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Nikon D500 vs Sony A700

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 front
Portability
58
Imaging
51
Features
58
Overall
53

Nikon D500 vs Sony A700 Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Announced January 2016
  • Replaced the Nikon D300S
Sony A700
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 768g - 142 x 105 x 80mm
  • Released December 2007
  • Previous Model is Konica Minolta 7D
  • Later Model is Sony A77
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Nikon D500 vs Sony A700 Overview

The following is a detailed analysis of the Nikon D500 versus Sony A700, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the D500 (21MP) and A700 (12MP) but they possess the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The D500 was revealed 8 years after the A700 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the D500 grades vs the A700 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Sony A700

 D500 A700 
ReleasedJanuary 2016December 2007Newer by 98 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k920kSharper display (+1439k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A700 over the Nikon D500

 A700 D500 

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Sony A700

 D500 A700 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Nikon D500 vs Sony A700 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D500 provides outer measurements of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) whilst the Sony A700 has proportions of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") and a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D500 versus Sony A700 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the D500 against the A700.

Nikon D500 vs Sony A700 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the D500 and A700 is 56 and 58 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Sony A700 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Sony A700 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading technical specs. The image here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the D500 and A700.

As you can tell, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon D500 to deliver more detail because of its extra 9MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos much more aggressively. The more recent D500 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D500 vs Sony A700 sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Sony A700 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Sony A700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D500
Portrait photography with Sony A700
79
manual focus
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW formats
54
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D500 Street photography advice
Sony A700 Street photography advice
68
tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
provides focus by touch
weather proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
64
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D500 Sports photography info
Sony A700 Sports photography info
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
MP count decent (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
great battery pack (1,240 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
56
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A700 as a Travel photography camera
68
great battery pack (1,240 per charge)
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
provides focus by touch
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
49
environment proof
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D500 Landscape photography features
Sony A700 Landscape photography features
77
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
MP count decent (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
great battery pack (1,240 CIPA)
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
62
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
has dual storage slots
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (12MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D500 Vlogging info
Sony A700 Vlogging info
31
has touchscreen
comes with face detect focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
9
lack of video recording
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Nikon D500 vs Sony A700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Sony A700
 Nikon D500Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2016-01-05 2007-12-19
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 5 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5568 x 3712 4272 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 51200 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 1640000 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 153 11
Cross type focus points 99 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 2,359k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x 0.6x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, rear curtain, Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 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 -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 860 grams (1.90 pounds) 768 grams (1.69 pounds)
Dimensions 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") 142 x 105 x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 84 66
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 11.9
DXO Low light rating 1324 581
Other
Battery life 1240 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL15 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots Two Two
Launch cost $1,497 $1,000