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Nikon D5 vs Nikon D6

Portability
50
Imaging
70
Features
84
Overall
75
Nikon D5 front
 
Nikon D6 front
Portability
50
Imaging
74
Features
85
Overall
78

Nikon D5 vs Nikon D6 Key Specs

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
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D4s
  • Replacement is Nikon D6
Nikon D6
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Push to 3280000)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1270g - 160 x 163 x 92mm
  • Introduced February 2020
  • Replaced the Nikon D5
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Nikon D5 vs Nikon D6 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Nikon D5 versus Nikon D6, both Pro DSLR cameras and both are offered by Nikon. The resolution of the D5 (21MP) and the D6 (21MP) is pretty close and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (Full frame).

Photography Glossary

The D5 was brought out 5 years earlier than the D6 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Large SLR).

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the D5 scores against the D6 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5 over the Nikon D6

 D5 D6 

Reasons to pick Nikon D6 over the Nikon D5

 D6 D5 
IntroducedFebruary 2020January 2016More modern by 49 months

Common features in the Nikon D5 and Nikon D6

 D5 D6 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3.2"Equal screen dimensions
Screen resolution2359k2359kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Nikon D5 vs Nikon D6 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D5 has exterior 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) while the Nikon D6 has sizing of 160mm x 163mm x 92mm (6.3" x 6.4" x 3.6") having a weight of 1270 grams (2.80 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D5 versus Nikon D6 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the D5 and the D6.

Nikon D5 vs Nikon D6 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the D5 and D6 is 50 and 50 respectively.

Nikon D5 vs Nikon D6 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5 vs Nikon D6 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizes purely by looking through a spec sheet. The picture underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D5 and D6.

As you can see, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of images however you might want to take the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged D5 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D5 vs Nikon D6 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5 vs Nikon D6 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5 vs Nikon D6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5 Portrait photography advice
Nikon D6 Portrait photography advice
82
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (21MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
84
has manual focus
good MP (21MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5 Street photography details
Nikon D6 Street photography details
60
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
above average ISO range (102,400)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
62
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
supports focus by touch
environment proof
above average high ISO (102,400)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5 Sports photography advice
Nikon D6 Sports photography advice
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery power (3,780 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
80
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
good MP (21MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
great battery pack (3,580 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5 Travel photography details
Nikon D6 Travel photography details
64
better than average battery power (3,780 shots)
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
68
great battery pack (3,580 per charge)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
supports focus by touch
good MP (21MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D5
Landscape photography with Nikon D6
78
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (102,400)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
better than average battery power (3,780 shots)
two card slots
no image stabilization
80
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
good MP (21 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average high ISO (102,400)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
great battery pack (3,580 per charge)
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D5
Vlogging with Nikon D6
30
touchscreen functionality
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes microphone socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
30
touchscreen functionality
offers face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external microphone socket
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
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Nikon D5 vs Nikon D6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5 and Nikon D6
 Nikon D5Nikon D6
General Information
Company Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D5 Nikon D6
Type Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Launched 2016-01-05 2020-02-11
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 5 Expeed 6
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.8 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 855.6mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 21 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5588 x 3712 5568 x 3712
Max native ISO 102400 102400
Max enhanced ISO 3280000 3280000
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 153 105
Cross type focus points 99 105
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Nikon F
Number of lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2" 3.2"
Display resolution 2,359k dots 2,359k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.72x 0.72x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 900 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 14.0 frames per sec 14.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Normal, redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, rear-curtain sync, off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1415g (3.12 lbs) 1270g (2.80 lbs)
Physical dimensions 160 x 158.5 x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") 160 x 163 x 92mm (6.3" x 6.4" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 88 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 25.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 2434 not tested
Other
Battery life 3780 shots 3580 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL18a -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual CompactFlash or dual XQD Dual XQD/CFexpress slots
Card slots 2 2
Cost at release $6,500 $6,496