Nikon D5 for Portrait Photography

Is the Nikon D5 good for Portrait Photography?

Nikon D5 Portrait Photography Score

GOOD

Nikon D5 has a score of 67 for Portrait Photography which makes it a GOOD candidate for this type of photography. Nikon D5 will satisfy most of your needs, but if you are looking for a camera that is even better suited to Portrait Photography, we recommend you to check the Alternative cameras at the bottom of this page.
Read our detailed Nikon D5 Review

Nikon D5 Portrait Photography Detailed Analysis

Large Full frame (35.8 x 23.9 mm) sensor

Large sensors provide shallower depth of field and a nice blurry background for your portrait shots.

Very High Resolution Sensor: 21.0MP

Nikon D5's 21.0MP sensor will provide larger room for cropping, and you will be able print your portrait shots larger with more fine detail.

Optical Built-in Viewfinder

During a portrait shoot, using a viewfinder allows the photographer to stabilize the camera and reduce the camera shake since it is closer to the body. Besides, it comes handy where LCD screens are very hard to read under bright sunlight.

Good Ergonomics&Handling

Good handling and existence of well placed physical controls on the camera body is very important during portrait shooting. It is faster and more intuitive to change the camera settings with dedicated buttons and knobs instead delving into the menus on the LCD.

No Image Stabilization

Due to the lack of sensor based Image stabilization, Nikon D5 users have to rely on lenses with optical IS in order to maximize the sharpness of their handheld portrait shots. Currently there are native Nikon F mount lenses with Image Stabilization for Nikon D5.

You may also be interested in these reviews:

Nikon D5 for Street Photography
Nikon D5 for Sports Photography
Nikon D5 for Carrying Everywhere
Nikon D5 for Landscape Photography

Nikon D5 Alternatives in Large SLR cameras for Portrait Photography

Pentax 645Z Compare D5 vs 645Z	51 MP \| Medium format CMOS Sensor Pentax 645AF2 Mount	Rank in All Cameras: #31 Rank in DSLR Cameras: #9
	Imaging 92 Features Value for Money Portability Overall Score	Portrait Street Sports Daily Landscape

Nikon D5 Compare D5 vs D5	21 MP \| Full frame CMOS Sensor Nikon F Mount	Rank in All Cameras: #34 Rank in DSLR Cameras: #11
	Imaging Features Value for Money Portability Overall Score	Portrait Street Sports 97 Daily Landscape

Canon 1D X II Compare D5 vs 1D X MII	20 MP \| Full frame CMOS Sensor Canon EF Mount	Rank in All Cameras: #35 Rank in DSLR Cameras: #12
	Imaging Features Value for Money Portability Overall Score	Portrait Street Sports 100 Daily Landscape

Canon 1D C Compare D5 vs 1D C	18 MP \| Full frame CMOS Sensor Canon EF Mount	Rank in All Cameras: #218 Rank in DSLR Cameras: #83
	Imaging Features Value for Money Portability Overall Score	Portrait Street Sports Daily Landscape

Canon 1D X III Compare D5 vs 1D X MIII	20 MP \| Full frame CMOS Sensor Canon EF Mount	Rank in All Cameras: #1191 Rank in DSLR Cameras: #202
	Imaging Features Value for Money Portability Overall Score	Portrait Street Sports Daily Landscape

Pentax 645Z

Nikon D5

Canon 1D X II

Canon 1D C

Canon 1D X III