Camera Overview

D500 is Nikon’s flagship DX-format APS-C DSLR launched in 2016, replacing their older D300S. This highly-rated camera is also available with a 16-80 mm VR lens kit along with a body-only variant.

Experts' Opinion / Reviews

With a tough & rugged build quality, the D500 is one of the best DSLRs from Nikon. It’s 20-megapixel APS-C sensor produces superb quality images. It has a brilliant autofocus system, a fast continuous shooting speed at 10 fps and a big buffer size. This makes the D500 a great choice for action, sports, and wildlife photography.

But it’s sensor also makes it not so good a choice for high-resolution scenarios like Landscape photography. Also, Nikon D500’s Autofocus performance for video is not great and 4K video is cropped making it a poor choice for video-centric uses with better alternatives out there.

Pros

  • Superb image quality
  • Fast continuous shooting speed
  • Brilliant Auto-Focus system
  • Tough & Durable build quality with a weatherproof body
  • Great ergonomics & handling
  • Great controls with backlit buttons
  • very good high ISO image quality
  • Excellent Optical Viewfinder
  • Dual memory card slots

Cons

  • Slow Live View Auto-Focus
  • Limited Touchscreen control
  • No built-in flash
  • Poor video Autofocus
  • 4K video is cropped
  • 1080p video goes only up to 60 fps
  • Big for an APS-C camera
  • Expensive for an APS-C camera

Camera Details

Nikon D500

Date

Jan 5th2016

Rating

19 Reviews
9.2

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DPReviewMay 25th, 2016
9.1

Nikon D500 Review

The D500 is among the best DSLRs we’ve ever tested. Its strengths are its superlative autofocus combined with the ability to keep shooting at 10 frames per second. There are other APS-C cameras that offer similarly excellent image quality but none that offer the speed, ergonomics and dependability of the D500.

Richard ButlerReview
Digital Camera WorldOct 13th, 2018
9.4

Nikon D500 review

The D500 is a dream camera. It has a fast, effective autofocus system, 10fps shooting capability and first-rate metering and white balance systems. For the money, this might be the best digital SLR Nikon has ever made. Its 4K video, high-tech autofocus and overall image quality raise the bar for APS-C SLRs.

Digital CameraReview
Imaging ResourceJun 23rd, 2017
10

Nikon D500 Review

While not a compact DSLR, the Nikon D500 offers a lot of imaging capabilities in its rugged, pro-oriented camera body. It also has a very good 153-point AF system, fast continuous shooting performance and 4K UHD video recording, making it one of the most capable, well-rounded DSLRs that Nikon has released in a long time. Its $2,000 price tag is quite high for a DX camera, but is it worth the cost?

Jeremy Gray & OthersReview
CameralabsJun 13th, 2016
9.0

Nikon D500 review

The combination of a new 20 Megapixel sensor, 10fps continuous shooting, a deep buffer (especially if you’re using XQD cards), and a new 153-point AF system shared with the D5, makes for a supremely confident camera. In my tests the D500 effortlessly tracked any subject I pointed it at, rattling-off bursts of focused images with eerie precision and consistency. On top of that you’re getting a large viewfinder, twin memory card slots, tough build quality, and backlit buttons which make it easy to use in the dark.

Gordon LaingReview
TechRadarNov 15th, 2017
9.0

Nikon D500 review

At last Nikon has a professional-level APS-C-format camera to replace the D300S and compete with Canon’s EOS 7D Mk II. It’s a fantastic DSLR that’s packed with pro-spec features, including an impressive AF system and great low-light credentials that enable it to produce high-quality pictures in a wide range of conditions. A brilliant choice for the action and wildlife photographer.

Phil Hall, Angela NicholsonReview
Digital TrendsJun 17th, 2016
9.0

Nikon D500 review

Well, Nikon has certainly delivered a lot with the new D500. Given the quality of the stills, it holds its own against more expensive full-frame cameras. This camera is a slam-dunk for Editors’ Choice winner, and, depending on what comes down the road, it is a contender for the Camera of The Year. Nikon pulled out the stops for this APS-C model and it really shows.

David ElrichReview
PCMagMay 23rd, 2016
9.0

Nikon D500 Review & Rating

The Nikon D500 puts the company’s finest autofocus system in a tough, compact SLR body that will please demanding enthusiasts and pros alike.

Jim FisherReview
Trusted ReviewsApr 21st, 2017
9.0

Nikon D500 Review

There’s a huge amount to love about the Nikon D500. Those who’ve been waiting so long for a D300S replacement should be thrilled by the fantastic camera Nikon has produced.

Amy DaviesReview
StuffJun 12th, 2017
10

Nikon D500 review

The best APS-C camera you can buy and well worth its slightly painful price tag

Amy DaviesReview
Expert ReviewsJun 17th, 2016
10

Nikon D500 review

Nikon appears to be on a mission to pack the best of everything into this camera, and by and large it has succeeded. It looks, feels and behaves like a quality piece of kit, it rarely keeps you waiting and it’s unfazed by tricky shooting conditions. The small trade-off in image quality that comes from the cropped sensor is more than compensated for by the superb features and performance. It’s not the best video camera at this price, but I’ll stick my neck out and say that this is the best stills camera under £2,000. Using it is a joyful experience, and the photos it captures are equally rewarding.

Ben PittReview
Photography BlogMay 18th, 2016
10

Nikon D500 Review

While it’s true that the Nikon D500 isn’t the cheapest APS-C DSLR you can buy, it offers an incredibly diverse array of features which should suit many different types of photographers. Image quality is also very high, with the ability to record videos in 4K also making it appealing to videographers, or photographers who like to record video alongside stills.

Amy DaviesReview
Camera JabberJul 1st, 2016
8.8

Nikon D500 review

The D500 is also very durable and although there are a couple of handling niggles that are familiar from other Nikon DSLRs, it’s a pleasure to use. It adds up to being an excellent camera. It’s particularly pleasing that owners of other Nikon DX format cameras and lenses now have a model to upgrade to without having to go for a full-frame (FX) camera.

Angela NicholsonReview
The PhoblographerJul 8th, 2016
8.0

Review: Nikon D500

The Nikon D500 is an incredibly capable camera–and I honestly recommend it for both pros and semi-pros. It offers very good image quality, superb battery life, great ergonomics, high reliability in the autofocus department and a load of other cools things like WiFi.

It’s a seriously great camera that I’d recommend to sports, photojournalist and wildlife shooters. They’re bound to make the most of it.

Chris GampatReview
ePHOTOzineMay 6th, 2016
9.0

Nikon D500 Expert Review

The Nikon D500 offers the best ISO performance of any camera in this class, along with the latest connectivity and some truly useful features.

Joshua WallerReview
Pocket-lintSep 8th, 2016
10

Nikon D500 review

The Nikon D500 is certainly a contender for the best APS-C camera made to date. There are only some small gaps, such as unnecessary extended “Hi” ISO settings, slight hunting in the live view autofocus, but otherwise its awesome autofocus system and all-round capabilities are second to none.

Mike LoweReview
Photography Life
9.0

Nikon D500 Review

One month, 11,000 frames, and I didn’t pick up my D810 once. Tom Redd, who owns a D4 and D500, summed it up when he told me if he were to sell a camera today, it would be the D4. Before we knew there would be a D300S successor, many questioned if a market even still existed for that kind of camera. Seems funny now. Nikon is going to sell a lot of D500s for sure!

John LawsonReview
CNETJul 25th, 2016
8.4

Nikon D500 review

There’s tons to like about the Nikon D500, from its fast shooting and excellent image quality to its broad feature set and streamlined design. But it still falls short with its Live View autofocus and seriously subpar wireless file transfer and shooting operation.

Lori GruninReview
Digital Photography SchoolJan 1st, 2017
9.0

Review of the New Flagship DX Camera – The Nikon D500

The Nikon D500 is a great camera and anyone who purchases it will really enjoy using it. Full frame is great, but if you are a photographer who likes to zoom in, then the DX may suit you more. If you shoot sports, birds, wildlife or macro, look at this camera, it could be just what you need.

Leanne ColeReview
Nature TTLJul 7th, 2016
10

Nikon D500 Review

It has been a long time coming, but at last Nikon have provided the camera so many photographers have wanted. A high speed, high performing camera for those of us in an action orientated genre. It’s not a budget camera by any means, but given the features and performance it shares with its big brother the D5, it is fair to say that it still represents very good value.

Alan HewittReview
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