Hire Nikon D5

Our thoughts

'A former flagship model in Nikon’s DSLR lineup, the D5 comes with the advanced features and bomb-proof build quality that professional action, sports and wildlife photographers expect in order to shoot the fastest and most unpredictable of subjects in the harshest of environments. Although 12fps is no longer considered rapid by today’s standards, the D5’s 153-point autofocus system with 99 sensitive cross-type points is extremely capable and a large 200-shot raw buffer capacity sees it shoot for long periods without interruption. Faster continuous shooting at up to 14fps, faster ethernet communication and wider autofocus coverage are a few reasons to consider its successor, the Nikon D6.'  

The details

• 20.8MP FX-format CMOS image sensor and EXPEED 5 image processing

• ISO 100 to 102,400 (expandable to Hi-5, ISO 3,280,000)

• Redesigned AF system with a 153 focus points, 99 cross-type sensors and a dedicated processor

• 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) video recording and pro-grade video features

• 12 fps continuous shooting with full AF and AE performance; up to 200 shots in a single burst

Shoot beyond what the eye can see with the D5 – power and precision to beat the odds. Equipped with Nikon’s incredible next-generation 153-point AF system, the D5 keeps you on track whether you’re shooting the race or the red carpet. Coverage is exceptionally wide, and a new buffer allows up to 200 NEF (RAW) images to be captured during one high-speed burst. New image and metering sensors deliver phenomenally accurate subject recognition and image detail. The highest expanded sensitivity in Nikon’s history frees you to shoot from bright sunlight to astronomical twilight. And for moviemakers who go to extremes, D-Movie enables high-definition 4K/UHD movies to be recorded in-camera.

STAY ON TOP OF YOUR GAME WITH NEXT-GENERATION 153-POINT AF AND 200 NEF (RAW) IMAGE BUFFER

Own the game with Nikon’s phenomenal new AF system. With an incredible 153 focus points and 99 cross-type sensors, the D5 offers exceptionally wide coverage. Whether you’re shooting the race or the red carpet, almost every situation is covered. Small subjects moving at high speed can be tracked with a new level of precision. Subjects at the edge of the frame are easily detected, and vertical shooting is vastly improved. AF sensitivity down to -4 EV (ISO 100, 20 °C/68 °F) enables superior low-light performance and all AF modes have been improved. The system is configurable in 153-point, 72-point and 25-point coverage settings in Continuous AF mode. All 153 focus points are compatible with AF NIKKOR lenses with an open aperture of f/5.6 or faster, and 15 central focus points work with an effective aperture of f/8. The camera’s high-performance buffer allows up to 200 NEF (RAW) or large JPEG images to be captured during one high-speed burst: enough to cover an entire 100 m sprint final without taking your finger off the shutter-release button.

BEAT THE ODDS WITH A WINNING COMBINATION OF POWER AND PRECISION

The phenomenal performance of the D5 is all you need to capture images that defy the odds. Thanks to a new AF ASIC unit, maximum computing power is allocated to AF at all times. No matter how fast the action, the camera does not compromise. Shoot at up to 12 fps with AE/AF tracking, or at up to 14 fps with the mirror up. AF tracking and viewfinder visibility are vastly improved when shooting sports, or any scene in which subjects tend to change direction suddenly. Faster sequential shutter and mirror mechanisms significantly reduce viewfinder blackout during high-speed bursts. For ultimate precision, pair the D5 with a professional NIKKOR lens equipped with SPORT VR mode, which delivers a stable viewfinder image when tracking high-speed movement.

MOVE AHEAD OF THE PACK WITH NEW METERING AND IMAGE SENSORS

The sheer imaging power of the D5 is a liberating experience. The 20.8 MP FX-format CMOS image sensor and 180K-pixel RGB metering sensor deliver phenomenally accurate subject recognition and image detail. Even if you’re shooting fast sports indoors, this camera will get you the shot. And not just any shot: tonal gradations are richer and more accurate. The D5 also boasts an 8.0 cm (3.2 in.), 2360k-dot LCD rear screen, which offers touch operation in review mode. With a level of responsiveness comparable to smartphones, this high-resolution screen means you can easily check and select key images on the spot. Shoot in Live View and you can use touch operation to change the focus point, or acquire preset Spot White Balance data, based on the selected area within the frame. 

FROM BRIGHT SUNLIGHT TO ASTRONOMICAL TWILIGHT: SHOOT BEYOND WHAT THE EYE CAN SEE

The D5 blows the possibilities for low-light shooting wide open. With a standard ISO range of 100 to 102400, the envelope is yours to push. Thanks to the camera’s new EXPEED 5 image processing engine, image quality is unprecedentedly high across the standard ISO range. This exceptionally clean performance is made possible by a signal processing system optimised for the new sensor's 25% higher pixel count. Fine noise is dramatically reduced and even cropped images shot at high ISOs retain their quality. In an incredible feat of engineering, the ISO range can now be extended to ISO 3280000 equivalent, at the Hi 5 setting. Designed for specialist use, such as surveillance or security applications, these astonishingly high ISO counts enable colour images to be captured without a flash in astronomical twilight, which is equivalent to an amazingly low 0.001 lux.

GO TO EXTREMES: 4K HIGH-DEFINITION D-MOVIES

As the first Nikon DSLR to record high-definition 4K/UHD movies in-camera, the D5 hugely exceeds the moviemaking flexibility of the D4S. 4K movies (3840x2160 pixels) can be recorded at 30p/25p/24p in dot-by-dot native pixel crop, which ensures the highest image quality. When shooting Full HD (1080p) video, you can record at frame rates up to 50p/60p in multiple sensor crop formats, including native full HD pixel crop. When filming in M mode, sensitivity for all video resolutions and crop modes can be set from ISO 100 all the way up to Hi 5. Auto ISO allows ISO 200 up to Hi 5, and lets you configure the maximum ISO settings you want to work with. The camera offers clean HDMI out: even 4K movies can be recorded to the in-camera memory card or output uncompressed to HDMI with 8-bit 4:2:2 YCbCr. HDMI output is available for all movie resolutions during remote shooting.

TURBOCHARGE YOUR WORKFLOW: HIGH-SPEED IMAGE CAPTURE AND 4X FASTER DATA TRANSFER

Faster, sharper, and easier to handle, everything about the D5 is geared towards a smoother experience. Engineered to incorporate feedback from agency photographers who spend all day shooting, this camera reduces the stress factors that come with the demands of professional photography. Ergonomically, improvements include buttons with more defined ridges and curves, which enable more intuitive control, especially when shooting through the viewfinder. New double XQD card slots easily handle the D5’s incredible capacity to shoot up to 200 NEF (RAW) images in one burst, and ensure the buffer is instantly cleared for the next burst. A new USB 3.0 port enables high-speed transfer of large amounts of data, and wireless and Ethernet connection is now 2x faster.