Decision tools · Compare
D3S vs D5
Quick take: The D5 has the highest resolution at 21MP; the D3S is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Nikon
D5 2016
Best for Professional Sports, Photojournalism & Wildlife
£1800
list price · used from £819 at Wex Photo Video
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
D5 — Professional Sports, Photojournalism & Wildlife: Nikon's ultimate pro DSLR and a certified space traveller — the D5's 153-point AF, 12fps, and ISO 3,280,000 made it the weapon of choice for Olympic and space photography.
Who should buy what
D5 (2016)
is the right camera for you if…
- Sports and wildlife photographers with an F-mount telephoto investment
- Photojournalists who need the fastest, most reliable DSLR AF available
- Nikon system professionals looking for a flagship body at used prices
- Collectors of cameras with a documented space pedigree
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | D3SNikon · 2009 | D5Nikon · 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £268Best | £1,800 |
| Sensor | 12.1MP full-frame CMOS | 20.8MP full-frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 12.1MP | 20.8MPBest |
| Video | 720p/24 | 4K UHD 30fps (heavy sensor crop) |
| Autofocus | 51-point phase-detect (15 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF in live view (tripod mode) | Multi-CAM 20K 153-point AF system, 99 cross-type |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | — |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 12fps mechanicalBest |
| Battery Life | ~4200 shots (CIPA)Best | ~3780 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 1420g (with battery) | 1405g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 159.5 × 157 × 87.5mm | 160 × 158.5 × 92mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x | OVF 0.72× magnification, 100% coverage |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 920k dots | 3.2" fixed touchscreen, 2.36M dots |
| Mount | Nikon F mount | Nikon F mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual CompactFlash slots | Dual XQD slots (XQD variant) |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, mini HDMI, 3.5mm mic jack, 10-pin remote | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet (RJ-45), USB 3.0 |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
D3S
D5
Portrait
5.5/10
6.0/10
Street
3.7/10
3.9/10
Travel
3.8/10
4.0/10
Wedding & Events
6.5/10
6.8/10
Documentary
4.4/10
5.5/10
Sports & Action
6.2/10
6.7/10
Landscape
4.6/10
5.3/10
Wildlife
6.0/10
6.5/10
Casual
2.0/10
2.9/10
Food
3.5/10
4.3/10
Macro
3.1/10
3.6/10
Architecture
4.1/10
4.9/10
Astrophotography
6.6/10
6.3/10
Filmmaking
—
5.5/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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