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Nikon D3 vs Nikon D5

Portability
50
Imaging
56
Features
63
Overall
58
Nikon D3 front
 
Nikon D5 front
Portability
50
Imaging
70
Features
84
Overall
75

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D5 Key Specs

Nikon D3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1300g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Launched April 2008
  • Successor is Nikon D3S
Nikon D5
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Expand to 3280000)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1415g - 160 x 158.5 x 92mm
  • Launched January 2016
  • Superseded the Nikon D4s
  • Refreshed by Nikon D6
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Nikon D3 vs Nikon D5 Overview

Below is a extensive review of the Nikon D3 and Nikon D5, both Pro DSLR cameras and they are both manufactured by Nikon. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the D3 (12MP) and D5 (21MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor size (Full frame).

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The D3 was brought out 8 years earlier than the D5 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Large SLR).

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summary of how the D3 matches up versus the D5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3 over the Nikon D5

 D3 D5 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5 over the Nikon D3

 D5 D3 
LaunchedJanuary 2016April 2008More recent by 93 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k922kSharper display (+1437k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon D3 and Nikon D5

 D3 D5 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D5 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon D3 has got physical measurements of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") with a weight of 1300 grams (2.87 lbs) whilst the Nikon D5 has measurements of 160mm x 158.5mm x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 1415 grams (3.12 lbs).

See the Nikon D3 and Nikon D5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the D3 against the D5.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D3 and D5 is 50 and 50 respectively.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to picture the gap in sensor measurements simply by checking out a spec sheet. The visual underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the D3 and D5.

As you can see, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Nikon D5 to show greater detail having its extra 9MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The older D3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D5 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3 Portrait photography details
Nikon D5 Portrait photography details
63
has manual focus
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
82
has manual focus
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3 Street photography advice
Nikon D5 Street photography advice
54
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
60
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
above average high ISO (102,400)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3 Sports photography features
Nikon D5 Sports photography features
65
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery (4,300 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count good (21MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery life (3,780 per charge)
comes with phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3 Travel photography features
Nikon D5 Travel photography features
51
better than average battery (4,300 CIPA)
environment proof
low MP (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
64
good battery life (3,780 per charge)
weather proofing
megapixel count good (21MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D3
Landscape photography with Nikon D5
67
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
better than average battery (4,300 per charge)
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3.2")
megapixel count good (21MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
good battery life (3,780 shots)
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D3
Vlogging with Nikon D5
9
lack of video recording
30
touchscreen capability
offers face detect autofocus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Nikon D3 vs Nikon D5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3 and Nikon D5
 Nikon D3Nikon D5
General Information
Make Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D3 Nikon D5
Class Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Launched 2008-04-18 2016-01-05
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed Expeed 5
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 23.9mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 860.4mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 21 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4256 x 2832 5588 x 3712
Highest native ISO 6400 102400
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 3280000
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 51 153
Cross type focus points 15 99
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Nikon F
Total lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 922 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.72x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames/s 14.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1300g (2.87 lbs) 1415g (3.12 lbs)
Physical dimensions 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") 160 x 158.5 x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 81 88
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 25.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 12.3
DXO Low light rating 2290 2434
Other
Battery life 4300 pictures 3780 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - EN-EL18a
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) x2 Dual CompactFlash or dual XQD
Card slots Two Two
Retail price $5,450 $6,500