Every Nikon Full-Frame Camera (FX) in 2024, Compared

Spencer Cox
Nikon-FX-Full-Frame-Cameras

Nikon has been making full-frame digital cameras for more than 15 years, and their huge lineup today can seem overwhelming. In this article, I’ll compare Nikon’s entire full-frame (FX) camera lineup and explain which of these cameras might be a good choice for your photography. This list includes every full-frame digital camera that Nikon has ever made, including those which are now discontinued, although I’m especially focusing on the current cameras.

The point of this article is to give non-Nikon or first-time Nikon photographers a bird’s-eye view of the available FX Nikon cameras today (and those which the company used to make). You can also ask me in the comments section below if you have any questions. For space constraints, I couldn’t write a full review of over twenty cameras here!

If you’re not just looking for full-frame cameras, but all Nikon cameras, we have a guide to that too.

What Is a Full-Frame (FX) Camera?

A full-frame camera is any camera with a sensor of similar size to 35mm film. A full-frame sensor’s dimensions are roughly 24 × 36 mm in size.

Nikon labels its full-frame cameras as “FX” cameras. This is in comparison to the company’s smaller, 1.5× crop-sensor “DX” cameras, and extremely small 2.7× crop-sensor “CX” cameras.

Currently, FX cameras have the largest sensors of any Nikon camera. They are the company’s highest-end DSLR and mirrorless cameras.

The current Nikon lineup includes seven current full-frame cameras – three DSLRs and four mirrorless. However, there are also fifteen discontinued FX digital cameras from Nikon (not counting variations like the D800E and D810A), bringing your total options to twenty-two if you want a Nikon full-frame camera.

The purpose of this article is to give an overview of all 22 full-frame Nikon cameras ever produced, starting with the ones that are currently sold new.

Note that this article only compares Nikon’s full-frame digital cameras. If you want to see a similar comparison of all current Nikon cameras, go to this page instead. However, that page doesn’t go into as much detail on the discontinued full-frame options.

NIKON D800e + 70-200mm f/4 @ 140mm, ISO 500, 1/500, f/5.6
Taken with the Nikon D800e, a discontinued Nikon FX camera with excellent image quality

DSLR vs Mirrorless

Right now, Nikon is pouring a ton of energy into its full-frame mirrorless lineup. In terms of image quality, there is no difference between Nikon’s DSLR and mirrorless FX cameras. They’re all excellent. Instead, the mirrorless/DSLR differences are more subtle:

If you’re still weighing your options, here’s a rough guideline: Nikon’s mirrorless cameras are better for travel photography right now, and arguably better for landscapes as well. For portraiture and event photography, there are pros and cons to both systems, and neither is necessarily ahead. For wildlife and action photography, Nikon DSLRs still have the advantage, with the exception of the high-end Nikon Z9 mirrorless camera.

And if you’re completely unsure, go with mirrorless, because it’s more future-proof. That’s where Nikon is investing almost all of their energy in new lenses, cameras, and so on.

NIKON Z7 + 14-30mm f/4 S @ 18mm, ISO 64, 3 seconds, f/11.0

Nikon Full-Frame DSLRs

Nikon D780

The Nikon D780 is far from a low-end camera, but out of the three current FX DSLRs, it’s the least expensive. The Nikon D780 has a lot of mirrorless-inspired tech, especially the video and live-view features. The Nikon D780 is sells for $2300 new but often goes on sale (check current price). On the used market, you can find it for about $1400. Here are the specs:

Compared to the prior generation Nikon D750, the Nikon D780 has a touchscreen, 4K video, marginally better image quality at high ISOs, and many of Nikon’s newest bells and whistles. These include things like extended 900 second shutter speeds, focus stack shooting, and better live view autofocus.

For portrait or wedding photographers, the Nikon D780 is a very compelling choice, even compared to newer mirrorless cameras. That said, the MSRP of $2300 is a bit high, so I recommend waiting until you see it on sale for $2000 or so.

Nikon could have technically bumped up some of the D780’s “top-line” specs like the sensor resolution and maximum frame rate, but other than that, there’s almost nothing to complain about with this camera. If you want a jack-of-all-trades DSLR, the D780 is the way to go.

Pros

Cons

NIKON D780 + Tamron 17-35mm f/2.8-4 @ 25mm, ISO 100, 1/400, f/9.0

Nikon D850

Next up is one of the best cameras of all time, the Nikon D850. We ranked it #1 in our list of today’s top DSLR cameras, with good reason. This 45-megapixel FX camera is a monster.

The specs:

The D850 has Nikon’s top 153-point autofocus system, their highest resolution 45-megapixel sensor, a surprisingly high frame rate of 7 FPS (9 FPS with the battery grip), and nearly every one of Nikon’s top features. The D850 commands a $3000 price for good reason (check the current price here).

At first glance, the Nikon D850 may look like it’s targeted at landscape photographers. However, plenty of sports and wildlife photographers will find the 153-point autofocus system and 9 FPS shooting (with battery grip) to be ideal for their needs.

Of course, $3000 is a lot of money to spend on a camera, no matter how good it is. Used, the D850 is a more reasonable $2000 or so (eBay Partner Program affiliate link), but you still may be better off with a less expensive camera coupled with a good lens.

Even though the Nikon D850 is more than five years old – an eternity in the tech world – it still makes plenty of sense today. The only question is whether you’d be better off with a mirrorless camera. If you don’t need access to any of Nikon’s Z-series mirrorless lenses, and you don’t mind that Nikon’s days of DSLR development are (probably) behind them, there’s no reason not to get the D850.

Pros:

Cons:

NIKON D850 + 14mm f/1.8 @ 14mm, ISO 64, 1/160, f/16.0

Nikon D6

As amazing as the Nikon D850 is, it’s still not the flagship camera in Nikon’s DSLR lineup. That honor goes to the $6500 Nikon D6 – an extreme wildlife and sports camera with Nikon’s top autofocus system, a 14 FPS maximum frame rate, and a 20 megapixel FX sensor.

The D6 is the only camera from Nikon to have a 105-point autofocus system where all 105 points are cross-type. The result is that it’s amazing for tracking action in low light even outside the center of the frame. Not to mention that it’s practically indestructible. As expensive as it is, the D6 will still find plenty of support among action photography pros.

Here are the D6’s specifications:

Even though the Nikon D6 is an amazing camera, it’s also so specialized that many photographers don’t even have it on their radar. If you told me I had $6500 to spend on Nikon equipment, I’d buy a D850 or a mirrorless camera and put the rest of the money toward lenses.

Of course, if you need it, you need it. You probably already have it, and you’ll pre-order the D7 the moment it’s announced.

Pros:

Cons:

From left to right: Nikon D6, Nikon Z9, Nikon Z7 II

Nikon Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

Nikon Z5

Nikon’s least expensive full-frame camera is the Z5. Depending on the sale, I’ve seen its price dip down as low as $1000, which is absurd for a new full-frame camera with solid specifications. The Z5’s features are as follows:

Note the weight of the Z5: 675 grams (1 lb, 7.8 oz). By comparison, the Nikon D780 weighs 840 grams (1 lb 13.7 oz). This is one of the big advantages of mirrorless cameras over DSLRs.

In addition, the Z5 has Nikon’s new Z lens mount, allowing you to use the camera with any of Nikon’s excellent mirrorless lenses. You can still use Nikon’s existing DSLR lenses (the F-mount glass) on the Z5 by using Nikon’s FTZ adapter. Though, when you do, you’ll lose a some of the Z5’s weight savings compared to DSLRs.

This camera is an amazing value, full stop. Compared to the more expensive mirrorless cameras below, the main things the Z5 gives up are pretty minimal. It doesn’t have high-FPS shooting (but 4.5 FPS is still good for most subjects), it loses the top-panel LCD, and it has a 1.7x crop in 4K video. Otherwise, there’s not much to complain about.

While it does use a slightly older 24 megapixel sensor compared to the one on the D780 or Z6 II, the image quality differences are very small. Only at ultra-high ISOs will you notice any difference, and even then, only if you’re pixel-peeping.

Compared to the DSLRs from earlier, the Z5’s autofocus system isn’t as good at tracking fast-moving wildlife. But it’s very fast and accurate for autofocusing on people’s faces or anything that’s not moving.

Used, you might find the Z5 for about $800 – a great deal normally, although if it’s on sale for $1000 new, it’s probably better to go new. (Check current price here.) Either way, for photographers who want to get a full-frame camera with modern features at a low price, it’s hard to beat the Z5.

Pros:

Cons:

NIKON Z 5 + NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR @ 61mm, ISO 400, 1/125, f/8.0

Nikon Z6 II

The next step up in Nikon’s full-frame camera lineup is the Z6 II. This camera replaces the first-generation Z6, which is now discontinued at most retailers.

Here are the Z6 II’s key specifications:

The Z6 II sells for $2000, but you should check the current price here, because Nikon frequently puts the camera on sale now that the newness has faded away.

Compared to the Z6, the Z6 II adds some much-requested features like better autofocus tracking, dual memory card slots, and 4K video at 60 FPS. Its autofocus isn’t perfect at tracking fast-moving subjects, but otherwise, it’s an all-around fantastic camera.

There’s not much to complain about on the Z6 II, even though there are more advanced Nikon cameras like the Z7 II, Z9, and D850. The Z6 II is actually a better camera than the D780 in many ways, even though it sells for a few hundred dollars less. See my Nikon Z6 II vs Nikon D780 comparison.

Here are the camera’s pros and cons:

Pros:

Cons:

NIKON Z 6 II + NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S @ 200mm, ISO 1000, 1/400, f/2.8

Nikon Z7 II

The high-resolution counterpart to the Nikon Z6 II is the Nikon Z7 II. Here are the Z7 II’s specifications:

As you can see, it’s very similar to the Nikon Z6 II, although it has a higher resolution sensor of 45 rather than 24 megapixels, and a base ISO of 64 rather than 100. Otherwise, the two cameras are almost completely interchangeable. There are a few other small differences that I covered in my Nikon Z6 II vs Nikon Z7 II article, some of which even favor the Z6 II.

What you need to ask yourself is whether those two features are worth paying $1000 extra compared to the Z6 II, since the Z7 II sells new for $3000 (check current price). Unless you’re a landscape photographer, the answer is probably going to be no. 24 megapixels is enough for almost anyone else.

Compared to the prior generation (and now discontinued) Nikon Z7, the Z7 II has a lot of behind-the-scenes improvements to make it a more usable camera. These include a larger buffer, slightly better autofocus, dual memory card slots, and 4K video at 60 FPS. You may want to check out my Nikon Z7 vs Z7 II comparison.

Pros:

Cons:

NIKON Z 7 II + NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S @ 14mm, ISO 64, 1/125, f/5.6

Nikon Z9

Nikon’s current flagship camera is the Z9, a mirrorless camera with a built-in grip and some of the most impressive features of any camera on the market today. Its price of $5500 may seem high (check current price), but it’s actually much less than expected and cheaper than most Nikon flagships. Meanwhile, the specifications are incredible:

There is very little that the Nikon Z9 can’t do aside from cook a piece of toast. It has 20 FPS raw shooting with no limitations, a truly massive buffer, Nikon’s newest and best autofocus system, 8K video, and every advanced feature Nikon could throw at it.

It’s even a good camera for landscape photography despite the emphasis on sports/wildlife features, thanks to the base ISO of 64 and the high resolution 45.7-megapixel sensor.

Depending on what you need to do, the Nikon Z9 isn’t simply the best Nikon camera today, but possibly the best camera on the market from any manufacturer, period.

Pros:

Cons:

NIKON Z 9 + NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S @ 320mm, ISO 800, 1/1250, f/5.3

Nikon Z8

A camera of striking similarity to the Nikon Z9 (at least in features, not really in the design of the camera) is the Nikon Z8. Just look below, and you’ll see that this $4000, relatively small camera is the twin of the Nikon Z9 in many ways

The Z8 is one of Nikon’s most impressive cameras. Not only does it have essentially all the features of the Z9 except for the grip, it is $1500 cheaper than the Z9. It’s an action and wildlife powerhouse in a small package and would be idea for anyone who needs fast autofocus. Like the Z9, it features a blackout-free viewfinder and an insane autofocus system that can handle anything. I would recommend the Z8 as a first choice to any Nikon shooter who needs fast autofocus and does not mind the absence of the built-in grip and slightly lower battery life compared to the Z9.

Pros

Cons:

NIKON Z 8 + AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR @ 500mm, ISO 1000, 1/1600, f/5.6

Nikon Zf

Nikon’s Zf is a beautiful, retro-designed full-frame camera with a surprisingly impressive set of features. Here are the main specs:

Although many of these specifications look similar to the Nikon Z6 II, despite the Zf being three years newer, there are some major reasons to get the Zf instead.

First, the Nikon Zf has a sensor-shift mode that can capture up to 96 megapixel photos with full RGB data at every pixel – allowing for extraordinary levels of detail, especially paired with one of Nikon’s S-line lenses.

Second, the Nikon Zf has one of the most advanced in-body image stabilization systems of any camera on the market. It’s rated to 8.0 stops compared to just 5.0 stops on the Nikon Z6 II, and it even prioritizes the stability of your focus point, which is a world’s first – not just among Nikon cameras.

On top of that, the autofocus system is also far more advanced, borrowing the subject-tracking algorithms from the Nikon Z8 and Z9. You can read about additional differences in our Nikon Z6 II vs Nikon Zf comparison.

In short, the Nikon Zf is an extremely advanced camera that feels very competitively priced at $2000.

Pros:

Cons:

NIKON Z f + NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S @ 50mm, ISO 200, 1/640, f/2.2

Discontinued FX Cameras

All the cameras above are current options in Nikon’s lineup, sold new. But there is also an extensive used market for older, discontinued Nikon full-frame cameras. Many of them remain excellent choices today:

Nikon Z6

The Nikon Z6 has the honor of being the first Nikon Z mirrorless camera ever made, and the first to be discontinued (alongside the Nikon Z7). As for the camera’s specifications, the Nikon Z6 is hardly a slouch:

These are nice specifications, although the autofocus system leaves something to be desired when you’re trying to track fast wildlife. Compared to the newer Nikon Z6 II, the original Z6 only has one memory card slot, no slow-motion 4K video, and worse autofocus tracking.

The Nikon Z6’s closest DSLR competitor is the Nikon D780. The two are surprisingly similar, but the Z6 has the expected benefits of a mirrorless camera, such as light weight, an excellent electronic viewfinder, and in-body image stabilization. The D780 has dual memory card slots, a better battery life, and a better autofocus system. The two cameras have the exact same image quality. See my D780 vs Z6 comparison for more details.

Overall? Travel photographers and videographers will love it, but portrait and event photographers should go with the Z6 II or D780 instead. Those cameras have dual card slots (valuable for event photography) and slightly better autofocus systems.

The Z6 sells for great prices on the used market – I’ve seen it as low as $900 (eBay Partner Program affiliate link). At a price like that, it’s pretty hard to beat.

Pros:

Cons:

NIKON Z6 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 24mm, ISO 100, 1/2, f/11.0

Nikon Z7

As with the distinction between the Z6 II and Z7 II, the difference between the Z6 and Z7 mostly comes down to resolution. The Z7 has Nikon’s best 45 megapixel sensor, making it a great choice for landscape photography (although many of its other features have been superseded by Nikon’s newer mirrorless cameras).

Nikon Z7 specifications:

Other than slight differences here and there, the Nikon Z7 is the same as the Nikon Z6, just with a 45 megapixel sensor rather than 24 MP. They even have the same camera body and button layout. You can check our Z6 vs Z7 comparison to see how similar they really are. However, the Nikon Z7 is currently selling for a good bit more on the used market, at about $1400 if you find a good deal.

My recommendation – and I say this as a Nikon Z7 owner – is to get the Z6 or the Z6 II instead. The extra megapixels are overkill for most photographers, and even a drawback for some, since it takes up twice the hard drive space.

Still, certain specialized photographers will find the Z7 a great camera for their needs. If you’re a landscape or architectural photographer who prints large, there’s no denying that the Z7 is a strong camera. In many ways, it’s like a mirrorless D850 – albeit not as refined of a camera overall. (For the more refined version, you’ll want to check out the Nikon Z7 II or Z9.)

Pros:

Cons:

NIKON Z7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 39mm, ISO 64, 4 seconds, f/11.0

Nikon D600

The D600 is probably Nikon’s most infamous DSLR. Although it was an excellent camera for the price in many ways, it had a widespread issue of oil and dust sticking on the sensor and harming photos. Nikon eventually recalled the D600, but you can still find used copies available on sites like eBay.

Because of the dust issue, the D600 sells for excellent prices on the used market. It’s practically identical to the D610 in specifications – the biggest difference is that it shoots 5.5 FPS rather than 6 FPS.

Used, the D600 is about $350 or even less (eBay Partner Program affiliate link). This is actually an amazing deal considering that most people got the oil and dust issue fixed, since Nikon offered such a service for free until January of 2020.

NIKON D600 + 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 24mm, ISO 100, 1/60, f/8.0

Nikon D610

The successor to the Nikon D600 was the Nikon D610. This camera is often overlooked today. There’s a good chance that even Nikon wants you to forget it exists. After all, it was only released to sweep the D600 dust issue under the rug, and is basically the same as the D600 in specifications.

Used, though, the D610 is still a good deal. I often see it go for roughly $450 used (eBay Partner Program affiliate link) – an excellent price for a 24-megapixel full frame camera. For anyone on a budget, a used D610 is pretty hard to beat.

Here are the specifications:

The biggest liability is autofocus. The D610 has Nikon’s old 39-point focusing system (same as the entry-level D5600). It’s not much of a sports or wildlife camera.

On the flip side, the D610’s biggest selling point is its sensor. 24 megapixels is ideal for many requirements – more than enough detail for typical prints, yet significantly smaller file sizes than you’ll get from a 45-megapixel camera.

So, who should get the Nikon D610? It’s an excellent choice for anyone who prioritizes image quality over autofocus prowess. Specifically, landscape and portrait photographers on a budget will find the D610 hard to beat.

Pros:

Cons:

NIKON D610 + 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 58mm, ISO 100, 1/10, f/11.0

Nikon D700

The Nikon D700 was the first consumer-oriented FX camera in Nikon’s lineup. It has next to none of Nikon’s modern features (and can’t even shoot video at all) but actually remains a good purchase for a certain segment of photographers.

Specifically, the D700 only shoots 12 megapixel photos, but it sports Nikon’s 51-point autofocus system and 8 FPS with Nikon’s battery grip (5 FPS without). Considering that it sells used for about $300, it’s a surprisingly good deal for sports and portrait photographers on a budget even in 2023.

NIKON D700 + 16-35mm f/4 @ 16mm, ISO 200, 1/160, f/16.0

Nikon D750

One of Nikon’s best all-around cameras is the Nikon D750, although note that it has since been replaced by the Nikon D780. Used, though, you can find it for around $700 – an excellent deal (eBay Partner Program affiliate link).

Here are the D750’s specs:

Compared to the D610, the D750 has a more advanced autofocus system, 60 FPS video (rather than 30 FPS), a tilting LCD, and slightly better battery life. Image quality is the same.

What are the D750’s drawbacks? As good of a camera as it is, it’s definitely showing its age. The 24 megapixel sensor is a bit behind Nikon’s newest 24 megapixel sensors at high ISOs. It lacks features like a touchscreen, 4K video, and some miscellaneous additions like focus-stack shooting. None of these issues are particularly big, and I’d encourage first-time Nikon shooters on a budget to look seriously at a used D750.

The D750’s biggest audience is probably the portrait/wedding crowd, but it’s quite solid for landscapes and even wildlife. If you want to dabble in a lot of genres without breaking the bank, it could be the right choice for you.

Pros:

Cons:

NIKON D750 + 20mm f/1.8 @ 20mm, ISO 720, 1/40, f/5.6

Nikon D800/D800e

Nikon created a huge splash on the market when it announced the Nikon D800 and D800e in February of 2012 – the first full-frame cameras with 36 megapixels, practically a revolution for detail-hungry landscape photographers.

The D800 and D800e are slow cameras to use. Although they do have Nikon’s 51-point focusing system, they’re limited to 4 FPS shooting (6 FPS when shooting in crop-sensor DX mode with a battery grip). Even the D610 beats those numbers.

But if you’re after an ultra-high resolution sensor on a budget, the image quality from the D800 and D800e is amazing even by today’s standards. Used, the D800 is about $450, while the D800e is about $550. (The only difference is that the D800e eliminates the anti-aliasing filter.)

I think this is one of the best deals you’ll find for landscape photographers on a budget, even in 2023.

NIKON D800E + 70-200mm f/4 @ 70mm, ISO 100, 1/13, f/16.0

Nikon D810

The successor of the Nikon D800, the Nikon D810, is also discontinued.

This full-frame DSLR is just right for a lot of people – especially landscape photographers who want a high resolution camera without spending as much as the D850. Used, you can find it around $700, which is a seriously good deal for such a good DSLR (eBay Partner Program affiliate link).

The Nikon D810 shoots 36 megapixel images at a maximum of 5 FPS (though 6 FPS with a 1.2× crop, and 7 FPS with the battery grip and a DX crop). It has a great 51-point autofocus system, but it’s more geared toward landscapes than wildlife overall.

Although it isn’t 45 megapixels like the D850 or Z7 II, the image quality on the D810 remains spectacular. The 36 megapixel sensor is more than enough for most photographers, and the D810’s ability to shoot at base ISO 64 rather than 100 gives you some extra dynamic range for landscape photography. For the price used, it’s an excellent deal.

NIKON D810 + 70-200mm f/4 @ 100mm, ISO 64, 0.4 seconds, f/16.0

Nikon Df

This retro-themed DSLR is a bit of a weird one, but it has a dedicated following even today. Here are the Nikon Df’s specifications, which may remind you of the D610 even though the Df is much more expensive:

The Nikon Df is a beautifully-designed camera with excellent manual controls. Plus, in low light, its 16-megapixel sensor has slightly better high ISO performance than any other Nikon camera at the moment.

Then again, it’s a bit more expensive than it should be, even on the used market. Considering that the specs are so similar to those of the D610, the Df should be selling for around $600, but it’s closer to $1000. Still, I admit that the retro design puts it in a unique spot in Nikon’s DSLR lineup.

The Df is not really aimed at landscape photographers (because of the 16 megapixel sensor) or sports photographers (because of the 39 point autofocus system). But for portraiture, weddings, and event photography, there’s a serious case to be made for this camera’s quality, assuming you find one at a good price.

Pros:

Cons:

NIKON Df + 50mm f/1.8 @ 50mm, ISO 400, 1/25, f/2.8

Nikon D3

The first-ever full-frame Nikon camera was the D3, announced in August of 2007. Used, it’s in the range of $400.

Like the D700, the Nikon D3 uses a 12-megapixel sensor and Nikon’s 51-point autofocus system. The main benefit of the D3 by comparison is its faster frame rate (9 FPS, or 11 FPS in 5-megapixel crop mode with focusing and exposure locked). However, it is also a significantly larger, heavier camera.

Complicating matters is the Nikon D3s – which also has a 12 megapixel sensor, but one that performs better in low light than either the D3 or the D700. Still, if your budget is around $400 and you want a tough, full-frame, high-FPS beast, the D3 could still be a good buy even all these years later.

Nikon D3s

The Nikon D3s matches the D3 in most specifications, but it revamps the 12-megapixel sensor to improve high ISO performance by about 1.5 stops. Even in 2023, the D3s’s high ISO performance is close to the best available, which is amazing considering that it was announced in October 2009.

The D3s is about $500 on the used market (eBay Partner Program affiliate link). Like the D3, it shoots 9 FPS with Nikon’s 51-point focusing system. Between the D3 and D3s, I’d recommend paying extra for the D3s in order to get the better high ISO performance. If your files are this clean in low light, 12 megapixels can go a long way.

NIKON D3S + 300mm f/4 @ 300mm, ISO 3200, 1/250, f/8.0

Nikon D3X

Holding the honor of the most expensive Nikon camera at the time of launch, the D3X sold initially for a whopping $8000. What do you get for the price? Class-leading resolution – 24 megapixels. (All right, class-leading at the time.) Today, it’s about $800 used.

The D3X maxes out at 5 FPS shooting, again with Nikon’s 51-point autofocus system. So, it’s not geared toward sports and wildlife photography very much; even the D610 shoots faster than that (though with a 39-point focusing system.)

Why would anyone get the D3X today, then? The biggest reason is build quality. Like the other D3/D4/D5 cameras, the D3X is a huge DSLR with an extremely rugged build. If that’s essential for your needs, the D3X is still the highest-resolution camera in Nikon’s lineup with such extreme build quality, other than perhaps the Z9.

Other than that, it’s a bit of a relic these days. Plenty of Nikon cameras are better in almost every way – some of which are cheaper on the used market (like the Nikon D750).

Nikon D4

Moving up to the Nikon D4, we have a 16-megapixel sports camera with slightly higher FPS than the D3s (10 FPS natively, 11 FPS with focus and exposure locked).

At a price of about $700 used (eBay Partner Program affiliate link), I’d probably recommend the D4 over the D3s. Image quality leans in the D4’s favor because of the higher resolution sensor (and base ISO 100 rather than 200), but high ISO performance is pretty comparable. Both cameras have a 51-point focusing system, although the D4 has the “advanced” version and does track focus a bit better, especially in low light.

We’re kind of spoiled these days. The D4 was announced in January of 2012 for $6000, and today we can get it for 1/8 the price. It remains an amazing camera for sports and action photography.

NIKON D4 + 28.0 mm f/1.8 @ ISO 400, 1/200, f/2.8

Nikon D4s

The next-to-last camera on this list is the Nikon D4s, a surprisingly similar camera to the Nikon D4. It adds a group-area autofocus mode, though it doesn’t change the 51-point autofocus system otherwise. The D4s shoots 11 FPS with autofocus and auto exposure (whereas the D4 shoots 10 FPS by comparison).

Also, buffer capacity is a bit better on the D4s – 104 14-bit compressed RAW images versus 76 – although the D4 wasn’t exactly bad in that department. High ISO performance between these two cameras is also essentially the same, with only the slightest improvement on the D4s.

Despite the similarities, it sells for significantly more used – about $1000, though prices fluctuate. For most photographers who are considering this camera, I’d recommend sticking to the D4 or D3s and spending the money on lenses instead.

NIKON D4S + Zeiss Otus 1.4/55 ZF.2 @ ISO 160, 1/5000, f/1.4

Nikon D5

While the D4s may not have been a major upgrade to the D4, the same cannot be said of Nikon’s D5. Even though the D5 is no longer selling new, I’d still recommend it to many high-end sports photographers who want something less expensive than the D6 or Z9.

The D5 shoots 20.8 megapixel images at 12 FPS, but the biggest upgrade over the D4s is the new autofocus system. The D5 has Nikon’s amazing 153-point autofocus system, making it an ideal camera for tracking fast-moving action. It currently sells for about $2000 used (eBay Partner Program affiliate link), with some fluctuation depending on how many shutter actuations the camera has.

As great as the D5 is, I’d at least consider a used D850 instead if your budget is about $2000. It uses the same autofocus system and has more resolution. The question is whether you need the D5’s higher FPS rate and invincible build quality.

NIKON D5 @ 600mm, ISO 4000, 1/640, f/4.0
Copyright © Robert Andersen

Conclusion

Nikon has produced quite a number of full-frame cameras over the years, starting with the D3 in 2007 and leading to the current day, with both mirrorless and DSLRs.

There’s hardly a dud in the lineup. Even the D600, the most maligned FX camera Nikon has ever made, is perfectly good when the dust issue is fixed (and an excellent value on the used market as a result).

That said, each Nikon FX camera is made for a different type of photographer, so not all of them will be the optimal choice for you. The D780 is a great all-around budget choice. The D850 is a high-resolution beast. The Nikon Z9 is arguably the best camera on the market right now, whereas Nikon’s other mirrorless cameras are small, light, and modern. Finally, many of the discontinued cameras in Nikon’s full-frame lineup remain amazing deals when purchased used.

This article is not about choosing the “best” Nikon FX camera. Each one could be the best for your needs, or totally unnecessary for the photos you want to take. Hopefully, though, this article gave you a good idea of the size and scope of Nikon’s full-frame lineup.

If you have any questions or recommendations about these cameras, please let me know in the comment section below!

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