Nikon D500 Review | 108 Data compared

The DPReview review of the Nikon D500 awards the camera a 91% Gold Award, highlighting it as a top-tier APS-C DSLR with an exceptional 153-point autofocus system, a 10 fps shooting speed, and a robust 200-shot Raw buffer. Key strengths include superb image quality, excellent ergonomics with a dedicated AF joystick, and a high-resolution tilting touchscreen. Conversely, the review notes significant limitations in 4K video, specifically a heavy 2.25x crop, limited exposure tools, and autofocus that can hunt. Furthermore, the SnapBridge wireless system is criticized for being inconsistent and heavy on battery life.

The Photography Life review of the Nikon D500 highlights the DX-format DSLR as a premier choice for sports and wildlife, featuring a 153-point autofocus system, 10 fps burst speed, and robust 200-shot RAW buffer. Key advantages include durable weather-sealed ergonomics, an illuminated AF point joystick, and a 1.5x crop factor that extends telephoto reach for distant subjects. Conversely, the 20.9-megapixel sensor prioritizes speed over resolution, which may limit appeal for landscape photographers seeking maximum detail. Additionally, the review notes significant limitations, including a heavy crop during 4K video recording, inferior low-light performance compared to full-frame alternatives, and inconsistent performance of the SnapBridge wireless system. YouTube ·

Nikon D500 Review Summary Despite its elite performance, the D500 suffers from notable design and operational flaws. A major drawback is its underwhelming battery life; active connections from wireless tools, 10-pin accessories, or the touch LCD drain power much faster than older bodies like the D810. Nikon's menu architecture introduces further friction, with confusing "button shuffles" and poorly placed settings that complicate workflows for multi-body shooters. The camera's wireless SnapBridge integration is widely criticized as sluggish, battery-intensive, and unfinished. Finally, although it records 4K video, the implementation forces a severe sensor crop that restricts wide-angle shooting due to Nikon's limited native DX lens selection.

The Nikon D500 is a highly capable, "prosumer" DX-format DSLR designed with the robust form factor of classic bodies like the D300, avoiding a cheap or plastic feel. Its standout feature is the advanced Multi-CAM 20K Autofocus sensor inherited from the flagship Nikon D5, which boasts 153 AF points (including 99 cross-type) and delivers exceptional, "killer good" tracking performance. Equipped with a 20.9MP CMOS sensor and an EXPEED 5 image processor, the camera features an impressive standard ISO range of 100–51,200 (expandable up to an equivalent of 1,640,000). Additional major advantages include its fast 9 frames-per-second (fps) continuous shooting speed for sports photography, high-quality low-light performance, dual card slots for XQD and SD media, cinematic 4K UHD video capabilities, and modern "SnapBridge" wireless sharing via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Despite its strengths, user feedback highlights several notable drawbacks. A significant point of frustration for upgrading users is the removal of the built-in pop-up flash, which many found convenient for unplanned photography or for wirelessly controlling remote flashes. Additionally, the review notes a stark regional price disparity, with European retail pricing launching...

The Focus Review by Ivo Freriks highlights the Nikon D500 as a lightning-fast, highly solid APS-C flagship camera tailored specifically for professional and semi-professional action, sports, and nature photographers. Powered by a 20.9-megapixel DX sensor, it breaks records for its class with a spectacular usable dynamic range of 12.4 stops at ISO 100 and a high-performing 153-point autofocus system inherited directly from the top-tier Nikon D5. The camera's main strengths (pros) include a phenomenal continuous shooting speed capable of firing up to 200 uncompressed 14-bit RAW shots at 8.6 to 10 frames per second when utilizing a Sony XQD card, an extremely bright and reliable low-light AF that focuses down to -4 LW, illuminated buttons, and built-in 4K UHD video capability. Furthermore, the APS-C sensor provides a natural "free telephoto effect" via its 1.5x crop factor, which is highly advantageous for long-distance wildlife and sports imagery. On the downside (cons), the reviewer notes that the D500 is notably large and heavy for an APS-C body, weighing 860 grams without a lens, and it lacks a built-in pop-up flash. The camera's...

Nikon D500 Camera Review Summary The Nikon D500 is a powerful 20-megapixel DX-format APS-C DSLR that serves as a smaller, more affordable alternative to the flagship Nikon D5, retailing at around $2,000 for the body only. Designed with speed and portability in mind, its 26.9-ounce body is considerably lighter than full-frame alternatives, yet it remains solidly built with standard Nikon ergonomic menus and illuminated control buttons for low-light shooting. The camera delivers exceptional image quality with pleasing color rendition, sharpness, and excellent noise management up to ISO 6400 across its vast 100–51,200 native ISO range. Its standout features include a blazing-fast 10 frames-per-second (fps) burst rate capable of buffering up to 200 raw files via its dual XQD/SD card slots, an expansive 153-point autofocus system that fills most of the frame, and a strong CIPA-rated 1,240-shot battery life, making it highly effective for fast-action sports and wildlife photography. Despite its high performance, the review highlights several drawbacks, particularly regarding video capture and live-view operations. While the D500 supports 4K UHD video, it applies a heavily restricted 2.25x crop factor that...

Don Silcock’s mid-term report on Wetpixel is a highly favorable retrospective evaluation of the Nikon D500 for underwater action and wildlife photography. Writing two years after his initial review, Silcock explicitly highlights the camera's Multi-CAM 20K autofocus system as its primary advantage. Because this pro-level AF array is deployed on a smaller DX sensor, it covers nearly the entire frame, which makes tracking fast-moving marine life like whales and sharks remarkably fast and accurate. He praises its 10 frames-per-second continuous shooting rate and its synergy with the sharp Nikon 8-15mm fisheye zoom lens and a Nauticam 140mm dome port. Additionally, his Nauticam NA-D500 housing earns praise for its total reliability and reassuring vacuum check system. Despite giving the D500 overall "A" and "A+" marks, Silcock explicitly documents several equipment-specific disadvantages and systemic challenges. A primary drawback of the camera system itself is that its high-speed performance creates a bottleneck for lighting gear, forcing expensive investments in specialized strobes to keep up with the 10 FPS rate. For his lighting setups, the powerful Sea & Sea YS-250 strobes successfully handle the...

Nikon D500 Review Summary The Nikon D500 is a powerful, high-end DX-format camera designed for photographers who need speed and extra reach. Its standout features include a blazing fast frame rate of 10 frames per second and an advanced autofocus system that covers almost the entire viewfinder. These capabilities make it a phenomenal tool for sports, wildlife, and macro photographers. It delivers excellent low-light performance with a massive ISO range up to 512,000, which significantly cuts down on image noise compared to older models. Additionally, it features a highly convenient built-in viewfinder blind for long exposures, a helpful tilting touchscreen for easy menu navigation, and dual memory card slots that support ultra-fast XQD cards to handle rapid burst shooting. Despite its impressive performance, the camera has a few notable drawbacks. It is physically large and quite heavy, which might catch users off guard if they expect a smaller cropped-sensor body. The reviewer also noted a distinct overall blue color cast in the images, which sometimes made blue tones appear far more vibrant than they were in real life. Furthermore, using...

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Nikon D500 as a durable, weather-sealed APS-C DSLR featuring a 20.9-megapixel sensor, EXPEED 5 processor, and a 153-point autofocus system. Its standout performance includes a 10fps continuous shooting rate, impressive noise control, and a high-resolution tilting touchscreen, making it a top choice for speed-focused photography. While the D500 offers excellent 4K video, the review notes a lack of a built-in flash and observes that contrast-detection autofocus in Live View mode can be prone to hunting. Additionally, its premium pricing positions it as a high-end tool aimed specifically at dedicated sports and wildlife photographers.

The Nikon D500 is an outstanding, pro-grade APS-C digital SLR designed to replace the aging D300S and excel in high-speed photography fields like wildlife and sports action. Built with robust, dust- and weather-resistant construction, it features a 20.9-megapixel CMOS sensor that omits an optical low-pass filter to ensure maximum image sharpness. Performance stands out as its defining trait, boasting a rapid 10fps continuous shooting speed and an industry-leading 153-point autofocus system that blankets the frame horizontally from edge to edge. Additional operational pros include a massive shooting buffer (up to 200 Raw or JPG images using fast XQD media), superb high ISO image quality up to a native sensitivity of 51,200, an automated AF Fine Tune calibration tool, dual memory card slots (XQD and SD), and a high-resolution 3.2-inch tilting touch-screen LCD. Despite the lack of built-in flash, the D500 is a top-end performer in almost every regard, replacing the Canon EOS 7D Mark II as the Editor's Choice for enthusiast and professional APS-C SLRs.

The ⁠Stuff Review of the Nikon D500 awards the camera a perfect 5 out of 5 stars, hailing it as a top-performing, action-oriented DSLR that inherits premium features from the more expensive Nikon D5. The reviewer praises its robust, weather-resistant build, extensive physical controls, and highly advanced 153-point autofocus system that excels at tracking unpredictable subjects in various lighting conditions. Additional key strengths include its rapid 10fps burst rate with a quick-clearing buffer, a bright 100% field-of-view optical viewfinder, a tilting touchscreen, 4K video recording, and low-power SnapBridge Bluetooth technology for seamless automatic image transfers to smartphones. Image quality is described as vibrant and detailed, providing natural JPEGs and clean RAW files even at higher ISO sensitivities. Despite its high praise, the review identifies a few drawbacks, most notably its steep initial price tag of £1,729 (body only), which is quite high for an APS-C sensor camera. While the camera boasts an astronomical expanded ISO of 1,640,000, images become practically unusable at that extreme, with digital noise smoothing becoming noticeable starting at ISO 12,800 and reaching its functional limit for...

Ken Rockwell identifies the Nikon D500 as the fastest DX DSLR ever made, highlighting its 10 frames-per-second speed, advanced autofocus system inherited from the Nikon D5, and exceptional auto white balance. The camera offers high-ISO performance up to 51,200 and practical features like illuminated buttons, making it an excellent choice for, sports and action photography. Ken Rockwell Conversely, the review notes that the D500 is specialized for motion, with only 55 manually selectable AF points despite the 153-point system, and recommends full-frame alternatives for landscape work. Additionally, the pro-oriented body lacks a built-in flash, requiring external speedlights for lighting, and is considered a niche tool for speed rather than general-purpose shooting.

Nikon D500 Review Summary The Nikon D500 is a powerful, fast, and highly capable flagship DX-format DSLR that excels specifically as a general-purpose wildlife photography camera. Its standout feature is the advanced 153-point Multi-CAM 20K autofocus system, which delivers nearly edge-to-edge viewfinder coverage, granting photographers liberating freedom in subject composition. Built for speed, the camera boasts a rapid 10 frames-per-second continuous shooting rate paired with a massive 200-frame RAW buffer that clears almost instantly via its fast XQD card slot. Physically, it offers superb ergonomics, a deep grip, backlit buttons for night shooting, a premium round viewfinder eyepiece, and an incredibly useful tilting, touch-sensitive high-resolution rear screen. Furthermore, its 20.9-megapixel sensor yields an attractive grain structure and impressive dynamic range that allows for excellent exposure recovery (up to 3 or 4 stops) at lower ISO values. Despite its high-end pedigree, the D500 carries a few distinct limitations. While its image quality and dynamic range are excellent at low-to-mid sensitivities, it is not an absolute low-light machine; noise becomes restrictive beyond ISO 12,800, placing its low-light performance two to three stops...

The Nikon D500 stands out as an exceptional DX-format crop-sensor DSLR, particularly well-suited for distant action and wildlife photography due to its advanced internal processing system. It shares the exact same "Psychic" autofocus engine and dedicated processor as the flagship Nikon D5, delivering identical tracking speeds and accuracy but covering a much larger relative area of the frame. In real-world tests tracking fast-moving subjects like owls and eagles head-on, the camera borders on perfect execution—consistently locking focus on the subject's head even against highly complex, busy backgrounds that match the subject's colour. Additionally, it packs a massive upgrade in continuous shooting frame rates, readout speed, and physical build quality over previous crop models. However, despite these premium enhancements, the camera still carries the inherent compromises of a smaller DX crop sensor. While the sensor provides an advantageous effective focal length multiplier for extra zoom reach, its smaller photosites gather less light than full-frame alternatives, creating a slight drop-off in total image quality when the light goes down. Even so, the cons are relatively minor; the reviewer noted that low-light noise...

The Nikon D500 marks a triumphant return to the high-end APS-C DSLR market, delivering a professional-grade, weatherproof body with exceptional speed and autofocus tailored specifically for sports and wildlife photographers. It stands out with a 20-megapixel sensor, blistering 10fps continuous shooting, and a remarkably deep 200-frame RAW buffer when using XQD cards. Its standout feature is the advanced 153-point autofocus system inherited from the flagship D5, providing dense, edge-to-edge frame coverage that tracks moving subjects with incredible precision. Additionally, users benefit from a large optical viewfinder, a sturdy tilting touchscreen, backlit buttons for low-light operation, and SnapBridge Bluetooth technology for automated background image transfers to smartphones. Despite its strengths, the camera suffers from several critical drawbacks, particularly concerning video and modern mirrorless conveniences. While it introduces 4K UHD video recording, the footage is subject to a heavy 1.5x crop (resulting in a restrictive 2.25x total field reduction), making wide-angle shooting difficult. Video and live-view workflows are further hindered by slow, audible contrast-based autofocus, the complete absence of focus peaking, and an lack of frame rates above 1080/60p. Furthermore, traditional Wi-Fi...

The Nikon D500 serves as a professional-grade, APS-C format DSLR designed specifically for action and wildlife photographers seeking a lighter alternative to bulky full-frame models. Equipped with a 20.9MP DX-format sensor and the EXPEED 5 processing engine, it delivers high-quality low-light imagery with a standard sensitivity range up to ISO 51,200. Action tracking is exceptionally strong, offering continuous shooting speeds of up to 10 frames per second for up to 200 consecutive 14-bit lossless compressed raw files. Video capabilities are equally impressive, enabling internal 4K UHD movie recording for up to roughly 30 minutes, supported by a 3.2-inch tilt-angle touchscreen for flexible composition. The camera balances several standout advantages with a few distinct physical limitations. Its primary pros include a brilliant autofocus system, highly rugged weather-sealed metal body construction, polished physical handling, and a dual-card setup accommodating both SD and ultra-fast XQD cards. Additionally, the introduction of SnapBridge technology keeps the camera permanently linked to smart devices via Bluetooth for automatic image transfers. On the downside, the cons highlight that the autofocus performance slows down significantly during Live View mode....

The Nikon D500 is a highly capable all-around camera, despite being traditionally marketed as a flagship APS-C body for action and wildlife photography. Built with the rugged chassis of a D810 and the ergonomics of a D5, it features a 21-megapixel sensor, dual memory card slots (SD and XQD), built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and illuminated buttons. Its autofocus system is exceptional, boasting 153 AF points (including 99 cross-type) that extend across the entire frame, which significantly benefits creative composition for weddings and portraits. Additionally, the review notes that the camera delivers outstanding, high ISO capabilities that rival full-frame alternatives like the D750, a quiet mirror mechanism, and a remarkable five stops of exposure latitude for dynamic range recovery. Conversely, the review points out several design and performance drawbacks to consider. The smaller APS-C crop sensor results in a slightly less pleasing background bokeh compared to full-frame setups, making it harder to fully isolate a subject during portrait sessions. The camera also completely lacks in-body image stabilization (IBIS), and its battery drains noticeably quicker than older DSLR models like the D750...

Steve Perry’s review on Backcountry Gallery identifies the Nikon D500 as a premier DX-format DSLR for wildlife and action, highlighting its revolutionary 153-point AF system, 10 fps shooting, and deep, 200-shot buffer. The camera offers excellent handling with a dedicated AF joystick, tilting touchscreen, and superior low-light, low-noise performance up to ISO 1600. Conversely, image details begin to degrade past ISO 4000, and the built-in Automated AF Fine-Tune feature proved less reliable than traditional manual calibration. Furthermore, the D500 lacks a pop-up flash, requiring external units for fill flash scenarios.