• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D800
  • Nikon D500
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon D800 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D700
D700 vs D800
Nikon D300S
D300S vs D500
Successor: Nikon D810
D800 vs D810
 
General
Model Number: D800 D500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $2999.95 $1999.95
Street Price: $1,849.95 $1,598.45
Date Available: 2012-03-30 2016-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 35.6 oz (1,008 g)
includes batteries
30.2 oz (856 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.7 x 4.8 x 3.2 in.
(146 x 123 x 82 mm)
5.8 x 4.5 x 3.2 in.
(147 x 115 x 81 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 36.3 20.9
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.88 microns 4.22 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 95 83
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 25.3 24.0
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 14.4 14.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 2,853 1,324
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 7360 x 4912 (36.2 MP, 3:2),
5520 x 3680 (20.3 MP, 3:2),
3680 x 2456 (9.0 MP, 3:2),
6114 x 4080 (24.9 MP, 3:2),
4608 x 3056 (14.1 MP, Other),
3072 x 2040 (6.3 MP, Other),
4800 x 3200 (15.4 MP, 3:2),
3600 x 2400 (8.6 MP, 3:2),
2400 x 1600 (3.8 MP, 3:2),
6144 x 4912 (30.2 MP, 5:4),
4608 x 3680 (17.0 MP, 5:4),
3072 x 2456 (7.5 MP, 5:4)
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)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; TIFF JPEG (EXIF 2.3), NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed, L/M/S; RAW+JPEG, TIFF
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.0 10.2
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p)
3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p)
Movie File Format: MOV (H.265/MPEG-4 AVC, Linear PCM audio) MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
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 Nikon F
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: Yes No
Digital Zoom Values: 1.2x, 1.5x (DX), 5:4 crop modes n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX including 15 cross-type sensors; f/8 supported by 11 central sensors; Contrast detection AF in Live View mode 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
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x magnification, 17mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter SLR type: eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.0x magnification (~0.67x 35mm eq.), 16mm eyepoint, -2 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x 0.67x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x 1.00x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.2 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 2,359,000 dots (589,750 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom:    
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 6400 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1EV steps, plus down to 50 in Lo-1, up to 25,600 in Hi-2 Auto, ISO 100 - 51200, expandable to Lo-1 ISO 50 to Hi-5 ISO 1,638,400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto (2), Incandescent, Fluorescent (7), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual (4), Color Temperature (2,500K-10,000K); Fine-tuning available for all options. 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.
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: 91K-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering III, Center-weighted (weight of 75% given to 12-mm circle in center of frame; diameter of circle can be changed to 8, 15 or 20 mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame), Spot (4mm circle or about 1.5% frame, centered on selected focus area) 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
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: None N/A
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20 seconds 2/5/10/20s; 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Front-curtain sync, Slow sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system 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
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens aperture dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 (up to 1/320s with lower flash range) 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO-type hot-shoe, PC Sync terminal Hot Shoe, PC-sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC XQD / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-II
Other Memory: UDMA7/UHS-I compliant Dual slots, XQD+SD
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; TIFF NEF (RAW), 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed, L/M/S; RAW+JPEG, TIFF
Movie File Format: MOV (H.265/MPEG-4 AVC, Linear PCM audio) MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: Yes Yes
External Connections: USB 3.0 Super Speed USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless Optional: wired or wireless
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI (Type C), 10-pin Expansion Terminal (GP-1 GPS compatible), Stereo Mic Mini Jack (3.5mm), Stereo Audio Out (3.5mm) Type-C Mini HDMI with uncompressed video support, 10-pin Remote Terminal, PC Sync
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.42 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.39  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 23  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.46 <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.0 10.2
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 54 200
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.0 10.2
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 18 200
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.0 10.2
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 14 27
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.21 seconds 0.17 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 1.74 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.184 seconds 0.103 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.044 seconds 0.049 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.043 seconds 0.049 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): OVF, Full Autofocus, 51-point Auto Area = 0.306s Live View, Full Autofocus = 1.735s Live View, Prefocused = 0.184s  
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.2 seconds 0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.8 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 900 shots 1240 shots
Battery Life, Video:   50 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL15 Proprietary EN-EL15, optional MB-D17 battery grip
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable or MB-D12 battery grip Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL15 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL15 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: Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM ViewNX-i, ViewNX-Movie Editor, Capture NX-D, Nikon Transfer 2, Picture Control Utility 2 downloads
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS X Windows 7/8/10, Mac OS X 10.9.5-10.11.5
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: New 36.3-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, New EXPEED 3 processor, 91K-dot Matrix Metering III, Improved Auto ISO, Full HD 1080p30 movies, HMDI simultaneous output, Dual SD+CF slots, USB 3.0.