Nikon D500 Review

Although Nikon appeared to be a little unsure about the continued relevance of the format for a few years, the D500 is one of the most expensive APS-C ILCs currently available on the market. However, the D500’s sheer capability demonstrates that the format is still relevant in the market.

The pixel count and sensor size enable the camera to accomplish a shooting speed of 10 frames per second while providing an effective additional reach of 1.5 times in comparison to a full-frame (albeit at an image quality cost).

This combination is what makes the camera so appealing. But, unfortunately, their competitors with lower prices can equal the image quality of the D500, at least in the vast majority of ordinary shooting settings.

On paper, cameras like the Canon EOS 7D Mark II and Sony’s a6300 look to provide capabilities equivalent. However, these appearances prove to be deceiving in real-world use, as the focusing and continuous shooting performance of the D500 is substantially better.

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Nikon D500 Body

The D500 has excellent ergonomics overall. It is not so much a concern of size (though the hefty handgrip is good) but rather the arrangement of the controls and how logically they are laid out. You have easy access to most of the features you could desire since most essentialist functions have been put where you can easily reach them, along with an appropriate amount of customizable buttons close at hand.

Additionally, the camera makes excellent use of its command dials. As a result, you can manage several of the camera’s capabilities by simply pushing a button and rotating a dial, eliminating the need to navigate through the camera’s menus.

Compared to earlier Nikon models, the D500 providesbroaderder variety of options and a more significant number of customizable buttons than its predecessors. This is beneficial f it makes setting up the camera take a little bit more time, and it also significantly expands the variety of methods of operation that the example options may be fitted to. Opportunities that allow the user to temporarily switch to a diffs point mode, for instance, appetite, helpful.

The construction gives off a comforting sense of robustness; based on accidental first-hand experience, I can tell that the purported “dust and water resistance” counts for something, even though the scope of its applicability is a little bit hazy.

The Nikon D500 is a large and hefty camera compared to any of its mirrorless competitors (it is even more. Still, theater than the Nikon D750). Still, the size and weight are acceptable, given its features. It may be less likely that you will take it all the time, but when you need the photos it’ll get, make an effort to bring it with you.

The much-touted Snapbridge Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technology that several the camera has several limitations. Its operation seems poorly adapted to the sorts of photography that users are most likely to perform with the D500.

Nikon D500 Autofocus

The D500’s autofocus is exceptional; it’s tied for first place with the D5, which is quite an accomplishment. The Nikon D500 comes when mirrorless cameras seem to be narrowing the gap regarding tracking basic subjects. However, the D500 come wholly and alloys them and DSLR competitors.

It’s not just about the mirrorless-like across-the-frame autofocus coverage or the number of cross-type focus points; it’s also about some of the best subjecttrackingsg we’ve ever seen and the fine-grained customization that enables the behavior to be tailored to shoot a wide variety of disports.

In addition, the D500 makes the process of autofocus fine-tuning easier (at least in obtaining a value relative to the central AF point). This helps reduce some of the inaccuracies across various camera bodies and lenses.

These capabilities are enhanced by the camera’s improved level of customization in comparison to earlier versions produced by Nikon. However, it is difficult to grasp the usefulness of temporarily activating a new AF point mode until you have experienced it, whether in response to a change in the action or a move to another shooting circumstance.

It is not quite as simple to keep up with the action since the viewfinder blackout is relatively ITE as astonishingly short as it is on the D5. However, it is still quireasonableood compared to virtually anything else. Tinder is a delight, making it ideal for shooting more significant considerations. The APS-C DSLR comes the closest in size to a full-frame viewfinder.

Nikon D500 Image quality

The image quality of the D500, even though it is pretty high, is perhaps characteristic of the camera that is the least “stand-out.” However, that’s not because it lacks qualitinsteadher; it’s because other cameras, like Nikon’s D7200 and Sony’s a6300, have improved to such a degree that the D500 can’t differentiate itself from the competition.

The camera’s dynamic range and high ISO noise performance are as outstanding as we’ve ever seen an fr-C sensor; it’s ISO invariant, and on par with the best we’ve tested. In the end, though, the camera’s performance is as good as we’ve seen from any APS-C sensor.

The JPEG noise reduction isn’t as subtle as it might be, and neither is the camera’s sharpness, which has a huge radius and sometimes makes fine detachallengingult to make. Thankfully, both can be modified, and the in-camera Raw conversion mechanism makes it very simple to zero in on a configuration that gives you the desired results.

Nikon D500 Video

The D500’s ability to capture still images is far more outstanding than its video capabilities. Nikon has tried to improve the camera’s handling during video capture, as we saw on the D810. There are now exposure highlight warnings and power aperture control, which means you don’t have to drop in and out of live View to make adjustments. These improvements were made possible by Nikon’s work on the D810.

Regrettably, there are still just a limited number of tools available to guide the manual focus, and sometimes bAs a result, a little shaky at times, making it unsuitable for use when taking essential clips. This, in turn, reduces the usefulness of the touchscreen when capturing video.

The tilt-up monitor and the availability of a microphone and headphone connectors are helpful additions; nevertheless, the aspect that gives us the most significant cause for concern is the aspect ratio the camera employs while capturing 4K video.

The 4K footage looks quite decent, even though it isn’t quite up there with the best of its contemporaries. Still, a 2.25x crop, compared to full frame, restricts the available possibilities if you want to tahighlyely wide-angle footage.

Nikon D500 Specs

Body type	Mid-size SLR
Sensor
Max resolution	5568 x 3712
Other resolutions	4176 x 2784, 2784 x 1856
Image ratio w h	3:2
Effective pixels	21 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	22 megapixels
Sensor size	APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm)
Sensor type	CMOS
Processor	Expeed 5
Image
ISO	ISO 100 – 51200 (expandable to 50 – 1640000)
Boosted ISO (minimum)	50
Boosted ISO (maximum)	1640000
White balance presets	12
Custom white balance	Yes (5)
Image stabilization	No
Uncompressed format	RAW + TIFF
JPEG quality levels	Fine, Normal, Basic
Optics & Focus
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMularea selective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousFace DetectionLive View.
Autofocus assist lamp	No
Digital zoom	No
Manual focus	Yes
Number of focus points	153
Lens mount	Nikon F
Focal length multiplier	1.5×
Screen/viewfinder
Articulated LCD	Tilting
Screen size	3.2″
Screen dots	2,359,000
Touch screen	Yes
Screen type	TFT LCD
Live View	Yes
Viewfinder type	Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage	100%
Viewfinder magnification	1× (0.67× 35mm equiv.)
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed	30 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/8000 sec
Built-in flash	No
External flash	Yes (Hot-shoe, Wireless plus sync connector)
Flash modes	Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow synRear-curtains in
Flash X sync speed	1/250 sec
Continuous drive	10.0 fps
Self-timer	Yes (2, 5, 10, or 20 sec)
Metering modes	MultiCenter-weightedHighligweighted spot pot
Exposure compensation	±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	(2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV, 2 EV steps)
WB Bracketing	Yes (2 or 9 frames in steps of 1,,2, or 3 mired)
Videography features
Resolutions	4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p
Format	MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Storage
Storage types	SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) + XQD
Storage included	None
Connectivity
USB	USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (mini-HDMI)
Microphone port	Yes
Headphone port	Yes
Wireless	Built-In
Wireless notes	Wi-Fi Bluetooth
Remote control	Yes (Optional, wired or wireless )
Physical
Environmentally sealed	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	1240
Weight (inc. batteries)	860 g (1.90 lb / 30.34 oz)
Dimensions	147 x 115 x 81 mm (5.79 x 4.53 x 3.19″)
Other features
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	Yes
GPS	Optional
GPS notes	GP-1

Nikon D500 Final Verdict

The Nikon D500 is, undoubtedly, one of the most impressive single-lens reflex cameras (DSLR) Everyone evaluated. Everyone who has taken it up, regardless of which brands we have most often shot with, has been pleased by its autofocus system, comprehensive ide coverage, and ability to identify and follow a subject. But, again, this is true regardless of which brands we have most frequently shot with.

If you want this advantage viewfinder, a sturdy body, and the ability to continue shooting without stopping, then the D500 is without competition. Although it is not inexpensive, it appears to be a very excellent bargain when because it offers a significant portion of the features of the D5 for a much lower price.

Suppose you don’t require cutting-edge high-speed performance. In that case, cameras like the D7200 offer the same picture quality, and better options are available if you want to take video. However, when it comes to capturing sports and animals with an APS-C sensor, the D500 has no competition, which propels it to the top of our awards podium.

Nikon D500 FAQs