Clicky

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D850

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Nikon D850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
78
Features
87
Overall
81

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D850 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 Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Revealed January 2016
  • Replaced the Nikon D300S
Nikon D850
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Increase to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1015g - 146 x 124 x 79mm
  • Announced August 2017
  • Earlier Model is Nikon D810
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D850 Overview

Below is a in depth comparison of the Nikon D500 versus Nikon D850, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both of them are created by Nikon. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the D500 (21MP) and D850 (46MP) and the D500 (APS-C) and D850 (Full frame) use totally different sensor sizing.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The D500 was released 19 months earlier than the D850 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the D500 scores against the D850 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Nikon D850

 D500 D850 

Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Nikon D500

 D850 D500 
AnnouncedAugust 2017January 2016More recent by 19 months

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Nikon D850

 D500 D850 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimension3.2"3.2"Identical screen measurement
Screen resolution2359k2359kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D850 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon D500 has outer dimensions 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 D850 has measurements of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") and a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D500 versus Nikon D850 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the D500 compared to the D850.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D850 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D500 and D850 is 56 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D850 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D850 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to see the difference in sensor measurements merely by looking through specs. The graphic here will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D500 and D850.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The D500 featuring a smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF harder and the Nikon D850 will provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 25 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The older D500 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D850 sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D850 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D500 Portrait photography info
Nikon D850 Portrait photography info
79
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
86
has manual focus
megapixel count great (46 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Street Comparison

Nikon D500 Street photography factors
Nikon D850 Street photography factors
68
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
offers touch focus
environment proof
good ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
66
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
offers touch to focus
weather sealing
great ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (1,015g)
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D500
Sports photography with Nikon D850
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery power (1,240 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
megapixel count great (46MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
good battery life (1,840 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Travel Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D850 as a Travel photography camera
68
better than average battery power (1,240 CIPA)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
offers touch focus
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
65
good battery life (1,840 CIPA)
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
offers touch to focus
megapixel count great (46 megapixels)
more heavy than competitors in class (1,015g)
does not offer selfie friendly display
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D500 Landscape photography advice
Nikon D850 Landscape photography advice
77
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
better than average battery power (1,240 per charge)
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
82
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
megapixel count great (46MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
good battery life (1,840 shots)
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D500 Vlogging details
Nikon D850 Vlogging details
31
touchscreen enabled
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone jack
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
30
touchscreen functionality
features face detect autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone support
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (1,015 grams)
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Nikon D850
 Nikon D500Nikon D850
General Information
Company Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D500 Nikon D850
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2016-01-05 2017-08-24
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 5 Expeed 5
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 46 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5568 x 3712 8256 x 5504
Maximum native ISO 51200 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 1640000 102400
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO 50 32
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 153 153
Cross type focus points 99 99
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Nikon F
Total lenses 309 309
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3.2" 3.2"
Resolution of display 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 0.75x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
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 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 860 grams (1.90 lb) 1015 grams (2.24 lb)
Dimensions 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 84 100
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 26.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 14.8
DXO Low light rating 1324 2660
Other
Battery life 1240 images 1840 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15 EN-EL15a
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD
Card slots 2 2
Price at release $1,497 $2,997