Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II
56 Imaging
65 Features
90 Overall
75
![Nikon D500 front Nikon D500 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Nikon-D500.jpg)
![Nikon Z6 Mark II front Nikon Z6 Mark II front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Nikon-Z6-Mark-II/Nikon-Z6-II-front.jpg)
61 Imaging
76 Features
89 Overall
81
Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 21MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise 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
- Old Model is Nikon D300S
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Nikon Z Mount
- 705g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
- Launched October 2020
- Earlier Model is Nikon Z6
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II Overview
Below is a complete assessment of the Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Pro Mirrorless and both of them are built by Nikon. The resolution of the D500 (21MP) and the Z6 II (25MP) is fairly close but the D500 (APS-C) and Z6 II (Full frame) boast different sensor size.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
The D500 was released 5 years earlier than the Z6 II and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Nikon D500 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Nikon Z6 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving into a full comparison, here is a simple summation of how the D500 matches up versus the Z6 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D500 and Nikon Z6 Mark II. The complete galleries are available at Nikon D500 Gallery and Nikon Z6 II Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Nikon Z6 II
D500 | Z6 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 2359k | ![]() | 2100k | Crisper display (+259k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon Z6 II over the Nikon D500
Z6 II | D500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | October 2020 | ![]() | January 2016 | More recent by 58 months |
Common features in the Nikon D500 and Nikon Z6 II
D500 | Z6 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting display |
Display dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3.2" | Equal display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II Physical Comparison
When you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon D500 offers outside dimensions of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") having a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) and the Nikon Z6 II has sizing of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 705 grams (1.55 lbs).
Contrast the Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the D500 and the Z6 II.
![Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II size comparison Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D500-vs-Nikon-Z6-Mark-II-size-comparison.jpg)
Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the D500 and Z6 II is 56 and 61 respectively.
![Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II top view buttons comparison Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D500-vs-Nikon-Z6-Mark-II-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II Sensor Comparison
Generally, it's tough to visualize the gap in sensor measurements simply by researching specifications. The visual below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the D500 and Z6 II.
Plainly, both cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The D500 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Nikon Z6 II will result in greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics more aggressively. The older D500 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.
![Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II sensor size comparison Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Nikon-D500-vs-Nikon-Z6-Mark-II-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II Screen and ViewFinder
![Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D500-vs-Nikon-Z6-Mark-II-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z6 II Specifications
Nikon D500 | Nikon Z6 Mark II | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Nikon |
Model | Nikon D500 | Nikon Z6 Mark II |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Pro Mirrorless |
Released | 2016-01-05 | 2020-10-14 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | 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 area | 369.0mm² | 858.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 21MP | 25MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 5568 x 3712 | 6048 x 4024 |
Max native ISO | 51200 | 51200 |
Max boosted ISO | 1640000 | 204800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Minimum boosted ISO | 50 | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 153 | 273 |
Cross focus points | 99 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Nikon F | Nikon Z |
Number of lenses | 309 | 15 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3.2" | 3.2" |
Display resolution | 2,359k dot | 2,100k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 3,690k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.66x | 0.8x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0 frames per second | 14.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/250s | 1/200s |
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 / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 56 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 56 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
Max video resolution | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | Yes |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 860 gr (1.90 pounds) | 705 gr (1.55 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") | 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 84 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 24.1 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 14.0 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 1324 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 1240 images | 410 images |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL15 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) | CFexpress Type B / XQD |
Storage slots | Two | Two |
Retail price | $1,497 | $1,997 |