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Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Nikon D800 front
Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800 Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Announced January 2016
  • Old Model is Nikon D300S
Nikon D800
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Announced June 2012
  • Previous Model is Nikon D700
  • New Model is Nikon D810
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Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Nikon D500 and Nikon D800, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both are designed by Nikon. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the D500 (21MP) and D800 (36MP) and the D500 (APS-C) and D800 (Full frame) provide different sensor measurements.

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The D500 was released 3 years after the D800 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the D500 matches up against the D800 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Nikon D800

 D500 D800 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016June 2012Newer by 44 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution2359k921kCrisper screen (+1438k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Nikon D500

 D800 D500 

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Nikon D800

 D500 D800 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen dimensions3.2"3.2"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D500 features outer dimensions of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") along with a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) and the Nikon D800 has dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") and a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D500 and Nikon D800 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the D500 and the D800.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D500 and D800 is 56 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions simply by checking specifications. The image here will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the D500 and D800.

To sum up, the two cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The D500 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Nikon D800 will give you greater detail as a result of its extra 15MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures more aggressively. The more recent D500 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800 sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D500
Portrait photography with Nikon D800
79
focusing manually
MP count decent (21MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
83
you can focus manually
megapixel count high (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Street photography camera
Nikon D800 as a Street photography camera
68
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
offers focus via touch
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
60
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D500 Sports photography info
Nikon D800 Sports photography info
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery pack (1,240 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count high (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D500 Travel photography highlights
Nikon D800 Travel photography highlights
68
better than average battery pack (1,240 shots)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
offers focus via touch
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
66
environment sealing
megapixel count high (36 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D500 Landscape photography factors
Nikon D800 Landscape photography factors
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proof
better than average battery pack (1,240 CIPA)
two card slots
no image stabilization
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
megapixel count high (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D500 Vlogging features
Nikon D800 Vlogging features
31
touchscreen functionality
comes with face detect focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
30
includes face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Nikon D800
 Nikon D500Nikon D800
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon D500 Nikon D800
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2016-01-05 2012-06-11
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 5 Expeed 3
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 36MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 51200 6400
Max enhanced ISO 1640000 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 153 51
Cross focus points 99 15
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Nikon F
Amount of lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2" 3.2"
Screen resolution 2,359 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 860 grams (1.90 lbs) 900 grams (1.98 lbs)
Physical dimensions 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 84 95
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 25.3
DXO Dynamic range score 14.0 14.4
DXO Low light score 1324 2853
Other
Battery life 1240 shots 900 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15 EN-EL15
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 to 20 sec, 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant
Storage slots 2 2
Pricing at release $1,497 $2,999