Nikon D800 vs Nikon Z5
54 Imaging
72 Features
80 Overall
75


62 Imaging
76 Features
86 Overall
80
Nikon D800 vs Nikon Z5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 25600)
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
- Released June 2012
- Earlier Model is Nikon D700
- New Model is Nikon D810
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 102400)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Nikon Z Mount
- 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
- Introduced July 2020

Nikon D800 vs Nikon Z5 Overview
Its time to take a closer look at the Nikon D800 vs Nikon Z5, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless and both are manufactured by Nikon. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the D800 (36MP) and Z5 (24MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (Full frame).

The D800 was manufactured 9 years before the Z5 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D800 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a simple view of how the D800 scores vs the Z5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon D800 vs Nikon Z5 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D800 and Nikon Z5. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon D800 Gallery and Nikon Z5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Nikon Z5
D800 | Z5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Nikon D800
Z5 | D800 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2020 | ![]() | June 2012 | More modern by 98 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 921k | Clearer display (+119k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Nikon D800 and Nikon Z5
D800 | Z5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 3.2" | Equivalent display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen |
Nikon D800 vs Nikon Z5 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D800 has external measurements of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) whilst the Nikon Z5 has sizing of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs).
Compare the Nikon D800 vs Nikon Z5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the D800 compared to the Z5.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the D800 and Z5 is 54 and 62 respectively.

Nikon D800 vs Nikon Z5 Sensor Comparison
Often, its difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes simply by checking a spec sheet. The image below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the D800 and Z5.
As you can see, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Nikon D800 to give more detail due to its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged D800 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D800 vs Nikon Z5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800 vs Nikon Z5 Specifications
Nikon D800 | Nikon Z5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Nikon |
Model type | Nikon D800 | Nikon Z5 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced Mirrorless |
Released | 2012-06-11 | 2020-07-20 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed 3 | Expeed 6 |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 35.9 x 24mm | 35.9 x 23.9mm |
Sensor surface area | 861.6mm² | 858.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 36 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 5:4 and 3:2 | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 6016 x 4016 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 51200 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 25600 | 102400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 51 | 273 |
Cross type focus points | 15 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon F | Nikon Z |
Number of lenses | 309 | 15 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 3.2 inch | 3.2 inch |
Display resolution | 921 thousand dots | 1,040 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 3,690 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.8x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0fps | 4.5fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync | Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250s | 1/200s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) | 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 |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 3840x2160 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | Yes |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 900 gr (1.98 lbs) | 675 gr (1.49 lbs) |
Dimensions | 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") | 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 95 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 25.3 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 14.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 2853 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 900 shots | 470 shots |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL15 | EN-EL15c |
Self timer | Yes (2 to 20 sec, 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 sec) | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) |
Card slots | Two | Two |
Price at release | $2,999 | $1,399 |