NIKON D500

The Nikon D500 is a DX-format package that claims a flagship performance.Isittheundisputed king of APS-CDSLRs?Let's findout…

- Jordan Butters

THE NIKON D500 has been a long time coming. In fact, it’s been over six years since Nikon launched the highly-regarded D300S. A camera, which many proclaim as the brand’s best APS-C offering to date. In the years since, Nikon has launched a surprising number of enthusiast APS-C models, and a range of enthusiast and pro full-frame cameras, but nothing that, for many, filled the void left by the D300S. The D500 has a lot to live up to.

Launched alongside the new flagship professional Nikon D5, the D500 shares several features with its bigger, much more expensive sibling – namely the impressive EXPEED 5 processor, 153-point Multi-CAM 20K autofocus system, and its pixel count too. Aimed at advanced enthusiasts and professionals seeking a fast, light APS-C model and extra pulling power (thanks to the 1.5x crop factor), the 10fps D500 looks at long last to put Nikon in a position to take on the highly popular Canon EOS 7D Mk II.

Let’s start with the heart of the new camera – its sensor. At 20.9-megapixels, the D500 is a departure from the 24-megapixel image sensors that we’re used to seeing of late from Nikon. It doesn’t look as good on paper, but the D500's sensor is designed to the same high specification as the D5’s, and the lower pixel count allows for greater low-light sensitivity – the standard ISO range is 100-51200, expandable to a staggering ISO rating of 1.6 million! For the D500's target market, pixel count isn’t everything.