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Nikon D500 vs Nikon D780

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Nikon D780 front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
89
Overall
81

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D780 Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Released January 2016
  • Superseded the Nikon D300S
Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Announced January 2020
  • Older Model is Nikon D750
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Nikon D500 vs Nikon D780 Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Nikon D500 versus Nikon D780, both Advanced DSLR cameras and they are both offered by Nikon. The image resolution of the D500 (21MP) and the D780 (25MP) is relatively close but the D500 (APS-C) and D780 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor measurements.

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The D500 was launched 5 years before the D780 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the D500 matches up versus the D780 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Nikon D780

 D500 D780 

Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Nikon D500

 D780 D500 
AnnouncedJanuary 2020January 2016Fresher by 48 months

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Nikon D780

 D500 D780 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution2359k2359kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D780 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera, you should factor its weight and size. The Nikon D500 has outer measurements of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) and the Nikon D780 has specifications of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D500 versus Nikon D780 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the D500 against the D780.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D780 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the D500 and D780 is 56 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D780 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D780 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to picture the difference in sensor sizing only by researching a spec sheet. The visual underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D500 and D780.

As you can see, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The D500 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Nikon D780 will result in more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The older D500 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D780 sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D780 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D780 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D500 Portrait photography details
Nikon D780 Portrait photography details
79
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
86
has manual focus
megapixel count amazing (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D500
Street photography with Nikon D780
68
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch focus
environment proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
71
screen tilts up and down
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
has touch to focus
environment proof
great ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D500 Sports photography features
Nikon D780 Sports photography features
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
decent megapixels (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery (1,240 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
82
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
megapixel count amazing (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
great battery life (2,260 shots)
has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D500 Travel photography advice
Nikon D780 Travel photography advice
68
better than average battery (1,240 per charge)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch focus
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
71
great battery life (2,260 per charge)
environment proof
has bluetooth
has touch to focus
megapixel count amazing (25 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D500 Landscape photography info
Nikon D780 Landscape photography info
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
decent megapixels (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery (1,240 per charge)
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
81
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
megapixel count amazing (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
great battery life (2,260 CIPA)
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D780 as a Vlogging camera
31
touchscreen capability
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes mic socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
32
touch screen
provides face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external microphone support
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D780 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Nikon D780
 Nikon D500Nikon D780
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D500 Nikon D780
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2016-01-05 2020-01-07
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 5 Expeed 6
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 6048 x 4024
Max native ISO 51200 51200
Max enhanced ISO 1640000 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 153 51
Cross type focus points 99 15
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Nikon F
Number of lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3.2 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 2,359 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 900 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) Yes
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 860g (1.90 lbs) 840g (1.85 lbs)
Dimensions 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") 144 x 116 x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 84 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1324 not tested
Other
Battery life 1240 pictures 2260 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15 EN-EL15b
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots Two Two
Retail cost $1,497 $2,297