A quick weekend recap of all Nikon D5/D500 posts from this blog and around the Web:
Nikon D5
- The new Sony XQD M series memory cards designed for the Nikon D5 will be available in the U.S. at the end of May
- First Nikon D5 camera review now online
- The memory card slots in the Nikon D5 camera (XQD or CF) can be exchanged
- Rumor: 90% of the Nikon D5 production will be XQD versions
- Nikon D5 high ISO sample (LCD screenshots only)
- Nikon D5 specifications and features explained (confidential Nikon internal document)
- Nikon D5 vs. D4s vs. D3s specifications comparison
- Nikon D5 additional coverage
- Nikon D5, D500, SB-5000 pre-order links
- Nikon D5, D500, SB-5000, KeyMission 360 and SnapBridge promo and hands-on videos
- Nikon D5 DSLR camera, SB-5000 Speedlight and WT-6A wireless transmitter officially announced
Nikon D500
- Nikon D500 high ISO sample (LCD screenshots only)
- Nikon D500 specifications and features explained (confidential Nikon internal document)
- Sony introduces new SD and XQD cards designed for the Nikon D5 and D500 cameras
Nikon D500 vs. D7200 vs. D300s specifications comparison - Additional Nikon D500 coverage
- Nikon D5, D500, SB-5000 pre-order links
- Nikon D5, D500, SB-5000, KeyMission 360 and SnapBridge promo and hands-on videos
- Nikon D500 DSLR DX camera officially announced
Nikon D5/D500 coverage from around the Web:
Nikon D5
“Because this camera is designed for use by the world’s top photojournalist and sports photographers, in what could often be less-than-deal conditions, it is built extremely tough. The entire body is constructed from magnesium alloy and it is fully weather-sealed. The shutter is also rated to 400,000 actuations.” (dpreview)
However, with no cards in the camera to save test snaps we couldn’t record how fast the camera will write files – but Nikon’s claim is that the buffer is good for 200 successive NEF raw files at this pace. Wows. Such a data rate also means video capture now reaches 4K UHD (3,840 x 2160) resolution at up to 30fps. (pocket-lint)
But the coolest addition has nothing to do with buttons. It’s the new 3.2-inch fixed touchscreen XGA LCD, which allegedly works even when you’re wearing gloves. It isn’t used for menu navigation, but it has smartphone-esque functions for things like selecting an AF point, zooming in on photos to check focus, and even—finally!—using spot white balance in live view. (reviewed)
Nikon D500
“As you would expect, the D500 feels very solid in your hands and there’s no doubt this camera is intended to be a workhorse. The top and rear of the camera are magnesium alloy, while the front is made of carbon fiber. Nikon claims it has the same level of weather sealing as the D810.” (dpreview)
Nikon also seems to have improved the contrast detection AF system that operates when the camera is in live view or video mode. Even in quite low light I found it quicker and smoother than the systems in Nikon’s other DX format cameras. It’s not as fast as the phase detection system that operates when images are composed in the viewfinder, or as fast as the best systems in compact system cameras, but it’s good and my first impressions are that it would be practical to use when the camera is hand-held. Manual focus is still likely to be the preferred option for video shooters though. (techradar)
My initial shooting indicates that noise is controlled well in the standard sensitivity range (ISO 100-51,200) and even the lower expansion settings, but I’m yet to be convinced that the uppermost setting (ISO 1,640,000) will produce usable results. Time and a full production sample will tell. (digitalcameraworld)
We tested out the camera’s continuous autofocus (AF-C) mode with 3D, 153- and 72-point arrangements on the CES show floor and it’s lightning fast, slipping between subject depths at pace, while locking onto subjects with a subtle depress of the shutter.
From the short time we’ve handled the D500 we think Nikon is onto a real winner. It’s got more than enough smarts to stand out beyond the Canon EOS 70D, as the kind of prosumer top-end camera many will have been waiting for. It’s far quicker than the top-end compact system camera stock too, without the bulk associated with a giant full-frame camera, such as the Nikon D5. (pocket-lint)
Nikon D500: C.S.Ling On Assignment in Borneo (one of the four D500 promo photographers Nikon used)
