Upgrade Guide
Nikon D5→Nikon Z fc
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the D5. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the Z fc
-
StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
-
Generation5 years newer (2021 vs 2016)
Unchanged or similar
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ResolutionSimilar (21MP)
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Weather sealingNot present in new body
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | D5 | Z fc | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.5 | ||
| Street | +2.7 | ||
| Travel | +1.9 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -1.9 | ||
| Filmmaking | -0.8 | ||
| Documentary | -0.6 | ||
| Sports & Action | -0.5 | ||
| Landscape | -0.5 | ||
| Wildlife | +0.1 | ||
| Casual | +2.7 | ||
| Food | +1.8 | ||
| Macro | +2.2 | ||
| Architecture | +0.4 | ||
| Astrophotography | -1.0 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — | ||
| Fun & simple | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | D5 | Z fc | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,800 | £799 | |
| Released | 2016 | 2021 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 20.8MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 21MP | 21MP | ↑ |
| Video | 4K UHD 30fps (heavy sensor crop) | 4K/30p oversampled (uncropped), 1080p/60p | |
| Autofocus | Multi-CAM 20K 153-point AF system, 99 cross-type | Hybrid phase-detect AF with eye/face detection | |
| Stabilisation | — | No stabilisation | |
| Burst Rate | 12fps mechanical | 11fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~3780 shots (CIPA) | 300 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 1405g (body only) | 445g (with battery and card) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Not weather sealed | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | OVF 0.72× magnification, 100% coverage | EVF, 2.36M dots | |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed touchscreen, 2.36M dots | Vari-angle touchscreen | |
| Mount | Nikon F mount | Nikon Z-mount | |
| Memory Cards | Dual XQD slots (XQD variant) | Single SD (UHS-I) |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See D5 and Z fc next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the Z fc against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the D5
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Camera family history