Main Specifications
type: DSLR
sensor: 20.9MP APS-C
Lens mount: Nikon F
ISO range: 100-51,200 (exp 50-1,640,000)
Finder: Optical, 1x mug, 100% coverage
Video function: 4K 30p / 1080p 60p
weight: £ 1.68
size: 5.79 x 4.53 x 3.19 inches
Memory card type: 1x SD, 1x XQD / CFexpress B
The APS-C system rarely has the power of a full-frame flagship, but that’s the case with the Nikon D500. This crop sensor camera (not the full-frame “FX format”, but called “DX format” in Nikon’s nomenclature) is probably the best bang for back body Nikon has ever released when it comes to DSLRs. is.
With speed, image quality and build quality one step lower than its professional siblings, the D500 is a remarkable force. Also, thanks to the 1.5x crop factor of the small sensor, the effective focal length of the lens is extended and it becomes one of the lenses. Best wildlife photography camera..
Its 20.9MP image sensor is extremely high performance and boasts a maximum ISO of 1.64 million. This means that performance is maintained even in harsh low light conditions. With a continuous shooting speed of 10 fps, the D500 can handle fast-moving sports and desperately moving animals. It also backs up these bursts to dual memory card slots to ensure image safety.
Add a ferocious autofocus system and weather sealing to protect it from the elements. The Nikon D500 is a camera that will always last and never let you down, no matter where you are shooting.
Nikon D500 Review: Design
- Weather sealing
- Illuminated button
- Tilt the touch screen
D500 is not very It’s as sturdy as the full-frame Nikon D850, but quite close. The metal chassis is robust enough to withstand the types of shocks and scratches that can occur in the field, and weather resistance provides safe protection from the elements. Indeed, speaking of both semi-professional status and Nikon’s sealing efforts, the camera throws away pop-up flashes in favor of more thorough protection.
In order to continue shooting even when the light goes out, the D500 not only boasts an impressive ISO sensitivity, but also the key buttons on the main unit are lit so that you can see it even in the dark. Also, the LCD panel on the top will light up, so look at your settings.
Inspired by a professional camera, there is a joystick that allows you to quickly move the focus point while shooting. Also, while a fully articulated screen is desirable, the rear LCD is at least tilted (useful for low-angle shots and video shoots) and also provides touch control.
Nikon D500 Review: Functionality
- 10fps burst shooting
- Up to 4K 30p video
- Dual memory card
Additional kit
Kit lens: Nikkor 16-80mmf / 2.8-4E ED VR
Best wide-angle lens: Tamron 10-24mmf / 3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD
Best zoom lens: Nikkor AF-P70-300mmf / 4.5-5.6E ED VR
Spare battery type: Nikon EN-EL15
It’s as impressive as the Nikon D500’s ability to deliver a continuous burst of 10 frames per second, but even more impressive is its buffer capacity. The camera can capture up to 200 14-bit uncompressed RAW files. That’s enough to make sure you don’t miss a momentary action.
In addition to 20.9MP still images (with slightly higher resolution than the Nikon D6, which was BigN’s flagship professional camera until the launch of the Nikon Z9), the D500 can healthy capture up to 30p of crisp 4K video. Bitrate 144Mbps – Note that this causes serious cropping (see below for details).
To maximize both blazing burst speeds and 4K bitrates, the camera supports both standard SD cards and ultra-fast XQD and CFexpress Type B formats. (The former is expensive and a bit outdated, so choose the standard CFexpress format now.) This means that you can take out your existing SD card and shoot right away without investing in new memory standards. Means straight away.
Nikon D500 Review: Performance
- Great burst speed
- Intense autofocus
- Battery power for several days
The D500 is an absolute flagship product. If you’re shooting animals or actions, kick the setting to high-speed shooting mode and the camera will machine gun the frame at a blazing pace. It also features a very robust autofocus system that tracks the subject even in dense foliage that confuses other cameras.
Image files are untouched and packed with details, despite their relatively low resolution. In addition, the 1.5x crop factor allows you to squeeze even more reach out of the lens. This changed the 200-500 mm zoom to 300-750 mm. In other words, I was able to fill the frame without cropping precious pixels.
Unfortunately, the performance hasn’t been completely carried over to the video. In addition to the 1.5x crop factor called by the APS-C sensor size, additional cropping is applied when shooting in 4K. This creates a 2.25x crop, which makes shooting at wide angles very difficult (16-for example, 35mm is now 36-79mm in 4K).
In addition, live view mode has been relegated to contrast detection AF, which means that shooting video will lose great autofocus. This causes a lot of hunting and pulses on the shot.
This means that the D500 is not the best solution for shooting video. However, still images are an absolute beast, especially if you need to extend your reach without buying new glass.
Should I buy a Nikon D500?
Whether you’re looking for an affordable alternative to a full-frame DSLR or want to take advantage of the focal length of the crop sensor format, the Nikon D500 will give you absolutely great results.
It’s not our go-to camera for shooting video, but when it comes to still images, we can’t just fail it. Burst shots as fast as hiccups, nimble autofocus, image quality worthy of wall prints and publications, and hours of battery life in the field … that’s all you can ask for.
If this product doesn’t suit you
For beginners, families, and anyone who wants to take great photos with minimal effort and knowledge, the Nikon Coolpix P1000 is for you. The image quality is a few notches below the D500, but with an unprecedented range of 24-3000mm. It’s a collection of almost every camera lens you need.
If you’re looking for a full-frame camera, the Nikon D850 (Opens in a new tab) It boasts almost all the strengths of the D500, but with a larger 45.7MP sensor, better ISO performance, and weatherability (although the D500 actually outperforms it in terms of continuous burst speed). ..
Want to go mirrorless?If you’re new to the Nikon ecosystem, we recommend the powerful Canon EOS R5. (Opens in a new tab).. It’s a much more expensive option, but it boasts the best animal AF system I’ve ever used, capturing gorgeous 45MP images, shooting stunning 8K video (and extracting 35MP stills from video). We also offer completely silent shooting. Not to surprise your subject.