Nikon D500 vs Panasonic G9

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Nikon D500 vs Panasonic G9

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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.

4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G9 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic G9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G9.
Compare Panasonic G9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic G9 conclusion.

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Differences

Nikon D500 advantages over Panasonic G9

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.22 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 400 shots
Capture more photos
Higher-res screen
590k vs 347k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 50 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 50 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 G9 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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Lighter weight
658g vs 856g
Lighter weight
More viewfinder magnification
0.83x vs 0.67x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
60.0 fps vs 10.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.0 fps vs 10.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G9 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 Panasonic G9

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens

All G9 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

Great build quality; Very good image quality; Effective IBIS; Excellent performance; Fast shooting speeds; 4K/60p video.
No phase-detection autofocus; 10-minute limit for 4k60p video clips; No V-Log or 10-bit video.
Read our Panasonic G9 Review

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

Panasonic G9

Pentax K-3 II

$1065
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic G9 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 G9

Sony A68

$1065
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Sony A68

Compared to Panasonic GH5

Nikon D500

Panasonic GH5

$1598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D500 vs Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

$1065
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic GH5

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 G9

Pentax KP

$1065
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Pentax KP

Compared to Panasonic G95

Nikon D500

Panasonic G95

$1598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D500 vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic G9

Panasonic G95

$1065
4/3

Slower slow-motion
High resolution composite

$848
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic G95

Compare Other Cameras?