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Nikon P520 vs Nikon D5

Portability
66
Imaging
42
Features
51
Overall
45
Nikon Coolpix P520 front
 
Nikon D5 front
Portability
50
Imaging
71
Features
84
Overall
76

Nikon P520 vs Nikon D5 Key Specs

Nikon P520
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1000mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 550g - 125 x 84 x 102mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Earlier Model is Nikon P510
  • Later Model is Nikon P530
Nikon D5
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Push to 3280000)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1415g - 160 x 158.5 x 92mm
  • Released January 2016
  • Succeeded the Nikon D4s
  • Later Model is Nikon D6
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Nikon P520 vs Nikon D5 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Nikon P520 vs Nikon D5, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Pro DSLR and they are both created by Nikon. The image resolution of the P520 (18MP) and the D5 (21MP) is very well matched but the P520 (1/2.3") and D5 (Full frame) boast different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The P520 was brought out 3 years earlier than the D5 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Nikon P520 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon D5 being a Large SLR camera.

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief view of how the P520 grades vs the D5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P520 over the Nikon D5

 P520 D5 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon D5 over the Nikon P520

 D5 P520 
ReleasedJanuary 2016January 2013More modern by 35 months
Display resolution2359k921kClearer display (+1438k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon P520 and Nikon D5

 P520 D5 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display dimensions3.2"3.2"Equal display size

Nikon P520 vs Nikon D5 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon P520 comes with physical measurements of 125mm x 84mm x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") having a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Nikon D5 has measurements of 160mm x 158.5mm x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 1415 grams (3.12 lbs).

Look at the Nikon P520 vs Nikon D5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the P520 and the D5.

Nikon P520 vs Nikon D5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the P520 and D5 is 66 and 50 respectively.

Nikon P520 vs Nikon D5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P520 vs Nikon D5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor sizes only by reading through a spec sheet. The picture below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the P520 and D5.

Clearly, both the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The P520 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Nikon D5 will give more detail having its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged P520 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Nikon P520 vs Nikon D5 sensor size comparison

Nikon P520 vs Nikon D5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P520 vs Nikon D5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P520 Portrait photography details
Nikon D5 Portrait photography details
41
has manual focus
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
82
manual focus
decent megapixels (21MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon P520 Street photography factors
Nikon D5 Street photography factors
51
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than average (550g)
60
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
great high ISO (102,400)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon D5 as a Sports photography camera
46
incredible zoom range (24-1000mm 41.7 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
decent megapixels (21MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
great battery life (3,780 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D5 as a Travel photography camera
57
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (1000mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
heavier than average (550g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
64
great battery life (3,780 CIPA)
weather sealing
decent megapixels (21MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon P520
Landscape photography with Nikon D5
46
has manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
78
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
decent megapixels (21MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
great battery life (3,780 per charge)
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P520 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D5 as a Vlogging camera
57
fairly wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not have external mic port
heavier than average (550 grams)
30
has touchscreen
includes face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have microphone support
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
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Nikon P520 vs Nikon D5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P520 and Nikon D5
 Nikon Coolpix P520Nikon D5
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon Coolpix P520 Nikon D5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Pro DSLR
Introduced 2013-01-29 2016-01-05
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Expeed 5
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 28.5mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 21 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 5:4, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4896 x 3672 5588 x 3712
Maximum native ISO 3200 102400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 3280000
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 153
Cross type focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Nikon F
Lens zoom range 24-1000mm (41.7x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.0-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Total lenses - 309
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.72x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second 14.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 550g (1.21 lbs) 1415g (3.12 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 84 x 102mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 4.0") 160 x 158.5 x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 88
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 2434
Other
Battery life 200 images 3780 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL5 EN-EL18a
Self timer - Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual CompactFlash or dual XQD
Card slots Single Two
Cost at release $380 $6,500