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Nikon D500 vs Sony A99 II

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Nikon D500 vs Sony A99 II Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • 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
  • Revealed January 2016
  • Succeeded the Nikon D300S
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Released September 2016
  • Replaced the Sony A99
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Nikon D500 vs Sony A99 II Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Nikon D500 versus Sony A99 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the sensor resolutions of the D500 (21MP) and A99 II (42MP) and the D500 (APS-C) and A99 II (Full frame) possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The D500 was released 8 months earlier than the A99 II which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the D500 matches up versus the A99 II in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Sony A99 II

 D500 A99 II 
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2359k1229kClearer screen (+1130k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Nikon D500

 A99 II D500 
ReleasedSeptember 2016January 2016Fresher by 8 months
Screen typeFully articulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Sony A99 II

 D500 A99 II 
Focus manually Very exact focusing

Nikon D500 vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon D500 has got external measurements of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") having a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) while the Sony A99 II has sizing of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") and a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D500 versus Sony A99 II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the D500 against the A99 II.

Nikon D500 vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D500 and A99 II is 56 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizing only by going through specs. The graphic underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the D500 and A99 II.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The D500 because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Sony A99 II will provide greater detail as a result of its extra 21MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The older D500 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D500 vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D500
Portrait photography with Sony A99 II
79
manual focus
megapixel count good (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
86
manual focus
excellent megapixels (42 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D500 Street photography info
Sony A99 II Street photography info
68
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
has focus by touch
environment proof
great ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
76
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
great ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D500 Sports photography features
Sony A99 II Sports photography features
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count good (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery (1,240 shots)
has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (42MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
bad battery (490 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D500
Travel photography with Sony A99 II
68
good battery (1,240 CIPA)
environment proof
has bluetooth
has focus by touch
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
70
environment sealing
has bluetooth
excellent megapixels (42 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery (490 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D500
Landscape photography with Sony A99 II
77
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no low pass filter
great ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
good battery (1,240 per charge)
2 card slots
no image stabilization
82
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (42 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
2 card slots
bad battery (490 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D500 Vlogging information
Sony A99 II Vlogging information
31
touchscreen capability
has face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external mic support
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
78
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has microphone support
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Nikon D500 vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Sony A99 II
 Nikon D500Sony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D500 Sony Alpha A99 II
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2016-01-05 2016-09-19
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 5 Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-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 42MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5568 x 3712 7952 x 5304
Highest native ISO 51200 25600
Highest boosted ISO 1640000 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 153 399
Cross focus points 99 79
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully articulated
Screen sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 2,359k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum 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 -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 860g (1.90 pounds) 849g (1.87 pounds)
Dimensions 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 84 92
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 14.0 13.4
DXO Low light score 1324 2317
Other
Battery life 1240 pictures 490 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery model EN-EL15 -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Card slots Two Two
Launch pricing $1,497 $3,198