Nikon Announcements - D5 and D500

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Nikon announced two new cameras at CES - The D5 and the D500. The D5 is Nikon's flagship, replacing the still excellent D4s.  Full Frame 20MP, awesome focusing powerNikon D5Headline features of the D5

  • 20.8MP FX-Format CMOS Sensor
  • 3.2" 2.36m-Dot Touchscreen LCD Monitor (review functions only)
  • 4K UHD Video Recording at 30 fps (limited to 3 minutes internally)
  • Multi-CAM 20K 153-Point AF System
  • Dedicated AF processor and 99/153 focus points are cross-type. (first to offer dedicated AF processor)
  • Native ISO 102400, Extend to ISO 3280000  (Yes, that's 3 million ISO)
  • 12 fps Shooting for 200 Shots with AE/AF - Huge Buffer for full raw
  • 180k-Pixel RGB Sensor and Group Area AF
  • 14-Bit Raw Files and 12-Bit Raw S Format
  • Two versions of the D5 a dual XQD card slot version and a dual CF card slot (same price)

Available in Mid March for $6500 - Preorder from B&H Photo or AmazonThis is a beast of a camera - suited for professional sports photographers and others that need amazing speed, focusing power and excellent low light capabilities.  Interesting that it does allow 4K recording but limits that to just 3 minutes.  If you record to an external device like an Atomos Shogun you can record for much longer.    I am not sure what else to say about this camera- it's heavy, expensive and powerful. Offering a nice step forward in the evolution. You can purchase a model with dual CF cards (they are still way faster than SD of the even fast XQD memory slots- they are similar in size and shape to compact flash but offer speeds up to 1 Gbit/s read and write speed. Nikon Also announced the D500 Nikon D500- Crop Sensor BeastHeadline Features of the Nikon D500

  • 20.9MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor (crop sensor)
  • 3.2" 2,539k-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD - complete touchscreen control- set focus point, menu navigation etc.
  • 4K UHD Video Recording at 30 fps (also limited to 3 minutes internally)
  • Multi-CAM 20K 153-Point AF System (same focusing system as D5- this means coverage across frame from focus points is excellent - cross type points all the way to edge of frame)
  • Native ISO 51200, Extend to ISO 1640000
  • 10 fps Shooting for Up to 200 Frames
  • Built-In Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC  (Low Power Bluetooth is used to keep a constant connection to smartphone, like Samsung NX1 - can push images to phone automatically)
  • In-Camera Time Lapse, Up to 9999 Frames
  • SD and XQD memory card slots.
  • Pentaprism optical viewfinder offers 100% frame coverage

Sold Body only or with DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR Lens

  • Preorder Nikon D500 DSLR Camera with 16-80mm Lens from B&H Photo | Amazon $3,066.95
  • Preorder Nikon D500 Body Only from B&H Photo from B&H Photo | Amazon $1,996.95

Nikon D500 Top ViewThis camera is going to be very interesting to do a Canon 7D Mark II vs Nikon D500. I feel like Nikon looked at the complaints about the 7D Mark II and said - yea, we can give you a camera like that and fix ALL of your complaints and then some!    This also shows that Nikon is committed to the crop sensor format.     Taking the same focusing system from the $6500 D5 and putting it in a crop sensor like the D500 is impressive - this gives you coverage out to the very edge of the frame with the higher accuracy cross type points! And I am sure this camera will be excellent at tracking fast moving subjects.Nikon D500 Tilting TouchscreenNikon has introduced a tilting touchscreen that provides full control of the camera -menu navigation and settings control, and is usable while shooting, giving you the ability to choose a focus point or an area to set the white balance from. The screen can also be used as a keyboard for quickly entering notes, copyright info, or IPTC information.  4K capable, though limited to just 3 minutes internally - if you need longer pickup an external device like an Atomos Shogun. And Nikon has introduced a wifi/bluetooth connectivity system similar to the excellent system in the Samsung NX1. You have the ability to have a low power constant connection to your smartphone pushing images as you take them.  No more fiddling with connections each time you want to grab an image.  I loved the NX1 version of this and I am happy to see it adopted by Nikon.  Hopefully canon will follow suit.I'd love to know what you think about these two cameras?  Leave a comment below.Also announced is a new Flash System with radio, the Nikon SB-5000 AF Speedlight, similar to the Canon 600RT system we use at weddings and love.  See the complete list of new gear from Nikon. Canon shooters feeling jealous? We should know more about the 1DX Mark II later this month and the 5D Mark IV in early March - if not sooner.   As far as crop sensor cameras go we will not see any updates on the 7D Mark II for at least a year- it is a fantastic camera, I just wish they had added some connectivity options and a touchscreen.