• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Nikon D500 advantages over Sony A9 II

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $1597 vs $4498*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1240 vs 690 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher-res screen
    590k vs 360k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    1638400 vs 204800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A9 II 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.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.93 vs 4.22 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer video battery life
    110 vs 50 minutes
    Capture more video
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Newer
    4 years vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.67x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.9 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 10.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    361 vs 200 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 10.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

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).

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
Sony A9 II
Pentax K-3 II
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sony A68

Nikon D500
Sony A68
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Sony A9 II
Sony A68
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D500
Pentax KP
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Sony A9 II
Pentax KP
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sony A9

Nikon D500
Sony A9
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A9 II
Sony A9
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Newer
  • $3147
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive

Compared to Canon R6

Nikon D500
Canon R6
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $2149
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Sony A9 II
Canon R6
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • More pixels
  • $2149
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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