Photography Life

PL provides various digital photography news, reviews, articles, tips, tutorials and guides to photographers of all levels

  • Lens Reviews
  • Camera Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • Compare Cameras
  • Forum
    • Sign Up
    • Login
  • About
  • Search
Home → Reviews → Cameras and Lenses → Nikon D500 Review

Nikon D500 Review

By Spencer Cox 164 Comments
Last Updated On January 28, 2024

«»

Table of Contents

  • Overview and Specifications
  • Ergonomics and AF Performance
  • Sensor Performance
  • Camera Comparisons
  • Nikon D500 for Wildlife Photography
  • Nikon D500 for Landscape Photography
  • Nikon D500 for Videography
  • Secrets of the Nikon D500
  • Summary
  • More Image Samples
  • Reader Comments
Looking for even more exclusive content?

On Photography Life, you already get world-class articles with no advertising every day for free. As a Member, you'll get even more:

Silver ($5/mo)
  • Exclusive articles
  • Monthly Q&A chat
  • Early lens test results
  • "Creative Landscape Photography" eBook
Gold ($12/mo)
  • All that, PLUS:
  • Online workshops
  • Monthly photo critiques
  • Vote on our next lens reviews
 
Click Here to Join Today
 
Disclosures, Terms and Conditions and Support Options
guest

guest

164 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Robert John
Robert John
August 13, 2024 9:12 am

Just bought one of these. First impression is that it soaks up battery – even when switched off. From fully charged, switched off for 2 months while I was ill, it lasted for about 50 frames. Dire.

I bought it used. Perhaps that was why it was sold.

Still – I didn’t sell my D7500.

2
Reply
Robert John
Robert John
Reply to  Robert John
August 13, 2024 10:13 am

I should add that I have a Z5 and D7500 and have interchanged the batteries and chargers. The result is the same. I don’t use any wi-if functions or video. I use it just like my previous D50, D90, D7100 and D610. They were all good on battery life.

1
Reply
Will
Will
Reply to  Robert John
October 11, 2024 9:16 am

Try turning on ‘Airplane Mode’.

2
Reply
ghjm
ghjm
June 8, 2024 12:29 am

@Spencer,

top article on a forever young machine.
as you describe it throughout your writing, the D500 has more virtues than just an infinite buffer and 10 i/s.
it’s the best viewfinder you’ll ever find on any DX-size body and features the most efficient AF system of the DSLR era. should you fail to capture sharp images with the D500, question your technique… and please RTFM !

in section 2, sub-section Autofocus Performance, there is an obsolete “D500 tips” link.
currently value is
nps.nikonimaging.com/techn…d500_tips/
to be replaced with
nps.nikonimaging.com/techn…d500_tips/

@all readers,

in addition to photographylife.com reviews and tutorials, take the time to visit NPS technical info pages at
nps.nikonimaging.com/technical_info/
whatever your needs are, you’ll find guidance from professionals, and tips from experts.
much faster to read than TFM :)
enjoy

0
Reply
Robert John
Robert John
May 18, 2024 9:26 am

Just ordered a used D500 (10k shutter count).
I’m afraid that I couldn’t bring myself to take the advice and add a 70-200/f2.8 to my 500/f5.6 PF. I already have a 70-200/f4 but, despite it being a fine lens, it has little second hand value. So I decided to keep that and to upgrade my 300/f4D to the 300/f4E PF. Together the two f4 lenses only cost and weigh as much as the 70-200/f2.8E. I do lose f2.8, but I always enjoyed my D7100 and 7500 with the f4D and don’t want to lose prime lens IQ at 450mm (efl) and 630mm with a 1.4 TC. It’s very useful for captive birds.
Just need now to wait for the Z6iii and I’ll upgrade my Z5 to a used Z6 or Z6ii.
Looking forward to using the D500 with these lenses. No other foreseeable upgrades.

0
Reply
Dr FPD Cotterill
Dr FPD Cotterill
December 14, 2020 8:16 am

I’ve re-read this long after getting a D500 (late 2016!). Today I was rechecking some specs and it’s interesting to read i retrospect with all the hullabaloo about Mirrorless etc…

I’m very glad the author of this review rapped Nikon hard where they fully deserve hammering on their arrogance. This is the infuriating handicapping of the Custom options (eg the emasculated Fn2). They persist in handicapping the Z6 and Z7 models (ie no AFMode+AFOn options) yet all number of exposure settings are possible. The pricey D780 is equally handicapped and does not recognize the Lens-Fn buttons (eg on 70-200 f2.8E, 500 PF). Too bad if one seeks to make use of the excellent lowlight performance of the sensors in a D780 or Z6. Even the Fn2 button on the new D6 suffers crippled options? The owner of these Enthusiast / Pro cameras should be able to make their own choices… as Sony allows.

Nikon will sell more cameras (Zeds included) if they prune the traditional arrogance and maximize the Custom options. This should enable one to change settings as easily as possible with the shooting ie Right hand.

Nikon have snookered themselves good and proper. At a minimu the Custom options of a camera for shooting acton (including wildlife) should match the D500 / D850 at a minimum. Note these are still missing Recall Shooting Functions option? Also as in the D6, besides expanding Recall Shooting Functions; there is now option to switch AF modes can now be scrolled pressing Red Record button ie with right hand only – Well done Nikon, now roll it outwards :-)

So buy Used and ignore the new cameras…. a Used D500 is easy to find at < £1000 with warranty; any number of near mint D850's are going for ⁓£1800-2000. A new D850 + MBD18 grip kit is well under £2400. A D5 in decent condition? a bargain arguably at ⁓£2900-3000 :-)

Anyone invested widely for wildlife photography is best advised to buy reputable Used with 6 months warranty or the new options. Boycott these emasculated cameras – perhaps this might wake up Nikon to reality Well, it better get real soon – its shrinking market will very soon consist of 90% "hobbyists and Pros".

3
Reply
Gary Barton
Gary Barton
Reply to  Dr FPD Cotterill
February 20, 2021 1:57 pm

I agree. I couldn’t believe it when I also found out that the Z6ii / Z7ii don’t have the option of AF ON + AF Area modes being assigned to buttons like the D5, D500 & D850 which is why I will be keeping my D500. For the type of photography that I do and the way I customise my D500, buying a Z6ii would be a downgrade for me. Nikon does seem to shoot themselves in the foot sometimes by releasing a great camera which but has an achilleas heel. The D7100 is a prime example – a great camera (which I own as well as my D500), was boasted as being great for wildlife, yet the buffer was terrible – it was full after one second.

2
Reply
Arun
Arun
October 27, 2020 5:13 am

Dear Nasim,
Your camera comparison articles are a great source of knowledge and a very useful tool towards decision making.
I was wondering, if you could add D500 vs D780 comparison too, I am aware that they are in totally different leagues but still it would be of great help. Thanks.

1
Reply
Wenhan Xue
Wenhan Xue
June 3, 2020 1:40 pm

Really nice and informative review. Thumbs up.

I used to be a Nikon shooter with F100, F6, D2Hs and D3. Gradually I moved myself as rangefinder photographer with Leica M6, M9 and M240 for street, architecture and landscape photography.

To expand my interesting field, I come back to Nikon by just purchasing a D500 for wildlife photography. I also put an order of Nikon 500mm f/5.6E PF lens. For now, I will park my old AF-D prime lenses on D500 for the trek. Your review convinced me that I made a right choice. Thanks.

2
Reply
Gary Barton
Gary Barton
Reply to  Wenhan Xue
February 20, 2021 2:00 pm

Great choice of lens. In fact my 500mm PF arrived the day before you posted your review – I’m over the moon with it on my D500.

1
Reply
Guy Dagar
Guy Dagar
April 17, 2020 8:24 am

Thanks! Great review and I have a D500 coming. My only light criticism of this review (and some others) is, you often feature photos taken with lenses like the Nikon 600mm f/4, a lens that costs $12K if I’m not mistaken. It gives those of us who can’t afford 5-digit lenses a false expectation. I shoot with the most expensive long lens I can afford, the Sigma Sports 60-600mm and I’m sure it doesn’t compare with the Nikon 600mm. Shoot the Nikon 600mm for reviews of that lens, but stick to something the rest of us can afford when reviewing cameras.

16
Reply
Piecatphoto
Piecatphoto
Reply to  Guy Dagar
December 2, 2020 7:58 am

You read my mind, the costs have kept me with Canon. Wondering if the D500 is better than the 7D mark II.
My lenses are old but L glass. I’d have to sell everything to change over.

1
Reply
Bjarne Gul Christensen
Bjarne Gul Christensen
Reply to  Guy Dagar
May 1, 2022 11:12 pm

I know what you mean – but then again – it shows what the camera can do, given the best glass. It shows me that it will utilize cheaper glass to its full extend. I have the Tamron 150-600mm G2 and know it will never give these results – but this is nowhere the camera’s fault. So I apreciate the showoff with good glass, but it would be great if some examples are presented with cheaper glass for comparison, but that will also require quite some aditional work. I am actually more puzzeled that no images of landscape/portraits or in that area. Lot of people will use this as the one and only camera, so would be nice to see diversity here. I use mine for all types of photography.

0
Reply
Tom Kielick
Tom Kielick
December 2, 2019 10:24 am

This is a great review. I finally bought my own D500 and am thrilled with not only the performance specs but also the way it feels and handles in my hands. I have two D300s bodies and this is a very capable successor to them. I was very happy with my D300s cameras but wanted the higher ISO/low light capabilities a more modern sensor would give me, especially for low light sports like indoor volleyball.

Now I am wondering what I should do with my D300s bodies and even more importantly the CF cards and pro version EN-EL4 batteries I upgraded to. I’m thinking that instead of buying a 2nd D500 body I should buy a used D3s model instead and reuse all those pricey accessories. I can get both cameras used for about the same price.

Can anyone tell me how the D500 compares against the D3s when it comes to high ISO image quality and low light sports action? Specifically I am looking to compare results in the ISO 3200-6400 range.

0
Reply
Burghclerebilly
Burghclerebilly
February 27, 2019 5:31 am

It’s early 2019 and it is possible that Nikon will introduce an update to the D500 soon since it is now three years old. A D500S would be my request, that is to say, an update using the identical body and just a few minor improvements like 1080p 120fps, 11fps, better SnapBridge, better highlight retention. However, since the D500 still blows away every other sports & wildlife camera apart from the D5, and has probably the best balance of all functions available (love the way VR stays on in video mode even when nothing is touched), I can imagine Nikon will unfortunately wait another year or so for a refresh.

5
Reply
Ernesto Robina
Ernesto Robina
June 12, 2018 7:11 am

At this point in time, I’m interested to know how this amazing DX flagship would fare against Fujifilm X-H1 in terms of image quality and value. I’m really torn :( I shoot events, street and portraits.

0
Reply
Luc Poirier
Luc Poirier
Reply to  Ernesto Robina
August 28, 2018 9:07 am

No need for a D500 if you are not doing wildlife or fast moving objects . In such cases a D7200 at half the price will give you amazing images. Note that there is a Nikon alternative to the D500, its the cheaper D7500, pratically the same camera without the better focus system of the D500.
Luc
owner of a D500 & D750

3
Reply

Learn

  • Beginner Photography
  • Landscape Photography
  • Wildlife Photography
  • Portraiture
  • Post-Processing
  • Advanced Tutorials
Photography Life on Patreon

Reviews

  • Camera Reviews
  • Lens Reviews
  • Other Gear Reviews
  • Best Cameras and Lenses

Photography Tutorials

Photography Basics
Landscape Photography
Wildlife Photography
Macro Photography
Composition & Creativity
Black & White Photography
Night Sky Photography
Portrait Photography
Street Photography
Photography Videos

Unique Gift Ideas

Best Gifts for Photographers

Subscribe via Email

If you like our content, you can subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly email updates using the link below:

Subscribe to our newsletter

Site Menu

  • About Us
  • Beginner Photography
  • Lens Database
  • Lens Index
  • Photo Spots
  • Search
  • Forum

Reviews

  • Reviews Archive
  • Camera Reviews
  • Lens Reviews
  • Other Gear Reviews

More

  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Workshops
  • Support Us
  • Submit Content

Copyright © 2025 · Photography Life

You are going to send email to

Move Comment