• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 80 - 102,400

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Differences

Nikon D500 advantages over Sony A7S III

  • Less expensive
    $1597 vs $3498*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More pixels
    20.9 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    1638400 vs 409600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A7S III 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.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 8.40 vs 4.22 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Newer
    4 years vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    614g vs 856g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.90x vs 0.67x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

  • 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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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).

  • Read our Nikon D500 Review

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

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II

Sony A7S III
Pentax K-3 II
  • $3498
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony A7S III vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Sony A68

Nikon D500
Sony A68
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A68

Sony A7S III
Sony A68
  • $3498
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Sony A7S III vs Sony A68

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D500
Pentax KP
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax KP

Sony A7S III
Pentax KP
  • $3498
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony A7S III vs Pentax KP

Compared to Sony A9 II

Nikon D500
Sony A9 II
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A9 II

Sony A7S III
Sony A9 II
  • $3498
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • More pixels

Compare Sony A7S III vs Sony A9 II

Compared to Canon R6

Nikon D500
Canon R6
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $2149
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Canon R6

Sony A7S III
Canon R6
  • $3498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2149
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Sony A7S III vs Canon R6

Compare Other Cameras?