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Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800E

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Nikon D800E front
Portability
54
Imaging
72
Features
80
Overall
75

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800E Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • 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
  • Released January 2016
  • Superseded the Nikon D300S
Nikon D800E
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Announced June 2012
  • Succeeded the Nikon D700
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Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800E Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Nikon D500 and Nikon D800E, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and they are both built by Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the D500 (21MP) and D800E (36MP) and the D500 (APS-C) and D800E (Full frame) offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The D500 was revealed 3 years later than the D800E and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the D500 scores versus the D800E with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Nikon D800E

 D500 D800E 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016June 2012Fresher by 44 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution2359k921kClearer screen (+1438k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon D800E over the Nikon D500

 D800E D500 

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Nikon D800E

 D500 D800E 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen size3.2"3.2"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800E Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D500 features external 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) while the Nikon D800E has dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") along with a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs).

Check the Nikon D500 and Nikon D800E in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the D500 against the D800E.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800E size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D500 and D800E is 56 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800E top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800E Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizing only by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D500 and D800E.

Clearly, the 2 cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The D500 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Nikon D800E will give greater detail because of its extra 15 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more modern D500 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800E sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800E Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800E Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D500 Portrait photography highlights
Nikon D800E Portrait photography highlights
79
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
83
focusing manually
MP count amazing (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D500 Street photography info
Nikon D800E Street photography info
68
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
provides touch focus
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
59
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D500 Sports photography info
Nikon D800E Sports photography info
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery (1,240 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
73
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
MP count amazing (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D500 Travel photography factors
Nikon D800E Travel photography factors
68
great battery (1,240 shots)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
provides touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
66
environment sealing
MP count amazing (36 megapixels)
built-in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D500 Landscape photography advice
Nikon D800E Landscape photography advice
77
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proof
great battery (1,240 CIPA)
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
79
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
MP count amazing (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D500 Vlogging details
Nikon D800E Vlogging details
31
touchscreen capability
includes face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
30
supports face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
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Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800E Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Nikon D800E
 Nikon D500Nikon D800E
General Information
Make Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon D500 Nikon D800E
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2016-01-05 2012-06-11
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 21 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 5:4 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5568 x 3712 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 51200 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 1640000 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 153 51
Cross focus points 99 15
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Nikon F
Total lenses 309 309
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 2,359 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 pounds) 900 grams (1.98 pounds)
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 96
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 25.6
DXO Dynamic range score 14.0 14.3
DXO Low light score 1324 2979
Other
Battery life 1240 photographs 900 photographs
Type of battery 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 Two Two
Retail price $1,497 $2,389