Nikon D800E vs Nikon D5

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Nikon D800E vs Nikon D5

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35mm 861.6mm²
36.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D800E Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D800E.

35mm 858.0mm²
20.8 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5.
Compare Nikon D5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D810
Compare D800E vs D810

Succeeded by the Nikon D6
Compare D5 vs D6

Compare NIKON D810 vs NIKON D6

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Differences

Nikon D800E advantages over Nikon D5

Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D800E test data on DxO Mark D5 test data on DxO Mark

2,979 vs 2,343 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D800E test data on DxO Mark D5 test data on DxO Mark

14.3 vs 12.3 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Lighter weight
1008g vs 1415g
Lighter weight
More pixels
36.3 vs 20.8 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Nikon D5 advantages over Nikon D800E

Bigger pixels
~ 6.45 vs 4.88 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

3780 vs 900 shots
Capture more photos
More cross-type AF points
99 vs 15
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
9 years vs 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
590k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.13 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More AF points
153 vs 51
More AF points improve autofocus
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
12.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 54 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
183 vs 18 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
3276800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D800E User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D800E

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Body Only (CF Version)
Body Only (XQD Version)
Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition (XQD)

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Review Excerpt

Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution, even more than the D800; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.
Moire problem with certain subjects; Very large files; Slower frame rate; Battery life lower than D700.
Read our Nikon D800E Review

Excellent image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 153-point autofocus system; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K video recording; Pro-quality camera body; Outstanding battery life.
Large and heavy body might not be right for all; Loud shutter; Underutilized touchscreen; Low ISO dynamic range not as good as predecessor; Extended high ISOs not very useful; Sluggish Live View AF.
Read our Nikon D5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D800

Nikon D800E

Nikon D800

$2212
35mm

Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1850
35mm

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D800E vs Nikon D800

Nikon D5

Nikon D800

$4893
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

$1850
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D800

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D800E

Canon 5D Mark III

$2212
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$2079
35mm

Bigger pixels
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D800E vs Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D5

Canon 5D Mark III

$4893
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$2079
35mm

Less expensive
Lighter weight

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D800E

Nikon D4S

$2212
35mm

Internal flash
Lighter weight

$5399
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Nikon D800E vs Nikon D4S

Nikon D5

Nikon D4S

$4893
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$5399
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Nikon D810

Nikon D800E

Nikon D810

$2212
35mm

Fast startup

$2246
35mm

Longer stills battery life
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Nikon D800E vs Nikon D810

Nikon D5

Nikon D810

$4893
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

$2246
35mm

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D810

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D800E

Canon 1DX Mark II

$2212
35mm

Fast startup
Internal flash

$2999
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D800E vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark II

$4893
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$2999
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

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