Nikon D500 vs Canon R5

Cameras
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Nikon D500 vs Canon R5

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APS-C 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D500.
Compare Nikon D500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D500 conclusion.

35mm 864.0mm²
45.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Canon R5 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the R5.

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Differences

Nikon D500 advantages over Canon R5

Less expensive
$1597 vs $3799
Save money for lenses or accessories
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1240 vs 320 shots
Capture more photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Higher extended ISO
1638400 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon R5 advantages over Nikon D500

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Newer
4 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
0.76x vs 0.67x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
45.0 vs 20.9 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read R5 User Reviews

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Body Only
Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition
Kit with 16-80mm f/2.8-4 Lens

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Buy the Canon R5

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with RF 24-105mm f/4 L

All R5 Deals

Review Excerpt

Superb image quality; Great high ISO performance; Rugged, comfortable camera body; Sharp articulating touchscreen display; Excellent AF point frame coverage; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K UHD video; Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth.
Somewhat large for an APS-C camera; Expensive for a DX camera; 4K UHD video doesn't offer full DX field-of-view; No built-in flash; Still uses contrast-detect for Live View AF; Dual slots use two different card types (XQD and SD).
Read our Nikon D500 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon R5, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Canon R5 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D500

Pentax K-3 II

$1598
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II

Canon R5

Pentax K-3 II

$3349
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Canon R5 vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Sony A68

Nikon D500

Sony A68

$1598
APS-C

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A68

Canon R5

Sony A68

$3349
35mm

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon R5 vs Sony A68

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D500

Pentax KP

$1598
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax KP

Canon R5

Pentax KP

$3349
35mm

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Canon R5 vs Pentax KP

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Nikon D500

Nikon Z7 II

$1598
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

$2330
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z7 II

Canon R5

Nikon Z7 II

$3349
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

$2330
35mm

Less expensive
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Canon R5 vs Nikon Z7 II

Compared to Sony A1

Nikon D500

Sony A1

$1598
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

$5498
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A1

Canon R5

Sony A1

$3349
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$5498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
NFC

Compare Canon R5 vs Sony A1

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