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Nikon D500 Review

Tobias Gelston

D500 - The briefest review!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnZ3OeIoVLAAs I often like to do I will give you the summary of my review up front. This is now the king of APS-C cameras. There is NOTHING better- but does that mean it is the best camera for you?  Let’s discuss what I love and what I less than love about the D500.  But before we do let's mention the previous champ of APS-C - the Canon 7D Mark II. The 7DM2 was the king in this class and I loved the AF peroformance and ergonmics but even when it was released I was frustrated with lack of articulating touchscreen and wifi, I feel like Nikon looked at what was missing there and said here you go - oh and we have stuck an excellent sensor in there with files that while not noise free are certainly clean enough to deliver to clients at 12,800The D500 Offers

  • No AA filter for noticeable sharper images vs Canon 7D Mark II
  • 10 FPS
  • The BEST AF system of any APS-C camera to date
    • FAST
    • Aaccuratelyy tracks moving subjects (in low light on the dance floor IT WORKS)
    • Excellent AF customization options
    • AF Point Coverage across the frame.   
    • The little thumb joystick for moving the AF point is perfectly placed
  • 4K UHD Video Recording at 30 fps
  • Rugged articulating touchscreen
  • Wifi with smart bluetooth NFC system that once set up automatically transfers the images

In the hand this is the nicest feeling Nikon camera I have ever held.  Typically I have found the grips to be a little too narrow on Nikon cameras and with the D500 they have rounded that out nicely.  And typical of most Nikon prosumers the physical control buttons are excellent with little need to spend time in the menu - which is good because although the camera has a touchscreen you can only use it to select focus in live view and navigate playback, it does not work for menu navigation.  If you consider that a downside the only other downside I can come up with is the focus in video -Nikon still does not off dual pixel AF system like canon so we very much have that womp womp effect while it searches for focus (demonstrated in the video above)  - if you don’t need autofocus while filming you can ignore this issue.  Overall the 4K video quality is VERY good. Now lots of people made a big deal about the 2x crop factor when shooting 4k  Just go buy a slightly wider lens and you will be fine. I think many people watching this video and reading this post will be trying to figure out if they should go with the Nikon D7200, The D500 or a full frame camera like the Nikon D750.    That full frame sensor on the D750 is still going to give you slightly better results in low light, The D7200s strength is saving you $1,000 and still providing an excellent all around camera capable of shooting sports and wildlife as well as being slightly more travel friendly.  As much as I love the D500 it is more camera than most of us need and you could put that $1000 toward a nice lens or TWO that will do more for your photography than buying the more expensive body UNLESS you Really that AF system for FAST subjects - FAST action sports, birds in flight or maybe you do want to record in 4K video too.  Benefit of the D7200 vs the D500/D750

  • Smaller and Lighter - almost 1/2 lb lighter than the D500.
  • Cheaper - Buy the Nikon D7200 from B&H Photo (Body only $1046)
  • Vs the D750 you only need DX lenses which are cheaper and lighter too.

Benefits of the D750 vs the D500/D7200

  • Full frame sensor better in low light - 24MP full frame vs 20MP crop in D500 and 24MP crop in D7200
  • Lighter than the D500
  • Offers articulating screen vs the Nikon D7200
  • That full frame look (do you hate me for saying this? )
  • The best value Full Frame camera on the market (regardless of manufacturer) Buy from B&H Photo (Body only $1996.95)

Benefits of the D500 vs the D750/D7200

  • The BEST AF speed, coverage and accuracy
  • 10 FPS vs 6ish in the D750/D7200
  • No AA filter for increased detail.
  • Rugged Articulating touchscreen
  • Pro body form and function with manual control for just about everything
  • Wifi with Snapbridge for easy auto transfer of your photos
  • Vs the D750 you only need DX lenses which are cheaper and lighter too and you have additional "reach" because of the crop factor.
  • Buy the Nikon D500 from B&H Photo (body only $1996.95)

For me - If you are a general photographer including travel get the D7200.  If you want better quality in low light get the D750 and if you are photographing action, FAST action the D500 makes the most sense.  Or if you want 4K video with Nikon.I want to know which of the three you would pick and why? And what feature of the D500 is your favorite. Leave a comment below. I will be collecting the best to share in a future video.  Support our work - Buy the Nikon D500: http://bhpho.to/1Ujv6vwBuy the Nikon D7200: http://bhpho.to/1r5CS4qBuy the Nikon D750: http://bhpho.to/24mGXyh