• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • APS-C 361.2mm2
  • 25.7 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1,600,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D500
  • Pentax K-3 III
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D300S
D300S vs D500
Pentax K-3 II
K-3 II vs K-3 III
Successor:    
General
Model Number: D500 K-3 III
Alternate Model Number(s):   K-3 Mark III
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: Yes Yes
Retail Price: $1999.95 $1999.95
Street Price: $1,598.45 $1,763.62
Date Available: 2016-03-15 2021-04-06
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.2 oz (856 g)
includes batteries
28.9 oz (820 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.8 x 4.5 x 3.2 in.
(147 x 115 x 81 mm)
5.3 x 4.1 x 2.9 in.
(135 x 104 x 74 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 20.9 25.7
Sensor Format: APS-C APS-C
Sensor size: 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm) 361.15mm2 (23.30mm x 15.50mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.22 microns 3.76 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 1.5x
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  
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: 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)
6192 x 4128 (25.6 MP, 3:2),
4752 x 3168 (15.1 MP, 3:2),
3648 x 2432 (8.9 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 12.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
3840x2160 (30p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM) MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (MOV)
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/KAF2/3/4)
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 SAFOX 13 TTL phase-matching - 101 point (25 cross type focus points in the center)
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, 1.05x mag., 20.5mm eyepoint, -4.0 to +1.0 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.67x 1.05x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.00x  
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) 1,620,000 dots (540,000 px)
Touchscreen: Yes Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom:   16.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 51200 1600000
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, 100-1600000 (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), Copying the white balance setting of a captured image
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 307K-pixel RGBIr sensor, Center-weighted, Spot, Highlight-weighted
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: N/A Scene Analyze Auto, Program, Sensitivity Priority, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Shutter & Aperture Priority; Digital filters (capture): Extract Color, Replace Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Unicolor Bold, Tone Expansion, Bold Monochrome, Grainy Monochrome; HDR: Auto, HDR1, HDR2, HDR3, Advanced HDR, Exposure bracket value adjustable, Automatic composition correction function; Pixel Shift Resolution (On/Off)
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  
High Resolution Composite: No 24.0 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-II
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)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes Yes
NFC: Yes No
Bluetooth: Yes Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: Yes Yes
External Connections: USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional: wired or wireless Optional Wired or IR
Connections (extended): Type-C Mini HDMI with uncompressed video support, 10-pin Remote Terminal, PC Sync USB 3.2 Gen1 (Type-C), Micro B,Micro (Type D) HMDI, External cable switch terminal (2.5mm), X-sync socket, 3.5mm stereo mic input, 3.5mm headphone jack
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): 10.2 12.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 200 30
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): 1240 shots 800 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 includes Digital Camera Utility 5
OS Compatibility: Windows 7/8/10, Mac OS X 10.9.5-10.11.5  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: