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Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A500

Portability
61
Imaging
80
Features
92
Overall
84
Nikon Z7 Mark II front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A500 Key Specs

Nikon Z7 II
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 705g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Revealed October 2020
  • Replaced the Nikon Z7
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Launched August 2009
  • Later Model is Sony A560
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A500 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Nikon Z7 II and Sony A500, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the Z7 II (46MP) and A500 (12MP) and the Z7 II (Full frame) and A500 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The Z7 II was unveiled 11 years later than the A500 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z7 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the Z7 II matches up versus the A500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z7 II over the Sony A500

 Z7 II A500 
LaunchedOctober 2020August 2009Fresher by 136 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k230kSharper screen (+1870k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Nikon Z7 II

 A500 Z7 II 

Common features in the Nikon Z7 II and Sony A500

 Z7 II A500 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon Z7 II has physical dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 705 grams (1.55 lbs) and the Sony A500 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Look at the Nikon Z7 II and Sony A500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the Z7 II compared to the A500.

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the Z7 II and A500 is 61 and 63 respectively.

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing merely by researching specifications. The photograph below should offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z7 II and A500.

Plainly, the two cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The Z7 II using its bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Nikon Z7 II will result in extra detail having an extra 34MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more modern Z7 II will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Portrait photography info
Sony A500 Portrait photography info
88
you can focus manually
resolution is excellent (46MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
63
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Street photography factors
Sony A500 Street photography factors
79
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
offers focus via touch
environment sealing
above average high ISO (25,600)
74
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Sports photography advice
Sony A500 Sports photography advice
90
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is excellent (46MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
51
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery pack (520 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Travel photography info
Sony A500 Travel photography info
72
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
offers focus via touch
resolution is excellent (46 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
43
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (520 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z7 II Landscape photography details
Sony A500 Landscape photography details
88
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is excellent (46 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
two card slots
60
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery pack (520 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z7 II
Vlogging with Sony A500
36
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external mic socket
display isn't selfie friendly
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon Z7 II vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z7 II and Sony A500
 Nikon Z7 Mark IISony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z7 Mark II Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2020-10-14 2009-08-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 46 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 8256 x 5504 4272 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 64 200
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 493 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 15 143
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 2,100 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 705g (1.55 lb) 630g (1.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 64
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.6
DXO Low light score not tested 772
Other
Battery life 420 pictures 520 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type CFexpress (Type B), XQD, SD (UHS-II) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 2 Single
Price at release $2,997 $638