• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 45.7 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D500 advantages over Nikon D850

  • Less expensive
    $1597 vs $2197*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.2 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.2 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Higher extended ISO
    1638400 vs 102400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D850 advantages over Nikon D500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 0.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,660 vs 1,324 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer video battery life
    70 vs 50 minutes
    Capture more video
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1840 vs 1240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.75x vs 0.67x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    45.7 vs 20.9 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D500

Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality; Great high ISO performance; Rugged, comfortable camera body; Sharp articulating touchscreen display; Excellent AF point frame coverage; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K UHD video; Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth.

  • Somewhat large for an APS-C camera; Expensive for a DX camera; 4K UHD video doesn't offer full DX field-of-view; No built-in flash; Still uses contrast-detect for Live View AF; Dual slots use two different card types (XQD and SD).

  • Class-leading resolution; Excellent dynamic range; Very good high ISO performance; Very fast AF and burst shooting; Durable weather-sealed body; Improved ergonomics; Touchscreen; Dual card slots; 4K video.

  • Live view/video mode still uses sluggish contrast-detect AF; Viewfinder only tests at ~98% coverage; No 4K at 60p; 30-minute video clip limit; Focus peaking not supported with 4K.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D500
Pentax K-3 II
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Nikon D850
Pentax K-3 II
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony A68

Nikon D500
Sony A68
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Nikon D850
Sony A68
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony A99 II

Nikon D500
Sony A99 II
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Nikon D850
Sony A99 II
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D500
Pentax KP
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Nikon D850
Pentax KP
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D500
Pentax K-1 II
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D850
Pentax K-1 II
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
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