D5 (Page 2): The D5 top speed is 12 fps, the D500 has a top speed of 10 fps. And yes, 2 more fps can make a big difference when shooting sports and wildlife.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

wetreed wrote:

Without doubt forget the D5 and go with the D500, more FPS and better reach. I’ve had mine for two months and love it. You will never regret getting the D500 and with the money you save you can buy a couple of lenses.

The D5 top speed is 12 fps, the D500 has a top speed of 10 fps. And yes, 2 more fps can make a big difference when shooting sports and wildlife.

wetreed

billnikon wrote:

The D5 top speed is 12 fps, the D500 has a top speed of 10 fps. And yes, 2 more fps can make a big difference when shooting sports and wildlife.

Wow 12 FPS is really fast.

kenpic Loc: Edmonds, WA

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Z6. It would give you the most current technology in a lighter body and 12 FPS. I have had mine for 6 months and love it. Just got some great humpback whale shots last week--and shooting breaching whales is a real challenge. And as the new Z lenses come on line, you will have the best glass as well.

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

kenpic wrote:

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Z6. It would give you the most current technology in a lighter body and 12 FPS. I have had mine for 6 months and love it. Just got some great humpback whale shots last week--and shooting breaching whales is a real challenge. And as the new Z lenses come on line, you will have the best glass as well.

I have a Z6 and Z7 and while I have captured some nice action with them, they are simply not in the same league for action work as the D5, D850 or D500. The AF system isn't as good, the buffer is far smaller, and the frame rate is really only 5.5 - 12FPS is incredibly difficult to use in a fast action scenario due to the slide show effect you get. You can learn to work around it, but even so, it's just not at the same level of the DSLRs. Of course, there are more than a few advantages to mirrorless (EVF and full AF coverage not being the least of them), so again, tools for the job at hand :)

CO

kenpic wrote:

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Z6. It would give you the most current technology in a lighter body and 12 FPS. I have had mine for 6 months and love it. Just got some great humpback whale shots last week--and shooting breaching whales is a real challenge. And as the new Z lenses come on line, you will have the best glass as well.

The OP is mainly interested in wildlife and action photography. I rented the Z6 for two weeks and did side by side testing with my D500. The image quality of the Z6 is stellar from what I've seen - even a touch better than the D500. The autofocus was another story. The Z6 would often hunt in dimmer light, trying to achieve focus. I tried the low-light AF mode but it didn't seem to make a difference. My D500 would nail the focus right away in the same light. The D500 is better at continuous autofocus also.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

This is an excellent, informative thread, I have enjoyed reading this...thanks Mr. Perry.

1grumpybear

As Steve Perry said. I also own a D5 and after purchasing the D850 my D5 became the action camera and the D850 for every thing else. I tried the 850 for action but the 7 frames per second was no match for the D5s 14 frames per second. I purchased the MB-D18 battery pack but even at 9 fps is no match for the D5. I am hoping the D6 will have the D5s speed and D850s sensors combination or maybe a D5x with the 850s sensor.

Ted d Loc: Green Valley, AZ.

I've used the D4 and when the D5 came out I upgraded. I use it for wildlife, fast frames per sec, and our church events outside at night. Never needed flash as low light is all this camera needs.

jennifer graham

I love the D5 for taking pics of my daughter cheering, action etc, almost never miss focus! Great in low light. I am considering selling it to buy the 850 as i am now more in to portraits

geneg12 Loc: Virginia

I have the D5 and I agree that the higher frame rate helps capture more keepers. And I like the low light features and good construction. I also have the D850 and the combo is what I use for traveling.

I have had my D5 for 2 years and love it, I bought it from the gray market and saved $1500 and because of the build I don't think I'll ever wear it out! I would buy say the Nikon mirrorless camera that will compete with the Sony A9 when it happens but love what I have.

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

I have been owner of the D3, D4 but never got into the D5 although I love the specs and it is a sports workhorse.

The D5 has been around for several years now. I'm wondering if they are soon to come out with a D5s or a D6 or something. It's about that time.

Then again, maybe they will limit new productions since they are going the route of mirrorless.

ricardo00

Personally I would have preferred the D5 for the 12 fps and better low light abilities however the "only" 1 pound difference between the D500 and D5 felt substantial when I tried the 2 in my local camera store (not sure if those weights include the batteries?). Since I prefer shooting handheld and not carrying a tripod (loving the PF lenses for this), the extra weight of the D5 was a deal breaker for me. Maybe if Nikon comes out with a mirrorless D5 equivalent (focussing ability of the Sony A9) that was lighter than a D500 I would go for that.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

12 fps is nice for bursts, but if you can make do without the mirror flapping (no re-focusing or exposure changes) the D5 can go to 14 fps. You might need the refocus for action shots.

ricardo00

DirtFarmer wrote:

12 fps is nice for bursts, but if you can make do without the mirror flapping (no re-focusing or exposure changes) you the D5 can go to 14 fps. You might need the refocus for action shots.

Well the A9 goes to 20 fps, not sure if it is continually refocusing, but I would think a mirrorless
D5 could do that as well!

n4jee Loc: New Bern, NC

If you are a pro and can depreciate it, buy it. If you've got money to burn and want it, by all means buy it. I've owned a D100, D200, D300 and D810. I've found that the Dnnn line is a great value in photo equipment. However when I found a D2x in like new condition with a very low shutter count, I bought it just to own a camera that cost $6k new. The thing I like about it is that I don't need a conceiled weapon permit and being built like a tank it would make a great weapon. (I doubt the inexpensive lens mounted on it would survive)