• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
  • Nikon D500
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Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Nikon D300S
D300S vs D500
Successor:    
General
Model Number: DSLR-A550 D500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $1049.99 $1999.95
Street Price: $859.40 $1,598.45
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2016-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 32.2 oz (912 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
30.2 oz (856 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
5.8 x 4.5 x 3.2 in.
(147 x 115 x 81 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 20.9
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.16 microns 4.22 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 66 83
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.9 24.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.8 14.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 807 1,324
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4592 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3344 x 2224 (7.4 MP, 3:2),
3344 x 1872 (6.3 MP, Other),
2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other)
5568 x 3712 (20.7 MP, 3:2),
4176 x 2784 (11.6 MP, 3:2),
2784 x 1856 (5.2 MP, 3:2),
4272 x 2848 (12.2 MP, 3:2),
3200 x 2136 (6.8 MP, 3:2),
2128 x 1424 (3.0 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG (EXIF 2.3), NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed, L/M/S; RAW+JPEG, TIFF
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.7 10.2
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
Movie File Format:   MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Nikon F
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm  
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm  
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 55.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes OVF: Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 20K autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection fine-tuning, and 153 focus points (including 99 cross-type sensors and 15 sensors that support f/8), of which 55 (35 cross-type sensors and 9 f/8 sensors) are available for selection; ; Contrast-detect AF in Live View mode
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter SLR type: eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.0x magnification (~0.67x 35mm eq.), 16mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x 0.67x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x 1.00x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 2,359,000 dots (589,750 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x  
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto, ISO 100 - 51200, expandable to Lo-1 ISO 50 to Hi-5 ISO 1,638,400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto (3 types), Cloudy, Shade, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Fluorescent (7 types), Incandescent, Kelvin Color Temperature (2,500K-10,000K), Preset manual (up to 6); Fine tuning available.
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) TTL exposure metering using RGB sensor with approximately 180K (180,000) pixels; Matrix: 3D color matrix metering III (type G, E, and D lenses), color matrix metering III (other CPU lenses); Center-weighted (weight of approximately 75% given to 8mm circle in center of frame. Diameter of circle can be changed to 6, 10, or 13mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame (non-CPU lenses use 8-mm circle); Spot: meters circle with diameter of about 3.5mm (about 2.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used); Highlight-weighted: Available with type G, E, and D lenses
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View N/A
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2/5/10/20s; 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Front curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, Auto FP High-Speed Sync supported
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe Hot Shoe, PC-sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC XQD / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-II
Other Memory:   Dual slots, XQD+SD
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed, L/M/S; RAW+JPEG, TIFF
Movie File Format:   MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired Optional: wired or wireless
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote Type-C Mini HDMI with uncompressed video support, 10-pin Remote Terminal, PC Sync
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.41 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.41  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 19  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.7 10.2
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 15 200
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   10.2
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   200
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   10.2
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   27
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.17 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.103 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.178 seconds 0.049 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.049 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View shutter lag: 0.188s  
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds 0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.5 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 950 shots 1240 shots
Battery Life, Video:   50 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary EN-EL15, optional MB-D17 battery grip
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 1 x Proprietary EN-EL15 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM ViewNX-i, ViewNX-Movie Editor, Capture NX-D, Nikon Transfer 2, Picture Control Utility 2 downloads
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+) Windows 7/8/10, Mac OS X 10.9.5-10.11.5
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output, 7 fps (AF/AE Locked).