D6 vs D5

[eaj101]

So, what's the difference in the AF between the D5 and D6? Is the improvement obvious? What changed? How does it affect your shooting? How did af on the D5 differ from the D850/D500? I ask because the prices of used D5s are becoming less stratospheric and more thinkable

 

[DRwyoming]

So, what's the difference in the AF between the D5 and D6? Is the improvement obvious? What changed? How does it affect your shooting? How did af on the D5 differ from the D850/D500? I ask because the prices of used D5s are becoming less stratospheric and more thinkable

On paper the D6 AF system: works a bit better in lower light, has more crosspoint sensors, has sensors across more of the frame and supports two user definable Group AF Area modes where users can define the shape of the Group area. There are other improvements like integrated GPS and Focus Shift Shooting but having only shot with a D6 a few times I'd say the overall improvement in shooting experience over the D5 is substantial. The D6 is a very nice camera.

That said, like you suggest I picked up a low mileage D5 for a fraction of the retail price and I'm very happy with it. I still own a D500 and did own a D850 and I'd say the D5 is a much better low light and action photography camera than either of them with noticeably better AF performance, a much brighter optical viewfinder and just a better shooting experience for fast moving wildlife or low light situations as long as you don't need to do a ton of cropping where the D850 clearly has a big edge.

 

[Warren D]

I've had a D5 since they came out and a D6 for the last year. I also have a pair of D850's. The D5 AF beats the D850's hands down but the difference is less in bright sun than it is when the light levels drop. The D6 has some interesting AF options as DR mentioned but those differences aren't worth the increased price, in my opinion. Overall the D6 AF is better and seems quicker and more accurate than the D5 in low to very low light conditions. It really depends on what conditions you normally shoot in as to which one is the better choice. I still have and use my D5, maybe that will tell you something!

 

[Steve]

Both cameras are great, so you can't go wrong. I do see a difference in the AF of the D6 though. It's not drastic, but it does seem to do better in low light and with faster subject (small birds). The D6 also brings some other tools to the table I talk about (in addition to AF) in the review below:

The big question - is it worth the price difference? That's tougher to say. Personally, I think it was for what I do, but it's a close call...

 

[Charles Loy]

If you want a used camera, the D5 is a real value. Fantastic workhorse that will not quit, fantastic focusing that is noticeable better focusing than the D850/500.
But the D5 does not have the focusing of the D6. The 6 has a few more bells and whistles, but the focusing is the real improved deal over all cameras mentioned. It's a night vision machine, so yeah, in good light it just gets better. Viewfinder is brighter on the 5 and 6. Weight is more, but they feel (and are) a much more rugged camera. The 5 and 6 are ready a moment after switching on, no wait to dive into the menu or adjust the shutter and f stop. So much more,... But you ask about focusing, yes both offer plenty of improvement that you will notice.

 

[eaj101]

Thanks. Y'all are a remarkable group (and kudos to Steve for putting this together and supporting us).

 

[VStammer]

I have the D5, D850, &D500. I have not parted with any up until this point. If I give up one it will be D500. If I were go down to one camera it would be a real tough decision, as each has strong points unique to each of them. If it were to be one all around/all-purpose camera I would keep the D850. If I were to keep only one camera for wildlife and birds then I would keep the D5.

 

[fcotterill]

There's little more to add to expert opinions above. Excepting I'm another happy camper who is enjoying a Used D5 at a bargain price. My experience concurs, including comparisons against the excellent D850.

You have likely seen this recent thread with parallel advice and links wrt the advanced AF of the D6.

Only feedback to add is to suggest you read the initial impressions Brad Hill posted May last year, notably "..When shooting with a D5 and a professional-level lens most shooters noticed that they had an amazing hit rate of "in-focus" shots, including when shooting extreme action. Simply put, the D5 has an amazing AF system - definitely the best AF system of any DSLR on the market (until now). I have already found the D6 has a BETTER hit rate and it's AF system is even MORE amazing than that of the D5."
And as he concluded then, the Customization improvements of the D6 are as significant, and improved again in April this year.
So if you can afford a D6, then key Settings can be folded into Recall Shooting Functions, notably AFmode. In practice pressing dedicated button switches to your preferred AF mode for action. This can improve successfully capturing the most sudden of events.
Lacking this feature on my D5, recently I've applied Steve's advice:- try to keep BBAF mode set for action eg Group, and toggle Single point to grab the subject's eye. Obviously this depends on one's preferences and context.

 

[eaj101]

There's little more to add to expert opinions above. Excepting I'm another happy camper who is enjoying a Used D5 at a bargain price. My experience concurs, including comparisons against the excellent D850.

You have likely seen this recent thread with parallel advice and links wrt the advanced AF of the D6.

Only feedback to add is to suggest you read the initial impressions Brad Hill posted May last year, notably "..When shooting with a D5 and a professional-level lens most shooters noticed that they had an amazing hit rate of "in-focus" shots, including when shooting extreme action. Simply put, the D5 has an amazing AF system - definitely the best AF system of any DSLR on the market (until now). I have already found the D6 has a BETTER hit rate and it's AF system is even MORE amazing than that of the D5."
And as he concluded then, the Customization improvements of the D6 are as significant, and improved again in April this year.
So if you can afford a D6, then key Settings can be folded into Recall Shooting Functions, notably AFmode. In practice pressing dedicated button switches to your preferred AF mode for action. This can improve successfully capturing the most sudden of events.
Lacking this feature on my D5, recently I've applied Steve's advice:- try to keep BBAF mode set for action eg Group, and toggle Single point to grab the subject's eye. Obviously this depends on one's preferences and context.

Thanks. Of course, the 'available at a reasonable price' part of the D6 isn't likely for a while

Steve's comment (and Brad's) about the customization available in the D6 back up a comment of Thom Hogan's - that a lot of people criticizing the AF of the D5/D6 (and the Zs to an extent) haven't taken the time to figure out how to use it effectively. Of course, I haven't used either the D6 or the a1, but his comment was that people would find the a1 easier out of the box, the D6 more effective in more different situations as you figured out how to use it. Steve's example in his review about customizing the AF points for runners coming over a hill was good.

Obviously there's a steep learning curve with the D6 in particular. But clearly it's not something you pick up and just start shooting with.

p.s. this customization feature has interesting paradoxes. For example, Olympus has modes for motorsports, aircraft. trains, and birds. When you're in one mode the AF can behave strangely when the subject is not what you've set it for. This raises the specter of continually changing the AF mode when the subject changes: bird, no, wait, plane, no, it's a fish... There are certainly times when I turn OFF subject recognition and just use point AF.