Nikon D500: Full Review

The Nikon D500 is Nikon's flagship APS-C DSLR camera, sitting above the popular D7500 in Nikon's DX-format DSLR lineup. Released in 2016, the D500 is a high-performance DX-format camera that excels for fast action photography and 4K video recording.

The D500 features a 20.9MP CMOS sensor and EXPEED 5 image processor that enable a fast continuous shooting speed of 10 fps with a deep buffer for extended high-speed bursts. The 153-point AF system covers a large portion of the frame and performs well in low light conditions down to -4EV.

For video, the D500 offers 4K UHD recording at 30p/25p/24p and Full HD at up to 60p. The tilting touchscreen LCD allows flexible viewing angles during still and video shooting. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth allow wireless image transfer and remote camera control.

Overall, the D500 delivers pro-level performance and speed in a compact, lightweight body. It's an excellent choice for sports, wildlife, landscape and event shooters who want the extra reach of a DX sensor paired with superb autofocus and fast burst shooting capabilities.

Body Design

The Nikon D500 has a durable and rugged body design that's ideal for use in tough environments. It features a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body that provides protection against dust and moisture. This makes the D500 suitable for outdoor photography and use in inclement weather conditions.

Despite the durable construction, the body remains relatively lightweight at around 1.7 pounds. The grip is deep and comfortable, allowing you to hold the camera securely. The body design also incorporates a rear LCD screen that can tilt for flexible viewing angles. Overall, the D500's body is ergonomic and provides a natural feel during handheld shooting.

The durable magnesium alloy build makes the D500 well-suited for active photography and fast-paced assignments. It can withstand bumps, knocks, and drops while out on location. The weather sealing also offers peace of mind when shooting outdoors in rough terrain and in wet conditions.

Another great option for photographers is the Nikon COOLPIX L28. This camera is designed for ease-of-use and affordability, making it perfect for beginners and casual shooters. It features a 20.1 MP CCD sensor and a 5x optical zoom lens, allowing you to capture high-quality images effortlessly. The COOLPIX L28 is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry on the go. Its user-friendly interface and various shooting modes help ensure that you get the best shot every time, whether you're photographing landscapes, portraits, or close-ups.

Image Sensor

The Nikon D500 features a 20.9MP DX-format CMOS sensor, which delivers sharp and detailed images with excellent dynamic range. The high megapixel count allows for large prints and heavy cropping flexibility.

The DX sensor size is ideal for sports, wildlife, and action photography, providing a 1.5x crop factor that extends the reach of telephoto lenses. This gives you more "zoom" than full-frame cameras.

Low light performance is also impressive thanks to a native ISO range of 100-51,200, which is expandable to 50-1,640,000. Images are clean with minimal noise even when shooting at high ISOs. The EXPEED 5 image processor contributes to the low noise by providing efficient image processing.

Overall, the D500's DX-format sensor strikes an optimal balance between resolution, low light performance, and extended reach for distant subjects. It's a superb imaging sensor for prosumer and professional needs.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the Nikon COOLPIX AW100 is a rugged and waterproof camera designed to withstand harsh environments. With a 16MP CMOS sensor, built-in GPS, and full HD video recording, it is perfect for capturing your adventures. Learn more about the Nikon COOLPIX AW100.

Autofocus System

The Nikon D500 features a sophisticated 153-point AF system with 99 cross-type sensors. This allows for incredibly fast and accurate autofocus performance, even in challenging lighting conditions.

The 153 AF points are densely packed to provide nearly full frame coverage. This gives you great compositional freedom and ensures focus can be achieved even on off-center subjects.

Having 99 cross-type sensors is a major advantage, as cross-type sensors are more accurate than standard vertical or horizontal AF points. The cross-type design allows the AF system to detect both vertical and horizontal edges for improved subject tracking and focusing.

Overall, the D500's AF system delivers blazing fast speed and tenacious tracking capabilities. It's perfect for sports, wildlife, and action photography where capturing fast-moving subjects is critical. The coverage, density, and cross-type sensors make this one of the most capable AF systems available in an APS-C DSLR.

Shooting Speed

The Nikon D500 offers incredible shooting speed and performance, making it ideal for sports, wildlife, and action photography. The D500 can shoot at up to 10 frames per second with full autofocus and autoexposure, even when shooting 14-bit lossless compressed RAW files.

This fast frame rate ensures you can reliably capture fast action sequences without missing critical moments. The large buffer allows up to 79 shots in 14-bit lossless compressed RAW during continuous shooting before slowing down. For JPEGs, the buffer is effectively unlimited. The fast shooting speed is maintained even when shooting silently in live view mode.

Complementing the fast burst shooting is a quick shutter release time lag of just 37 milliseconds. So when you press the shutter button, there is minimal delay before the photo is captured. This further enhances the D500's capabilities for freezing split-second moments.

Overall, the D500 sets a new benchmark for speed and performance at this price point. The fast 10fps continuous shooting and deep buffer make it easy to capture sequences of action and nail the perfect moment. This gives photographers a crucial edge when shooting fast-moving subjects.

Video Capabilities

The Nikon D500 is a very capable video camera, allowing users to capture high-quality 4K UHD video. One of the standout features is the ability to record 4K video at 30p, 25p, or 24p frame rates. With 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels), the video is incredibly sharp with a high level of detail. The footage looks stunning when viewed on 4K displays.

For slow motion, the D500 can also shoot Full HD 1080p video at up to 60p. This allows for smooth, detailed slow motion when footage is played back at lower frame rates. Slow motion can be very useful for sports, action sequences, and highlighting dramatic moments in videos.

The D500 uses the H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding codec to create highly compressed video files without sacrificing quality. This helps keep file sizes manageable. Maximum recording time for a single clip is 29 minutes and 59 seconds.

Overall, the video capabilities of the Nikon D500 make it a versatile camera for both still photos and video. The 4K UHD resolution provides incredible sharpness and detail. Paired with features like slow motion Full HD, the D500 is a great choice for multimedia content creators.

LCD Screen

The Nikon D500 has a 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen LCD, which provides excellent flexibility for composing shots from high and low angles. The high resolution 2,359k-dot screen displays vivid colors and fine details, making it easy to review images and assess critical focus.

The touchscreen functionality allows intuitive control over camera settings as well as touch focus and shutter release. You can easily navigate menus, change settings, swipe through images and pinch to zoom with familiar tap and swipe gestures. Overall, the D500's touchscreen LCD gives you excellent creative control when shooting stills or video.

Tilting the screen also helps when shooting overhead or down low. Whether you need to frame a shot above a crowd or capture a low vantage point perspective, the side-hinged vari-angle LCD provides great visibility. The screen can tilt out horizontally or flip up vertically for comfortable viewing from practically any position. This is a very handy feature for photographers who often find themselves contorting into awkward positions just to compose a shot.

ISO Performance

The Nikon D500 has excellent ISO performance, making it great for low-light shooting situations. It has a native ISO range of 100-51,200, which can be expanded to Hi-5 (ISO 1640000 equivalent).

At the lower ISO settings of 100-1600, images are crisp and clean with minimal noise. As you increase the ISO, noise starts becoming more apparent but is controlled very well by the sensor and image processor. Details and colors are retained remarkably well up through ISO 12,800 with some slight grain. At ISO 25,600 and 51,200, noise and loss of detail becomes more noticeable but images are still very usable for small prints or web use. The expanded Hi-5 ISO setting allows you to shoot in extremely low light but noise and reduced resolution are more substantial. However, having this available in a pinch can make a big difference in being able to get the shot.

Overall, the exceptional high ISO performance gives you a lot of flexibility when shooting in low light situations. You can confidently increase the ISO if needed to get the exposure you want, knowing that the D500 will retain good image quality with well-controlled noise up through the higher settings. This makes it a great choice for indoor events, night photography, or other challenging lighting where you need to keep the ISO high.

Connectivity

The Nikon D500 is well equipped when it comes to wireless connectivity features. It has built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth which allow for easy transfer of images and remote control capabilities.

With built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, you can quickly and easily connect the D500 to a compatible smart device using Nikon's SnapBridge app. This allows you to wirelessly browse photos on the camera, transfer images, and even remotely control and release the D500's shutter. Bluetooth also enables a constant low-power connection between the camera and phone for automatic image transfers. Overall, Nikon's wireless implementation is robust and intuitive.

The D500's wireless capabilities really enhance the workflow and connectivity. Whether you want to wirelessly transfer photos to your phone on the go or remotely trigger the camera, the D500 has you covered. The Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth connectivity make sharing images and controlling the camera quite seamless.

Conclusion

The Nikon D500 is an excellent camera for enthusiasts and professionals looking for a high-performance DX-format DSLR. It offers superb image quality, fast operation, and robust performance.

Some of the key pros of the D500 include:

• Excellent 20.9MP DX-format CMOS sensor that delivers stunning image quality with crisp details and vivid colors. Low light performance is also impressive.

• Sophisticated 153-point AF system with 99 cross-type sensors and dedicated AF processor. Provides fast and precise autofocus even in challenging light.

• Impressive continuous shooting speed of 10 fps with a deep buffer for extended bursts. Great for action photography.

• 4K UHD video recording, and additional features like power aperture control, zebra pattern and focus peaking for pro-level videography.

• Tilting 3.2" touchscreen LCD with 2.36 million dots provides a clear live view shooting mode and playback.

• Robust weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, designed for use in demanding environments.

• Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth allow easy wireless transfer of images and remote control capabilities.

Potential downsides to consider:

• No built-in flash. An external flash is required.

• Single SD card slot. Some pro cameras offer dual slots.

• Battery life could be better when shooting continuously. Carrying extra batteries is recommended.

• High price tag puts it beyond the reach of many hobbyists.

Overall, the Nikon D500 is an outstanding DX camera that excels for sports, wildlife, events and professional use. For those seeking pro-level performance in a lighter and more compact body, the D500 is easy to recommend.