Nikon D5 sensor review 2019

Targeting sports and wildlife photographers, the Nikon D5 has a new 20.8-Mpix full-frame CMOS sensor with ISO of 100 to 102,400 and is extensible up to 3,280,000.

 According to Nikon, higher ISOs benefit from the use of filter arrays with better light transmission. The D5 also boasts continuous shooting at 12 fps, with continuous AF and AE in 14-bit RAW (+ JPEG Fine - D5a / XQD model only) with 200-shot buffer, and 14 fps without continuous AF and AE. till. .

 The new camera boasts an all-new 153-point AF system, which includes 99 cross-type sensors - three times as many as D4s, and about seven times as many cross-types.
 

Cross-type sensors are both vertical and horizontal line-sensitive and are believed to be superior to specific vertical-only types.

 Combined with the 180K pixel RGB metering sensor, this should at least theoretically improve object tracking.

Other notable features include a 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD with 2.36M-dot resolution, and internal recording of UHD 4K video using a 1.3x crop mode with a somewhat restricted three-minute time limit.

 The new model measures 6.3 x 6.2 x 3.6 ”/ 160 x 158.5 x 92 mm and weighs 3.11 pounds / 1415 grams, body only (with battery and card).

 

 Nikon D5 sensor

The D5 is available in two versions: either with dual XQD slots or with dual CFs. It is available at a body-only price of only $ 6,499 (USD).

    20.8-Mpix Full-Frame CMOS Sensor

    5 expanded image processor

    3.2. 2.36 m-dot touchscreen lcd monitor

  Nikon D5 sensor  Specifications and Features  4K UHD video at 30/25 / 24p

    Multi-CAM 20K 153-Point AF System

    Native ISO 102,400; Expansion to ISO 3,280,000

    Shooting 12 fps in RAW for 200 shots with AE / AF

    180K-pixel RGB metering sensor and cluster area AF

    1000 Base-T Gigabit Wired LAN Support

Nikon D5 sensor The measurement

With an overall DxOMark score of 88 points, the sensor performance of the new Nikon D5 is comparable to the lower-resolution (16-Mpix) Nikon D4 / D4s and Nikon Df, which use the respective sensors;

 But this is slightly behind the Sony-built 24-Mpix sensor in the D750 / D810 series, the D750, D610 and the Sony-built 36-Mpix sensor. Although the D5's score is slightly lower than expected, the sensor still performs at a very high level overall, especially given that the camera is being marketed for action and sports photographers need ultra-high- Need for speed capture rates, and also considering that it has some 4K (UHD) video capability.

Comparison 1: Nikon D5 vs Nikon D4s vs Nikon D3s: D5 makes better DR at higher ISO
Against its predecessor, the 16-Mpix Nikon D4s, the new model's sensor has better color sensitivity at the base (ISO 100) and is higher than the earlier 12-Mpix D3s - though in fairness, the latter model has a base of up to ISO 200. Was limited.

Around ISO 800, all three models share a similar result. In terms of dynamic range, both D4s and D3s perform equally, where ISO settings overlap, at least up to ISO 3200. At the same time, through ISO 12800, the D4 sensor has almost a one-stop correction.

 Similarly, the D5 sensor has a slightly wider dynamic range at the same sensitivity range and beyond ISO 25600, but prevents the excellent dynamic range of the D4s between the base and ISO 400. Interestingly, the new model replicates the D3 for low ISO at most ISOs. 400, with the added benefit of lower native ISO settings.

 Despite the high color sensitivity that indicates low noise levels, the Nikon D5 falls just one-third of the stop behind the D4 in our low-light ISO scores, and a half-stop below the D3. In real terms, this is not a big deal, its advantages elsewhere, and especially compared to competing products.


Comparison 2: Nikon D5 vs Canon EOS-1 DX vs Leica SL (Type 601): Excellent DR at high ISO
At the time of writing, we are yet to see the recently announced Canon EOS 1Dx KII, the main rival of the Nikon D5.

 Each has a similar resolution sensor, the two flagship models are never close - but this is a comparison that we will have to make another day. Compared to the current 18-Mpix Canon EOS 1Dx, the Nikon D5 sensor performs slightly better than Canon for almost every metric save for low-light ISOs. As we have previously noted, sensors that exhibit a mid-range gain in DR typically exhibit slightly higher noise levels at those higher ISOs.

 Nevertheless, the Nikon D5 is still around a quarter of the rear of the EOS 1Dx. The 24-Mpix Leica SL, our second comparative camera, has an external, though high burst rate (albeit with a smaller buffer) and 4K video, not to mention the price, making it a contender on paper. At first glance, the sensor performs very well, achieving the same overall score as the Nikon D5. However, most of the gain is achieved at low ISOs, where it excels.

 It does not perform well enough for either the Canon EOS 1Dx or the new Nikon D5 for low-light DR or low-light ISOs, which is more than one-third stop behind the Nikon and more than a stop-end in the latter category. is. Formerly an average of half or so above ISO1600.

The conclusion

Moving from a 16-Mpix to a 20.8-Mpix sensor is quite important for professionals, and higher ISO DR improvements are useful in a camera like this. In terms of sensor resolution, the Nikon D5 now closely matches the aging Canon EOS 1Ds Mk II, a camera still widely used for magazine features (think double-page spreads) as well as commercial photography is done.

 While it is true that models such as the Nikon D810 (and the Canon EOS 5DS and SR) are arguably more suited to that type of work, the Nikon D5 represents a tipping point in non-all-capacity.

With its excellent sensor performance, unprecedented AF system, impressive burst rate and durable construction, the Nikon D5 is clearly optimized to appeal to those targeted by the company's marketing department, yet its capabilities to other types of photographers as well Should be tempted, whether they own Nikon. D810 or not.