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Nikon D5 going to the moon
Artemis is bringing Nikon D5’s to lunar orbit because they say the cameras have better high iso performance and radiation resistance according to petapixel
https://petapixel.com/2026/02/24/artemi … -the-moon/ Feb 25 26 07:36 pm Link "Nikon’s old DSLR still delivers cleaner images at very high ISO than the Z9."
Nikon beats Nikon! Yay! Feb 26 26 07:23 am Link Great images from past camera models from still look great. And it's often very hard, if not impossible, to tell the difference.
But don't forget where the real advances have been made over the last 10 to 15 years. "Hybrid" equipment capability / the quality of the video, successful capture "hit" rates (superb autofocus eye-lock & tracking), advanced "real-time" image processing and additional capturing possibilities (image "Pre Release Capture" for sports or wildlife photographers), etc. There have been lots of improvements. Even if they're not geared for moon missions! Feb 27 26 01:06 pm Link Hasselblad claimed the glory for being the primary cameras used by astronauts on the Moon during the Apollo missions (1969–1972) They were specially modified Hasselblad 500EL electric cameras.
Whereas the Nikon F3 was specially modified for NASA Space Shuttle missions (Challenger and Columbia) in the 1980s, rather than the Apollo moon landings. Nikon has once again been given the honour of being chosen as the camera system of choice for space travel, only this time it’s the 10 year old, discontinued DSLR Nikon D5 that gets NASA’s nod of approval to accompany the astronauts on their mission to the moon and back. Is it too soon to rush out and purchase a used Nikon D5 as a commemorative keepsake? Mar 01 26 09:31 pm Link I shot Nikon for over 10 years and switched to Sony last year. My last Nikon was the D5. Parts of me still miss that camera. It was an amazing workhorse for event photography. Mar 02 26 08:36 am Link "NASA’s Artemis II astronauts will take a Nikon Z9 to space"
"Mission Commander Reid Wiseman mentioned in a recent Q&A session that the camera being taken to the lunar surface for the Artemis II mission will be the Nikon Z9. The crew specifically pushed to have this camera on board to study how the deep-space radiation environment affects its sensors. This data will help NASA understand the long-term impacts of deep space travel on high-end digital imaging technology. Previous reports suggested that NASA Artemis II astronauts will take the 10-year-old Nikon D5 DSLR camera around the moon" https://nikonrumors.com/2026/04/02/nasa … pace.aspx/ Apr 02 26 06:19 pm Link Just to properly wrap up the D5 vs Z9 in space debate, as we now have a lot more information.
The current Artemis space mission has one Nikon Z9 and two Nikon D5 cameras onboard. The reason for the original D5 choice was simple. They know that the D5 behaves well in the high radiation environment of space. That was the criteria. NASAs most recent experience was with Nikon D5 cameras that were put on the International Space Station back in 2017/2018 and are still up there, in active use today. Later Nikon models haven't yet been tested in space, so they're an unknown. The space crew fought for the Nikon Z9 to be added to the list. They succeeded on the basis that it's a "test" to see how current high-performance sensors react in the "high radiation environment" of space. Presumably this test will give them a better idea as to which cameras NASA can, or should, use on future space missions. Apr 03 26 05:56 pm Link |
