• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 204,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D500
  • Pentax K-1
Links
Prices: Compare Prices  
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D300S
D300S vs D500
 
Successor:   Pentax K-1 II
K-1 vs K-1 II
General
Model Number: D500 K-1
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: Yes No
Retail Price: $1999.95 $1799.95
Street Price: $1,598.45  
Date Available: 2016-03-15 2016-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.2 oz (856 g)
includes batteries
35.8 oz (1,015 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.8 x 4.5 x 3.2 in.
(147 x 115 x 81 mm)
5.4 x 4.3 x 3.4 in.
(137 x 110 x 86 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 20.9 36.4
Sensor Format: APS-C 35mm
Sensor size: 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm) 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.22 microns 4.88 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: None Optional
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 83 96
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 24.0 25.4
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 14.0 14.6
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,324 3,280
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 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)
7360 x 4912 (36.2 MP, 3:2),
5760 x 3840 (22.1 MP, 3:2),
4224 x 2816 (11.9 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2),
4800 x 3200 (15.4 MP, 3:2),
4224 x 2816 (11.9 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1280 (2.5 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed, L/M/S; RAW+JPEG, TIFF JPEG (EXIF 2.30), 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 10.2 4.6
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
1920x1080 (60i/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM) MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV), JPEG (AVI) for interval movie record
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3)
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: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a  
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 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 TTL Phase-detection AF: SAFOX 12, 33 point (25 cross type focus points in the center), Spot, Select, Expanded Area (S, M, L), Zone select, Auto (33 AF points)
Auto Focus Assist Light? No Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type: eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.0x magnification (~0.67x 35mm eq.), 16mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x mag., Eyepoint: 20.6mm (from the view window) / 21.7mm (from the center of lens), -3.5 to +1.2 diopter, Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.67x 0.70x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.00x 0.70x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.2 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 2,359,000 dots (589,750 px) 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: Yes No
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom:   16.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 51200 204800
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 100 - 51200, expandable to Lo-1 ISO 50 to Hi-5 ISO 1,638,400 Auto, 100-204800 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: 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. Auto, Multi Auto WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent Light (D: Daylight Color, N:Daylight White, W:Cool White, L:Warm White), Tungsten Light, Flash, CTE, Manual (up to 3 settings), Color Temperature (up to 3 settings)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 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 TTL open-aperture: Multi-segment with 86K-pixel RGB sensor, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: N/A Sensitivity Priority, Shutter and Aperture Priority; Digital filters (capture): Extract Color, Replace Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Unicolor Bold, Bold Monochrome; HDR: Auto, HDR1, HDR2, HDR3; Pixel Shift Resolution (On/Off); Multi-Exposure, Interval Shooting, Interval Composite, Interval Movie Record, Star Stream
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20s; 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes Yes
High Resolution Composite: No 36.2 megapixels
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: 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 P-TTL; Modes available depends on external flash mounted
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, PC-sync Terminal Hot Shoe, PC Sync socket
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: No No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: XQD / SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-II UHS-I
Other Memory: Dual slots, XQD+SD  
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed, L/M/S; RAW+JPEG, TIFF 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM) MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV), JPEG (AVI) for interval movie record
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes Yes
NFC: Yes No
Bluetooth: Yes No
Built-In GPS: No Yes
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: Yes Yes
External Connections: USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional: wired or wireless Optional wired, IR wireless or Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): Type-C Mini HDMI with uncompressed video support, 10-pin Remote Terminal, PC Sync Micro (Type D) HMDI, USB 2.0 Micro B, DC input, wired remote jack, 3.5mm external stereo mic jack, 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): <0.3 <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 <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 10.2 4.6
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 200 74
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 10.2 4.6
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 200 17
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 10.2 4.6
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 27 13
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.17 seconds 0.09 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.103 seconds 0.247 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.049 seconds 0.087 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.049 seconds 0.086 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 1.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.2 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 1240 shots 760 shots
Battery Life, Video: 50 minutes  
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL15, optional MB-D17 battery grip Proprietary D-LI90
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL15 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary D-LI90 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: ViewNX-i, ViewNX-Movie Editor, Capture NX-D, Nikon Transfer 2, Picture Control Utility 2 downloads Software CD-ROM S-SW162 includes Digital Camera Utility 5
OS Compatibility: Windows 7/8/10, Mac OS X 10.9.5-10.11.5  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: