Nikon D5 - first impressions

[Erik Lund]

Truly read write performance indeed!

I'm sure the low light AF performance is amazing why would it not be Every singe new incarnation of these D have been better and better in this regard 

[Andy]

For those who rather prefer watching video reviews.
The water test at 7 mins into the video is not reommended to replicate ... (This goes beyond my understanding of sturdiness and ruggedness a camera is build for)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uHWVBLuaLg&feature=youtu.be

rgds, Andy

[Herbie49]

Interesting comparison between D5 and D810, but also with Canon and Sony cameras.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCwk-Obu0dA
Conclusion: The D810 is still a superb camera which for most photographers will be the better choice.

[Ilkka Nissilä]

Conclusion: The D810 is still a superb camera which for most photographers will be the better choice.

Well the d810 is due an update soon, with the D5's AF system (or some adoptation of it). There is no point in not making the high res model have the best AF; the linear only points outside of the center columns is (and always was) very limiting and an absurd design decision IMO, basically most if not all portrait orientation full body shots suffer from not having reliable AF on the face, this affects portrait shooting, concerts, sports etc. I think the broad coverage with cross type AF sensor points in the 1D X / 5D III allowed Canon to obtain a stronghold even with lesser image quality sensors that they had at the time compared to Nikon. In a high resolution camera, reliable AF is paramount to actually make something out of the increased resolution (unless it is used for landscape etc. of course)

 I would expect an announcement of the D810's successor later this year.

[Tersn]

I have heard that the D5 has more low ISO noise than the D4s (and D810). Does anyone here have any experience with that? Thankful for any opinions. I have got a D5 on hold till tomorrow and have problems making up my mind.

[Frank Fremerey]

Terje: The D5 is for fast action and high ISO. Sports & Wildlife with big glass. It is not worse in low ISO than a D3s. Just look at the beginning of this thread where all these questions are discussed long and broad

[Tersn]

Terje: The D5 is for fast action and high ISO. Sports & Wildlife with big glass. It is not worse in low ISO than a D3s. Just look at the beginning of this thread where all these questions are discussed long and broad

 Frank: Of course, I know all about that. I am mainly interested in real life experience with the camera, not just a few hours of trying it out. The D5 has been available for some time now so some people have had a chance to test it relatively thoroughly.

[Michael Anderson]

I faced the same predicament as you and cancelled the order. Hoping for a D5X.

[Frank Fremerey]

My current verdict from what I hear from all my friends with a D5 is that the "theoretical trouble at low ISO" is more of an annoyance in theory than it is in practical work.

[Tersn]

Michael:
Interesting that someone else has been thinking about the low iso performance too.

Frank.
I hope so and have been surfing around and found some intersting view points; should be able to make a qualified decision by tomorrow 

[Ilkka Nissilä]

I am mainly interested in real life experience with the camera, not just a few hours of trying it out.

Brad Hill comments on his experiences with the D5 quite extensively in his blog.

Edit: If the metering is more accurate (as he suggests) then the need to do corrections in post (requiring often discussed DR) should be less frequent.

[MFloyd]

My current verdict from what I hear from all my friends with a D5 is that the "theoretical trouble at low ISO" is more of an annoyance in theory than it is in practical work.

Hereby, an interactive comparaison chart http://www.photonstophotos.net/Charts/PDR.htm#Nikon%20D4S,Nikon%20D5,Nikon%20D810

Low ISO performance is lower than the D4s, D810, or D610.  It is still higher / comparable to all the pro bodies of Canon.  Nothing dramatical. still well above all current view supports (screen, paper etc).  And an absolute performer above ISO 6400, which was, until very recent, forbidden territory for professional applications 

[Tersn]

MFloyd and Ilkka N. :

Thanks for your reminders. I have been reading a lot of tests and comments today on the D5 and am slowly starting to make up my mind.

[JohnBrew]

Very late to this thread, but I must congratulate Andy on a job well done and very impressed with the D5 sensor. Any chance of an updated Df w/D5 sensor?

[Jan Anne]

Not sure if this link was mentioned already but here's memory speeds test with the D5 and some XQD cards:
http://www.cameramemoryspeed.com/nikon-d5/fastest-xqd-cards/