What's The Difference?

Nikon D5

vs

Nikon D500

vs

Nikon D800

vs

Nikon D810

vs

Nikon D7200

 

Not literally.. but why are there so many models??? What's the big difference between them all? How do I pick one based on what I need?

 

I understand some a full-frame vs not, some have differing megapixels..

Why are there different models of motor vehicles such as sedans, pick-up trucks, tractor trailers, motorcycles, etc.? Different uses. Further, different end user types as well (amateur, prosumer, professional, etc.)

 

To pick one, figure out your need. Then look at what characteristics (specs) are most desirable for your particular need. Then, look for the camera with the specs that will fulfill your present and potentially your future need.

First, the D800 is an older model, replaced in Nikon's line by the D810, so I'll leave it aside. The others:

 

The D5 and D500 are rugged cameras which can shoot at very high rates (a large number of shots per second). Professional photographers who shoot action, particularly sports, have the greatest need for these these, although their ability to take abuse and extraordinary autofocus is attractive to other photographers. The D5 has the best characteristics in very low light, while the D500 (as a DX camera) is particularly useful with long lenses.

 

The D810 has the greatest resolution and dynamic range among Nikon cameras. This is useful for many professional and amateur photographers for landscapes, architecture, portraits, weddings, etc.

 

The D7200, is an excellent all-round camera with very good resolution, dynamic range and low light characteristics for a low-light for a DX camera. From your list, it is probably the best for serious amateur photographers who don't need the level of the D810.

 

All the cameras in your list have dual memory cards, useful for avoiding the small possibility that a card will fail. Professional and serious amateurs want or need this, because losing a full card of photographs can be a disaster.

 

There are many other characteristics I haven't described, but I hope this is useful. If you want advice in choosing one, describe what kind of photography you want to do.

One good place to see the specs, side-by-side, is at Nikon's website (link).

As said, all serve a different purpose.

 

AFAIK, the D810(and the similar D800) are Nikon's highest resolution cameras and have a lot of features that make them desirable for folks who don't care about speed but want quality. By current standards, they are slow at 4fps, and the big files from them take a long time to move around.

 

The D5 is built like a tank and is fast without giving up a huge amount of image quality or dynamic range over the D800.

 

The D500 is blazing fast and also built like a tank, but is a crop sensor(DX) camera. As mentioned, if you're a sports and action photographer, this will likely work to your advantage. If you're a wide angle junkie, it's not a great camera for you.

 

I don't have the money to buy these new, but I have a D800 on lay-a-way(and hopefully off it soon). For my style of photography, it's more than fast enough-I'm also a medium and large format shooter, so "slow" is a relative term and at full blast it could squeeze off 100 frames or better in the time it takes me to compose, focus, meter, set the exposure, take the photo, and reset my Mamiya RB67 for the next shot.

 

As you move down the tier with Nikon bodies, you'll also often find that you start losing different levels of legacy support. With lower end bodies(not any of the ones you've listed) you lose the ability to meter with manual focus lenses(some folks don't care-I care a lot) and even lower on down you lose support for autofocus with lenses with a mechanical("screwdriver") linkage. That too is a big deal to me since most of my AF lenses are of that type and Nikon even still makes some(relatively high end) lenses that use that type of focusing mechanism.

 

Like I said, I found a good used D800 because I decided it was the best balance of features and quality FOR ME. I'd have done just as well with a 700-series camera, but the 800 came along and I have to admit that the resolution was appealing. Autofocus speed is not that important to me, especially since I still use an F4 a lot and it's slow and noisy even at its best(at least with screwdriver lenses). In addition, as I mentioned, I use a lot of manual focus lenses.

 

One thing worth remembering also with Nikon is that they are often hesitant to introduce state-of-the-art features on their pro level bodies, and often roll them out on their high end advanced amateur cameras a few years before they make it into a pro body. As an example, shutter priority, program, and matrix metering were in the FA long before they made it to a pro body(F4). Nikon went through a couple of models of AF cameras before rolling it out on the F4. We're firmly enough into the digital age that changes now are often incremental rather than revolutionary, but when you check the spec sheet you'll still often find that lower end models best the top end cameras in certain areas. At the same time, though, spec sheets don't take pictures, and at the end of the day you need the camera that makes the most sense for you.

They have so many models so that you would buy a lot of cameras.

The D810 is the current version and replaced the D800 (discontinued) with minor improvements.

 

The D5 is Nikon's "flagship" professional full-frame model, and the D810 is their second tier prosumer full-frame.

 

The D500 is Nikon's flagship professional DX model, while the D7200 is (arguably with the introduction of the D7500) their next lower level prosumer model.

 

Any and all will take extremely high quality pictures that will be almost impossible to tell apart at normal viewing sizes.

 

The difference is in build-quality, speed of autofocus, high ISO ability, and better handling. For which you pay a premium.

 

I think if you really can't pick out the differences from the specs and make a choice, you should simply go with the cheapest model.

Edited July 7, 2017 by rodeo_joe|1

IMHO: For a medium-serious, general interest hobbyist the D7100/7200 are the highest value choice, by far. They have excellent resolution and very acceptable performance in all technical areas, except frame rate for multiple exposures. They can use any Ai and later Nikkor lens with or without autofocus, They can be had at very reasonable prices, even new, and particularly used or refurbished. There are cheaper and less capable Nikon bodies, and more expensive (much more expensive) high-end bodies that meet very particular needs or purposes, but will not make better images outside those highly specialized conditions. Even the new D7500 is a step down in general use, since it is lower resolution (20mp vs 24mp), and lacks the aperture feeler for older, manual-focus lenses. The D7100/7200 are NOT the least expensive, entry level bodies, but they absolutely offer the biggest bang for the buck.

They have so many models so that you would buy a lot of cameras.

 

They can always say "Well, the camera you bought is not good for you just because you bought the wrong one. You should have bought the Dxxxx instead". And so you keep buying and buying.

Check out Nikon website and decide camera that suitable for you.

You should try Nikon D3400.

One may argue about choices and what features are included in what, and may carp about whether the manufacturer is giving us all that it should, but in any event they can't support a healthy market by selling only the most expensive deluxe models.

 

Aside from various other considerations, one cannot also forget size and weight. I travel a lot, and even the D7100 I'm using these days is a little bulky, though doable. I used a D3200 for several years, sacrificing features i would have liked for small size and low price. Not only is it easy to accommodate, it won't break your heart or your wallet if it falls in the ocean or is stolen. Horses for courses. I'm very happy with the added features of the D7100 for sure, and glad to have it, but even so I sometimes wish it were smaller.

 

Would I be happy with a D500? Sure, you bet, most of the time I'd love it I'm sure, and it's an indulgence I could easily afford if I thought it necessary. But I'm happy not to have to carry it or to risk losing it. There are compromises involved at both ends of the spectrum.

How do I pick one based on what I need?.

 

EXACTLY!!! What is it that you need? You must first answer that.

 

Then select the ideal camera for what you need. Then layer on the constraints, e.g., budget, size/weight, etc... As others have stated, at some point, you will reach the best option for your needs.

 

I have a D500 because, on occasion, I shoot birds in flight and wildlife in general -- for this, I wanted a DX body and fast AF.

 

I also have a D800e because I want a full frame DSLR with a lot of megapixels so I can make large prints. I chose not to upgrade to the D810. The rumored D810 replacement, with more megapixels and the same AF speed as the D5, sounds very interesting -- if I can afford it.

As others explained, each model has different characteristics that optimise for a given sort of photography. Nikon is not the only one, Canon has an equally ample line-up. Overall, considering different cameras the amount of choices only gets bigger: medium format, rangefinders, mirrorless cameras and DSLRs are all digital cameras with exchangeable lenses. Each type of camera has certain advantages and disadvantages, making it more or less suitable for different genres and styles of photography. This isn't just about megapixels and full frame versus APS (or m4/3rd), but also about autofocus capabilities, available lenses and lighting options, ergonomics of the body, weight, noise (shutter slap or not), the possibility to work tethered etc. etc.

 

All these choices exist for a reason, so it's safe to say there is no "one size fits all" kind of camera that does everything equally well. As many photographers have different needs and preferences, there is a need for different tools to serve all.

 

Frankly, if you need to ask the question why different models exist, I would seriously recommend to take one of the starter bodies (D3x00, D5x00 in case of Nikon) and get your feet wet. The D7x00 (indeed arguably the best value) already have a steeper learning curve. Cameras as the D5, D810 and D500 are specialists tools, relatively costly, and something you're unlikely to get the best from unless you know what they excel at. As experience grows, it will become self-evident which kind of camera will work for you.