Nikon D500

The D500 is Nikon’s flagship DX-sensor DSLR and long-overdue update to the D300s. Key features include:

• 20.9MP DX crop-frame sensor

• Normal ISO range of 100-151,200, expandable to 50-1,640,000

• Improved autofocus and tracking focus

• 4K video capture

At Last An Update. A lot has changed since the D300s rolled out in 2009. Some of the D500’s notable improvements over its predecessor are a new 20.9MP DX sensor with higher sensitivity, an all-new autofocus system, 10 fps continuous shooting, and 4K video recording.

Flagship-Caliber Image Quality. The all-new 20.9MP DX crop-frame sensor is paired with an EXPEED 5 processor to give you a native ISO range of 100-51,200. For the adventurous, it’s expandable to 50-1,640,000—perfect for night-time backstreet motorcycle races!

Fast Autofocus/Frame Rate. The advantage to being released alongside the is the shared technology, and the D500 struck gold here. You’re getting the same Multi-CAM 20K AF system that offers 153 phase-detection AF points with 99 cross-type sensors. Where the AF points only cover the central portion of the frame of the D5, the smaller DX sensor in the D500 means nearly edge-to-edge coverage. Nikon’s stellar tracking focus system promises even better continuous focus performance. Pair that with the 10 fps continuous frame rate and a 200-frame RAW buffer limit, and you’d have to work hard to not get your shot.

4K Video. The D500 features in-camera 4K UHD recording at 24/25/30p (with a 1.5x crop from APS-C), Full HD up to 1080/60p, and uncompressed output to an external recorder via HDMI mini input. Stereo audio can be captured in-camera or externally via 1/8-inch mic input, while a separate 1/8-inch headphone input and 20-step manual adjustment enable precision audio monitoring. Still no focus peaking or zebra warnings, so we recommend using an external electronic viewfinder/video monitor with those features. Please note that the D500 uses a 1.5x crop when shooting 4K, bringing the total crop factor to 2.25x relative to a full-frame sensor

Professional Build. The magnesium-alloy body features elaborate weather-sealing, multiple customizable buttons, bright 1x optical pentaprism with 100% viewfinder coverage, and a EN-EL15 battery life rated at 1240 shots per charge. Notably new to the D500 is a large, tilting touch-sensitive 3.2-inch rear LCD with familiar smartphone-like navigation and instant focus point selection, and SnapBridge wireless connectivity to smart device.

Dual SD/XQD Slots. The D500 offers both SDHC/XC (with UHS-II support) and XQD memory card recording. SD cards are far more common and offer fast read/write times, but the addition of the XQD option allows for far superior speed capability and reliability.

Wireless Flash Capability. The D500 offers support for the wireless control, but it requires the use of the . This enables the camera and flash to wirelessly control up to 6 groups of flashes from up to 98 feet away, free from line-of-sight restrictions.