• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 810.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon Coolpix P500
  • Nikon D800
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon Coolpix P500 webpage
Manufacturer website
Nikon D800 webpage
Predecessor:   Nikon D700
D700 vs D800
Successor:   Nikon D810
D800 vs D810
General
Model Number: P500 D800
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: EVF Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $399.95 $2999.95
Street Price:   $1,849.95
Date Available: 2011-03-15 2012-03-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 17.6 oz (499 g)
includes batteries
35.6 oz (1,008 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.5 x 3.3 x 4.0 in.
(116 x 84 x 103 mm)
5.7 x 4.8 x 3.2 in.
(146 x 123 x 82 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 36.3
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 35mm
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 4.88 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type:   RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   95
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   25.3
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   14.4
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   2,853
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
3968 x 2232 (8.9 MP, 16:9),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1)
7360 x 4912 (36.2 MP, 3:2),
5520 x 3680 (20.3 MP, 3:2),
3680 x 2456 (9.0 MP, 3:2),
6114 x 4080 (24.9 MP, 3:2),
4608 x 3056 (14.1 MP, Other),
3072 x 2040 (6.3 MP, Other),
4800 x 3200 (15.4 MP, 3:2),
3600 x 2400 (8.6 MP, 3:2),
2400 x 1600 (3.8 MP, 3:2),
6144 x 4912 (30.2 MP, 5:4),
4608 x 3680 (17.0 MP, 5:4),
3072 x 2456 (7.5 MP, 5:4)
Image File Format: JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; TIFF
Continuous-mode frames/second: 8.0 4.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30/​15)
1280x720 (60/​30)
960x540 (30)
640x480 (120/​30)
320x240 (240)
1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p)
Movie File Format: .MOV (H.264/MPEG-4) MOV (H.265/MPEG-4 AVC, Linear PCM audio)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Nikon F
Lens: Zoom-Nikkor ED VR lens; 14 elements in 9 groups n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 23 - 810mm  
Focal Length (actual): 4 - 144mm  
Zoom Ratio: 36.00x  
Aperture Range: f/3.4 (wide) / f/5.7 (tele) - f/8  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range: 1 cm to Infinity
0.4 in to Infinity
 
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x 1.2x, 1.5x (DX), 5:4 crop modes
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF: Auto (9-area automatic selection), Center, Face priority, Manual with 99 focus areas, Subject tracking 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX including 15 cross-type sensors; f/8 supported by 11 central sensors; Contrast detection AF in Live View mode
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type; 0.24 in. TFT LCD, approx. 230,000 dot with diopter adjustment SLR; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x magnification, 17mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution:   n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.70x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   0.70x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 921,000 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x  
Top Deck Display: Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   6400
Minimum ISO (native):   100
ISO Settings: Auto (160 to 800), Fixed Range Auto (160 to 200, 160 to 400), High ISO Sensitivity Auto (ISO 160 to 1600) 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, 100 - 6400 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1EV steps, plus down to 50 in Lo-1, up to 25,600 in Hi-2
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Flash, Preset Manual (Custom) Auto (2), Incandescent, Fluorescent (7), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual (4), Color Temperature (2,500K-10,000K); Fine-tuning available for all options.
Shutter Speed Range: 1/1500 - 8 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Matrix, Center weighted, Spot, Spot AF Area 91K-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering III, Center-weighted (weight of 75% given to 12-mm circle in center of frame; diameter of circle can be changed to 8, 15 or 20 mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame), Spot (4mm circle or about 1.5% frame, centered on selected focus area)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: 19 Scene modes including Advanced Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Party/Indoor, Beach, Snow, Sunset, Dusk/dawn, Close-up, Food, Museum, Fireworks show, Black and white copy, Panorama, Pet portrait; Easy Panorama Scene mode None
Self Timer: 2 , 10, Smile seconds 2/5/10/20 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Flash off, Fill flash, Slow sync Front-curtain sync, Slow sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: [W]: 0.5 to 8.0 m (1 ft. 8 in. to 26 ft.) [T]: 2.2 to 4.5 m (7ft 3 in. to 14 ft.) Lens aperture dependent
Max Flash Sync:   1/250 (up to 1/320s with lower flash range)
Flash Exposure Compensation:   -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a ISO-type hot-shoe, PC Sync terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:   UDMA7/UHS-I compliant
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; TIFF
Movie File Format: .MOV (H.264/MPEG-4) MOV (H.265/MPEG-4 AVC, Linear PCM audio)
Included Memory: 102.0 MB No memory included
Included Memory Type: Internal  
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
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
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: No Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional wired or wireless
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI with CEC Mini HDMI (Type C), 10-pin Expansion Terminal (GP-1 GPS compatible), Stereo Mic Mini Jack (3.5mm), Stereo Audio Out (3.5mm)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 1.57 0.42
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   0.39
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   23
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.46
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 8.0 4.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 5 54
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   18
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   14
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.16 seconds 0.21 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.12 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):   1.74 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.184 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.044 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.22 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.012 seconds 0.043 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   OVF, Full Autofocus, 51-point Auto Area = 0.306s Live View, Full Autofocus = 1.735s Live View, Prefocused = 0.184s
Startup Time: 1.5 seconds 0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 7.5 seconds 3.8 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 220 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   900 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL5 Proprietary EN-EL15
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable or MB-D12 battery grip
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL5 Lithium-ion rechargeable 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: Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista/7, MacOS-X 10.4.11+ Windows, Mac OS X
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Tilting Hi-res LCD, 5-way VR Image Stabilization, Dual EXPEED C2 processors, full PASM, 19 Scene modes, full 1080p HD movies, HS movies up to 120 fps, HDMI output, Easy Panorama Scene mode, Advanced Night Landscape mode, Night Portrait mode, Smile Timer, Face Priority AF, Blink Warning, Red-eye Fix, Skin Softening, Best Shot Selector. Available in black or red. New 36.3-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, New EXPEED 3 processor, 91K-dot Matrix Metering III, Improved Auto ISO, Full HD 1080p30 movies, HMDI simultaneous output, Dual SD+CF slots, USB 3.0.