 has a slight edge in terms of resolution.
The D800’s higher resolution makes it a better choice for landscape photography, portrait photography, and other genres where fine detail is important. The D5’s lower resolution makes it a better choice for sports photography, wildlife photography, and other genres where speed is more important than resolution.
Processor and Performance
The Nikon D5 has a faster processor than the D800, which gives it a significant advantage in terms of speed. The D5 can shoot up to 12 frames per second (fps) in continuous shooting mode, while the D800 can only shoot up to 4 fps.
The D5’s faster processor also makes it better at autofocus. The D5 has a 153-point autofocus system, while the D800 has a 51-point autofocus system. The D5’s autofocus system is more accurate and faster than the D800’s autofocus system, which makes it a better choice for tracking moving subjects.
ISO Range and Low-Light Performance
The Nikon D5 has a wider ISO range than the D800, which gives it a better advantage in low-light conditions. The D5 can shoot at ISO 100-102,400, while the D800 can only shoot at ISO 100-6400.
The D5’s wider ISO range makes it a better choice for shooting in dark environments, such as night photography, astrophotography, and indoor photography. The D800’s lower ISO range makes it a better choice for shooting in bright environments, such as outdoor photography and studio photography.
Build Quality and Weather Sealing
The Nikon D5 has a magnesium alloy body, while the D800 has a polycarbonate body. The D5’s magnesium alloy body is more durable and weather-resistant than the D800’s polycarbonate body.
The D5 also has better weather sealing than the D800. The D5 is weather-sealed against dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures, while the D800 is only weather-sealed against dust and moisture.
The D5’s better build quality and weather sealing make it a better choice for photographers who need a camera that can withstand harsh conditions.
Viewfinder and LCD Screen
The Nikon D5 has a larger and brighter viewfinder than the D800. The D5’s viewfinder has a magnification of 0.72x, while the D800’s viewfinder has a magnification of 0.70x. The D5’s viewfinder also has a higher resolution than the D800’s viewfinder, which makes it easier to see the details of your shots.
The Nikon D5 has a larger and higher-resolution LCD screen than the D800. The D5’s LCD screen is 3.2 inches and has a resolution of 2.36 million dots, while the D800’s LCD screen is 3 inches and has a resolution of 921,000 dots. The D5’s larger and higher-resolution LCD screen makes it easier to review your shots and change your camera settings.
Battery Life
The Nikon D5 has a longer battery life than the D800. The D5 can shoot up to 3700 shots on a single charge, while the D800 can only shoot up to 900 shots on a single charge.
The D5’s longer battery life makes it a better choice for photographers who need a camera that can last for a long time without needing to be recharged.
Price
The Nikon D5 is more expensive than the D800. The D5 currently retails for around $6,500, while the D800 currently retails for around $3,000.
The D5’s higher price tag is due to its better image quality, faster performance, wider ISO range, better build quality, and longer battery life.
Which Camera Is Right for You?
The Nikon D5 and D800 are both excellent cameras, but they are best suited for different types of photography.
The Nikon D5 is the best choice for photographers who need a camera that can shoot fast-action subjects, such as sports and wildlife. The D5’s fast frame rate, accurate autofocus system, and wide ISO range make it ideal for these types of photography.
The Nikon D800 is the best choice for photographers who need a camera that can produce high-resolution images, such as landscape photography, portrait photography, and product photography. The D800’s high-resolution sensor and wide dynamic range make it ideal for these types of photography.
Key Points
Ultimately, the best camera for you depends on your individual needs and budget. If you need a camera that can shoot fast-action subjects, the Nikon D5 is the best choice. If you need a camera that can produce high-resolution images, the Nikon D800 is the best choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the main differences between the Nikon D5 and D800?
A: The main differences between the Nikon D5 and D800 are:
- Sensor resolution: The D5 has a 20.8-megapixel sensor, while the D800 has a 36.3-megapixel sensor.
- Frame rate: The D5 can shoot up to 12 fps, while the D800 can only shoot up to 4 fps.
- Autofocus system: The D5 has a 153-point autofocus system, while the D800 has a 51-point autofocus system.
- ISO range: The D5 has an ISO range of 100-102,400, while the D800 has an ISO range of 100-6400.
- Build quality and weather sealing: The D5 has a magnesium alloy body and is weather-sealed against dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures, while the D800 has a polycarbonate body and is only weather-sealed against dust and moisture.
- Viewfinder and LCD screen: The D5 has a larger and brighter viewfinder and a larger and higher-resolution LCD screen than the D800.
- Battery life: The D5 has a longer battery life than the D800.
Q: Which camera is better for sports and wildlife photography?
A: The Nikon D5 is the better choice for sports and wildlife photography. The D5’s fast frame rate, accurate autofocus system, and wide ISO range make it ideal for these types of photography.
Q: Which camera is better for landscape and portrait photography?
A: The Nikon D800 is the better choice for landscape and portrait photography. The D800’s high-resolution sensor and wide dynamic range make it ideal for these types of photography.
