Nikon D500
Announced January 6, 2016
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Exceptional
The Nikon D500 is a robust, high-speed APS-C DSLR that delivers professional-grade autofocus and burst performance for sports and wildlife photographers. Although it excels in durability and tracking, the camera is limited by a significant crop factor when recording 4K video and lacks an internal flash.
Weighted from 43 reviewer scores
Pros
- Fast, accurate 153-point autofocus system with excellent frame coverage
- High-speed 10fps continuous shooting with a deep buffer
- Rugged, weather-sealed build quality with ergonomic controls
- Excellent image quality and low-light performance for a crop-sensor body
- Versatile tilting touchscreen and illuminated buttons for low-light use
Cons
- Significant 1.5x crop factor when recording 4K video
- Slow and inconsistent Live View autofocus
- Lack of a built-in flash
- Unreliable or limited wireless connectivity via SnapBridge
- High price point compared to other APS-C models
- Launch price $1,999.95 (USD)
- Sensor 20.9MP APS-C CMOS
- Video 4K 30p
- Stabilization None
- Burst 10 fps mechanical
What the Reviewers Say
All 43 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- DPReview 91/100
The D500 is among the best DSLRs we've ever tested. Its strengths are its superlative autofocus combined with the ability to keep shooting at 10 frames per second.
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The Nikon D500 is one of the most capable, well-rounded DSLRs on the market, and undoubtedly takes the prize as a Dave’s Pick.
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Ultimately though I think like Canon’s 7D Mark II, the D500 finds itself appealing to an increasingly specialist audience.
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The D500 is an instant classic. So long anticipated and it gets so many things right.
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Nikonians with APS-C-sensor bodies who are looking to upgrade would do well to step up to the D500, especially if you’ve already amassed a selection of DX glass.
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The D500 is the most well-accomplished crop sensor and makes a great investment for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
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Fortunately, those things generally won’t tend to stop you from shooting with this powerhouse and producing excellent images.
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So honestly folks, if you want a fast, capable camera, the Nikon D500 is excellent and I think worth the money.
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The Nikon D500 is far superior to all with the pro-level bodies in every performance respect, at least at the time of this video: better AF across the board, faster frame rate, deeper buffer, better layout and ergonomics for action, better control customization, and on.
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The Nikon D500 goes head-to-head with the Canon EOS 7D Mark II, and offers 10fps continuous shooting, an updated and rapid focus system with excellent frame coverage, as well as 4K video.
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We were kept waiting a long time for the Nikon D500, but boy does it seem like it was worth the wait.
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The D500 is a great camera that Nikon has put out. It is an unbelievable place for somebody new getting into photography to consider starting.
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The Nikon D500 is a great camera for sports and wildlife photographers. It’s fast, it’s reliable and it’s built to last.
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The Nikon D500 is a dream camera. It has a fast, effective autofocus system, 10fps shooting capability and first-rate metering and white balance systems.
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The Nikon D500 puts the company's finest autofocus system in a tough, compact SLR body that will please demanding enthusiasts and pros alike.
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The D500 is an excellent camera, and one that will serve many enthusiasts well, giving them the first-rate systems they desire in a smaller, more affordable body than the D5.
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The Nikon D500 is one of my all-time favorite Nikon DSLRs thanks to its excellent image quality and performance.
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Because it is an affordable price for what you get, we liked it, but would have liked better usability.
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[I]t’s the best wildlife and sports camera available, for most photographers.
- Digital Trends 9/10
This camera is a slam-dunk for Editors’ Choice winner, and, depending on what comes down the road, it is a contender for the Camera of The Year.
- CNET 8.4/10
The Nikon D500 is 95 percent of a terrific camera. I enjoy photographing with it, the image quality is excellent for its sensor class, the feature set has all the essentials plus a bit more and it’s fast in most shooting situations.
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So if you're looking for high quality, high build quality, image quality, tracking ability, speed, buffer, all of those things, and you want a DX camera and you want full Nikon compatibility, the Nikon D500 without a question is an absolutely fantastic choice.
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The Nikon D500 is surely the camera to bring back some glory for Nikon and prove that APSC is far from dead.
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The review camera fulfilled our expectations for a flagship APS-C DSLR camera and comes with most (if not all) the functions a serious enthusiast or professional photographer would require.
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Nikon appears to be on a mission to pack the best of everything into this camera, and by and large it has succeeded. It looks, feels and behaves like a quality piece of kit, it rarely keeps you waiting and it’s unfazed by tricky shooting conditions.
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The Nikon D500’s range of features and excellent performance make it the best APS-C DSLR you can buy.
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The bottom line though is that the Nikon D500 can almost do anything its predecessors can with just as much ease.
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If you need speed, tracking, battery life, and a body that handles rough weather without anxiety, the Nikon D500 still makes sense in 2026.
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I have to say that in terms of the sheer raw performance that you get out of it and we're talking about burst speed, autofocus, how it tracks, that kind of thing, it is absolutely phenomenal. It does the job like it's nobody's business.
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All in all, guys, this camera is amazing for sports, wildlife, anything you need speed.
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The D500 is the first consumer Nikon that's worthwhile considering for serious sports shooting. For sports, it's a complete winner.
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The Nikon D500 is in many ways an APS-C D850: a rapid-fire, pro-caliber imaging machine that extends the focal length of your lenses.
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Before I list what I don’t like I need to introduce a caveat! This is such an amazing camera my dislikes are quite personal and subjective based upon my own style of shooting.
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The Nikon D500 has the intelligence for novices and a sophisticated control set for experienced shooters. Combined with Nikon's legendary image quality, the Nikon D500 is a flagship that you'd be proud to captain on your next voyage.
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The Nikon D500 is a great camera and anyone who purchases it will really enjoy using it. Full frame is great, but if you are a photographer who likes to zoom in, then the DX may suit you more.
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If you are already a wedding photographer, portraits, feel free like yourself, this is fantastic, get as a second body or like a stuff. And if you want a camera which is a little ashy for about five years, boom, go get this.
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[M]y thoughts on the Nikon D500 are actually pretty positive.
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If you shoot sports or wildlife, and enjoy the 1.3x crop factor inherent to a DX body (and are willing to sacrifice the high ISO quality using DX vs FX), the D500 is the best camera you can buy today.
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Okay friends, the bottom line is that the Nikon D500 blows me away with its speed, handling, and high ISO capabilities.
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To sum up this quick review, the D500 does have a couple shortcomings in terms of the video side, however it makes up for its robustness, high performance in autofocus as well as overall image quality.
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I'm working with Canon for almost 7 years now but if I would need a camera today with an APS-C sensor I would definitely go with the D500. I'm convinced of the great low light performance, 4K video and up to 10 frames a second in the burst mode.
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So is this worth $2,000? Absolutely, it's worth $2,000 to me if I really wanted something like this and to someone else who's looking to upgrade to something like this as well.
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Who is this camera for? If you're doing sports, basically if you're doing sports and you don't want to spend $6,500 on a camera body, this is the perfect camera for you.
