• 0.98 inch 285.7mm2
  • 4.7 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sigma SD15
  • Nikon D500
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Nikon D300S
D300S vs D500
Successor:    
General
Model Number: SD15 D500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price:   $1999.95
Street Price: $1,500.00 $1,598.45
Date Available: 2010-06-30 2016-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 24.0 oz (680 g) 30.2 oz (856 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.7 x 4.2 x 3.2 in.
(144 x 107 x 81 mm)
5.8 x 4.5 x 3.2 in.
(147 x 115 x 81 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Foveon X3  
Effective Megapixels: 4.7 20.9
Sensor Format: 0.98 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 285.66mm2 (20.70mm x 13.80mm) 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 7.84 microns 4.22 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.7x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: Full Color RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Not needed None
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   83
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   24.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   14.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   1,324
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 2640 x 1760 (4.6 MP, 3:2),
2640 x 1485 (3.9 MP, 16:9),
1872 x 1248 (2.3 MP, 3:2),
1312 x 880 (1.2 MP, Other)
5568 x 3712 (20.7 MP, 3:2),
4176 x 2784 (11.6 MP, 3:2),
2784 x 1856 (5.2 MP, 3:2),
4272 x 2848 (12.2 MP, 3:2),
3200 x 2136 (6.8 MP, 3:2),
2128 x 1424 (3.0 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), 12-bit RAW (.X3F) JPEG (EXIF 2.3), NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed, L/M/S; RAW+JPEG, TIFF
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 10.2
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
Movie File Format:   MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sigma SA bayonet Nikon F
Lens: n/a n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):    
Focal Length (actual):    
Zoom Ratio:    
Aperture Range:    
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: Varies with lens n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 5-point phase-difference detection OVF: Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 20K autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection fine-tuning, and 153 focus points (including 99 cross-type sensors and 15 sensors that support f/8), of which 55 (35 cross-type sensors and 9 f/8 sensors) are available for selection; ; Contrast-detect AF in Live View mode
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 98% coverage, 0.9x mag. SLR type: eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.0x magnification (~0.67x 35mm eq.), 16mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x 0.67x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.90x 1.00x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 460,000 dots 2,359,000 dots (589,750 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom:    
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 1600 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto (100-200), Auto with Flash (100-400), 50*, 100, 200, 400, 800,1600, 3200* (*Extended mode) Auto, ISO 100 - 51200, expandable to Lo-1 ISO 50 to Hi-5 ISO 1,638,400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Sunlight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto (3 types), Cloudy, Shade, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Fluorescent (7 types), Incandescent, Kelvin Color Temperature (2,500K-10,000K), Preset manual (up to 6); Fine tuning available.
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 77-segment Evaluative, Center Weighted Average, Center Area, Spot TTL exposure metering using RGB sensor with approximately 180K (180,000) pixels; Matrix: 3D color matrix metering III (type G, E, and D lenses), color matrix metering III (other CPU lenses); Center-weighted (weight of approximately 75% given to 8mm circle in center of frame. Diameter of circle can be changed to 6, 10, or 13mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame (non-CPU lenses use 8-mm circle); Spot: meters circle with diameter of about 3.5mm (about 2.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used); Highlight-weighted: Available with type G, E, and D lenses
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   N/A
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2/5/10/20s; 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: S-TTL; Forced On, Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction Front curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, Auto FP High-Speed Sync supported
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 11.0 m / 36.1 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot Shoe, PC-sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: Microdrive / SD / SDHC XQD / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-II
Other Memory:   Dual slots, XQD+SD
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.X3F) NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed, L/M/S; RAW+JPEG, TIFF
Movie File Format:   MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 Full (LOW) Speed,FireWire USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: No Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: RS-31 Wireless, CR-21 Wired Optional: wired or wireless
Connections (extended): DC input Type-C Mini HDMI with uncompressed video support, 10-pin Remote Terminal, PC Sync
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):   <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.0 10.2
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 21 200
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   10.2
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   200
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   10.2
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   27
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):   0.17 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.103 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.049 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused):   0.049 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time:   0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 250 shots 1240 shots
Battery Life, Video:   50 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BP-21 Proprietary EN-EL15, optional MB-D17 battery grip
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BP-21 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL15 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Sigma Photo Pro 4.0 ViewNX-i, ViewNX-Movie Editor, Capture NX-D, Nikon Transfer 2, Picture Control Utility 2 downloads
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows 7/8/10, Mac OS X 10.9.5-10.11.5
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 14MP Foveon X3 Sensor, True II Processor.