Nikon D500 : Tests and Reviews
Nikon D500 side by side comparisons
Nikon D500 versus predecessor
Nikon D500 versus Canon model
Nikon D500 versus Sony model
Nikon D500 versus Olympus model
Nikon D500 versus Panasonic model
Nikon D500 versus rival model with similar score
Try our side-by-side camera comparison tool
Further readings for the Nikon D500
To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.
 |
Renowned German lens manufacturer Carl Zeiss’s latest Milvus range of DSLR lenses for Canon and Nikon are marketed as offering high-quality optical performance in a similar price bracket to such high-resolution options as Sigma’s Art range or Canon’s L-series lenses. The manual-focus Milvus range offers an all-metal dust and splash proof construction, a large rubberized focus ring, smooth manual focus control, as well as engraved focus distance and depth of field scales. The Nikon version also offers a manual control aperture ring that can be switched to de-click mode for video work. |
 |
The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mk II is the company’s new flagship mirrorless model, sitting above the PENs and is the latest addition to the range. Featuring a newly developed 20.4-MP Live MOS sensor and an impressively powerful TruePic VIII processor, the new model is capable of burst rates of up to 60 fps with AF-S (using the optional electronic shutter mode), and up to 18 fps with AF-C. |
 |
Announced in February 2016, the $749 Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD (Tamron 85mm f/1.8) is a fast, short telephoto prime lens available in Canon, Nikon, and Sony lens mounts. This review considers the performance of the Nikon version. |
 |
If you’ve invested in Nikon’s D500 APS-C DSLR, you’re no doubt delighted with its excellent build, tilting touch-screen LCD, new joystick control, chunky ergonomic handgrip, and large viewfinder. It’s a high-performance APS-C option, too, that includes the 153-point improved tracking autofocus system and Expeed 5 processing engine from Nikon’s flagship D5, as well as 10fps burst shooting of up to 200 14-bit RAW files. |
 |
In part 2 of our “best lenses for the Nikon D500” review, we look at some of the highest-scoring DX-format zoom lenses. There are many more DX zoom lenses available for the D500 compared to primes. Zooms are a more popular lens choice for many APS-C shooters who are often looking for a more convenient and versatile multi-purpose lens. |
 |
With an all-new 20.9-Mpix APS-C CMOS sensor achieving a native ISO up to 51200, and capable of 10 fps in RAW with a 200-shot buffer, the D500 is the latest semipro-oriented crop camera model from Nikon. Read on to find out how well its sensor performs. |
 |
Nikon’s long-awaited upgrade to its venerable D300s DX-format DSLR has finally arrived in the shape of the new Nikon D500. Announced alongside the flagship FX-format D5, the new Nikon D500 shares much of its bigger sibling’s advanced technology, but in a smaller, rugged, weather-sealed shell. |
Comments
|
Added by Green Flash |
November 17 , 2016
The Best Lenses
Though this article is about Dx lenses, D-500 users are obviously seeking to maximize quality and performance. So users should not miss the fact that DXO has also tested many Fx lenses on the D-500, and that's where most of the gold is located. Examples, the Tokina 24-70 f 2.8 produces 15 pmp, as does the Sigma f2.8 50-150mm, both just under $1000. This compares to the best dx standard zooms at 13. And see some really stellar performers among the Fx primes: The Sigma Art 50mm f1.4 drops in at 19pmp and the Zeiss Sonar T 135 at 18. But performance does not necessarily carry over from full frame sensors. For example the high performing Tamron 24-70 on FX bodies, achieves disappointing 10 pmp on the D-500. But my overall point is D-500 users can achieve really excellent results by picking individual lenses carefully.
Reply |
|
|
Added by robbyg |
November 17 , 2016
Seriously Guys, a review without the Nikons Kit Lens!!
How the heck could Dxomark do a review of lenses for the D500 and leave out the lens that Nikon supplies with the Camera kit?
What happened to the DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR Lens ??? Crazy stuff since more D500 owners have that lens than any of the others. Reply |
|
|
Added by timj_uk |
November 16 , 2016
Lens selection
Very odd lens selection here as all of those lenses which are generally considered good in the Nikon DX range are absent. Surely the 17-55 2.8 should be looked at... the 12-24 F4 (as opposed to the horrid 10-24). Not very useful report IMHO.
Reply |
|
|
Added by GuyBooth |
November 16 , 2016
Where's the Nikon 16-80mm?
Deeply disappointed that you haven't included the Nikon 16-80mm lens in your review, yet you have included the older - and reportedly inferior - 16-85.
Will you please get up to date on current offerings? Reply |
|
|
Added by vid |
November 15 , 2016
Where is the kit lens on your list?
It is nice to have these lens recommendations for the D500. But something IMPORTANT is MISSING: Where is the "new" Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR that is quite often sold as a kit lens together with the D500? Your preview of this lens dates back to summer 2015. Since then I have been waiting for your review.
You must have had the lens in your hands, as digitalkamera.de did a lens review using some of your testing in July this year. How come you have still not published a review AND included the result in the lens recommendations of the D500 (and D7200 / D7100 for that matter)? Reply |
|
|
Added by atefoto |
June 29 , 2016
What?
shomiyato; For some unknown reasons its impossible for me to reply to you, sorry for new seperate comment.
Thats true but this review or comparison doesn't show why D500 was beaten by those other old cameras. "It's unrealistic for a camera's performance to continue to rise model after model." I find this too general to "solve" my question. I simply don't trust in assumptions, I want real proof. I've never said this is iPhone or not.. I shoot both Canon FF and Nikon FF but I have problems seeing how the amazing D500 sensor lose to those old cameras in terms of speed, quality etc.. There is no proof supporting their "claim" other than megapixels maybe. I want to see the test, or proofs if you like. What LAB tests? I see no LAB-tests on this site. Yes, you can see the list where it SCORES LOWER compared to other cameras, but this is only a claim before its actually prooved. I want to know how DxO test this, how their charts looks like, etc. Until then I will not trust the site. Please show them, either I'm blind or the proofs is unavailable. Cheers Reply |
|
|
Added by PeteShifter |
June 22 , 2016
Nikon D500 ranking
Compared to D7100, D500 performs as follows:
colors: -1% dynamic: +2% ISO: +5% They score the same 83 points The D7100 ranks #35 and D500 #36. Aren't the colors a bit overweighted in the final mark? Reply |
|
|
Added by Mrstudz |
June 21 , 2016
Awesome review thank you
So nice to finally see an honest review of this camera, unlike Dpreview.com. This review reflects what I found in my own testing, d7200 has slightly better IQ, especially once you down sample to 20.9.
As such I returned my D500 here are the main reasons : - no flash - incompatible with some 3rd party lenses and all 3rd party batteries - much lower battery life - ate one of my expensive lexar cards, this seems to be a common problem, nikon says they will replace but still.. - no af assist lamp, my d70 has better af in darker situations - touch screen doesn't work in menus - buttons only light up on one side - extremely slow Bluetooth transfer speed to phone, d7200 is literally 2-3 sec for full resolution pic d500 is 30-60 seconds - twice the cost, lower iq - can run d7200 in 12 bit raw at 7fps for 30 shots, covering the rare occasion i actually need high fps Overall the d500 feels half baked, buggy and over hyped by fanboys and viral marketing. I think the D510/500s will be the real winner. I think the best purchase you can make today is the d7200 + 200-500mm VR + 1.4 TC combo. Reply |
|
|
Added by ahsanford |
June 21 , 2016
D500 Review
Respectfully disagree with some posts on this.
DXO is an IQ site that considers lenses and sensors. They don't review cameras. Using their own metrics, they rated the D500 *sensor* as being sub-par compared to prior Nikon models. The data's pretty clear on this. Saying that the *sensor* performance is "Performance redefined" implies it was better than other crop sensors. It clearly is not. The fact that a *sensor* review chooses to bring up 'but it also has a high frame rate and huge buffer' in an attempt to somewhat spackle over the sensor evaluation should raise some real questions. DXO would do well to limit their commentary to that which they test. I have no doubt the D500 is a fine rig, but in this one instance, DXO seems to be giving the D500 a very positive spin in light of a not-so-stellar sensor review. Reply |
|
|
Added by Fredbare |
June 19 , 2016
Thanks for the review.
The D500 seems to have a sensor well suited for both fast burst rates whilst still performing well in the realms of DR.
It's obvious that compromises have had to be made to reach the goals set by the marketing department - which has been admirably accomplished. It's also clearly obvious that some who have posted here don't understand the difference between a sensor test and a camera test. It's also obvious that those who partake in hallucinatory drugs believe others do too ;-) Reply |