Nikon D500 vs Panasonic FZ2500

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Nikon D500 vs Panasonic FZ2500

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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.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic FZ2500 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic FZ2500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the FZ2500.
Compare Panasonic FZ2500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic FZ2500 conclusion.

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Differences

Nikon D500 advantages over Panasonic FZ2500

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.22 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 2.3 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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 350 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Thinner
81 mm vs 134 mm
Thinner
Higher-res screen
590k vs 347k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 35 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
1638400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic FZ2500 advantages over Nikon D500

Less expensive
$898* vs $1597
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More viewfinder magnification
0.74x vs 0.67x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
11.4 fps vs 10.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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
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

Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read FZ2500 User Reviews

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Panasonic FZ2500 (Black)

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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

Rugged camera body with many physical controls; Generally excellent image quality & high ISO performance for its class; Versatile zoom lens; Fast and accurate autofocus; Unlimited 4K video recording; Fast full-res burst mode with generous buffers.
Continuous autofocus performance struggles at telephoto end; Slow buffer clearing (no UHS-II support); Lens produces soft corners at most focal lengths.
Read our Panasonic FZ2500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000

Nikon D500

Panasonic FZ1000

$1598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$773
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon D500 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic FZ2500

Panasonic FZ1000

$899
1 inch

Touchscreen
More telephoto lens reach

$773
1 inch

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Nikon D500

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$1598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
1 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Panasonic FZ2500

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$899
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$899
1 inch

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

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

Panasonic FZ2500

Pentax K-3 II

$899
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$830
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 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

Panasonic FZ2500

Sony A68

$899
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 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

Panasonic FZ2500

Pentax KP

$899
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Pentax KP

Compare Other Cameras?