After finishing our visit to the Canon house with the budget EOS 4000D, it's time to move to the other end of the spectrum and review the professional camera offerings. Our search takes us to the territory of the excellent Nikon D500, which beyond its four-digit price and 21 megapixels on its sensor, delivers 4Kp30 recording, 10 FPS burst mode, 153 focus points, and more than 1,000 shots per charge with its battery.
As we indicated at the end of July, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is one of the best cameras money can buy. Its specifications are impressive, and it's hard to imagine a photography expert having problems with it. However, the €3,700 price tag is hard to swallow. So, what camera can we get at a lower cost that doesn't sacrifice as much in specs? A humble suggestion is the Nikon D500. Originally announced in January 2016, the Nikon D500 is the direct heir to the D300S, with almost seven years between them, representing a complete generational leap. Let's see what it has to offer:
Nikon D500: Action, Sports, and Much More
One of the first things the Nikon D500 teaches us (and reminds us) is not to get carried away by the megapixel madness. Its specs confirm 20.9 million effective pixels, a number below the sensors in the Nikon D7200 or the mirrorless Canon EOS M5, but the rest is truly impressive. Its ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 51,200 with a boost in both directions from 50 to 1,640,000, while the shutter speed is from 1/8000 to 30 seconds. If we have to talk about a special gem in the Nikon D500's crown, it's its autofocus system: 153 points in total, of which 99 are cross-type and 15 compatible with f/8. Technically, the user can control 55 of those points, but the camera makes that process very easy. If you're thinking about sports photography, action scenes, or moving objects, the Nikon D500 has everything you need to improve your technique, including a 10 FPS burst backed by a maximum buffer of 200 images using an XQD card (more on this below).
If you come from an entry-level or semi-pro camera, you'll notice that the Nikon D500's controls are a bit different. The screen is 3.2 inches, tilts vertically, includes touch support, and its resolution reaches 2.35 million dots. The viewfinder is an eye-level pentaprism with 100% coverage and 1x magnification. On top, we find the main dial that includes the shooting modes (Single frame «S», Low-speed continuous «CL», High-speed continuous «CH», Quiet shutter «Q», Quiet continuous «QC», Self-timer «Timer», and Mirror up «MUP»), and four buttons: MODE, WB, QUAL, and a crosshair icon.
MODE takes us to the exposure modes (Programmed auto «P», Shutter priority «S», Aperture priority «A», and Manual «M»). QUAL is a reference to "quality" and enables access to image quality parameters. Similarly, WB is the white balance control, and the crosshair icon is actually the light metering adjustment, whose basics we explained in the Nikon D3300 tutorial. The options on the Nikon D500 are Matrix, Center-weighted, Spot, and Highlight-weighted. All advanced details about these commands can be found in the manual (I recommend starting on page «1», which is document page 27).
Video recording on the Nikon D500 supports 4Kp30 at about 112-122 megabits per second, although we can also choose 25p or 24p. When it comes to storing all that video, the camera offers two slots, one SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) and the other XQD, with a write speed of 400 megabytes per second. If you want to access the burst with the 200-image buffer, we definitely recommend getting one of those cards, but if you stick to SD, the buffer stays at about 25-35 frames. The Nikon D500 allows using both cards as backup, separating JPEG from RAW, and copying images between them. To finish this section, the camera's connectivity is split between Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, and NFC, but the official SnapBridge software is undoubtedly a weak point that doesn't match the camera's quality and needs much more work.
Accessories for the Nikon D500
At €1,800 for the body alone, the Nikon D500 demands a good selection of accessories. Our preferred options never lose sight of the cost factor but at the same time adapt seamlessly to more demanding DSLRs. How about we start?
Batteries and Power
The Nikon D500 reports an impressive 1,240 shots on a single charge of its EN-EL15 battery, but that doesn't stop us from adding more power to extend sessions. That brings us to the kit (product code: "KitGX-D17,VDTS-4604-CH-VDTS-87") consisting of a Gloxy GX-D17 grip (which includes a secondary shutter release) and an EN-EL15 module. As a complement to the official charger, it's not a bad idea to add a Gloxy 2-in-1 hybrid charger, so your batteries will have maximum charge at home and in the car.
Compatible Flashes
The trained eye has probably already noticed that the Nikon D500 doesn't include a flash, but that translates into greater flexibility when adding extra light to our shots. Our first suggestion when buying a professional flash for Nikon D500 (product code: "0713633212,IM712565957") is the Gloxy GX-F1000, which not only has excellent performance but also includes 20 color gels, a case, foot, and diffuser for free. Among the more compact solutions, I'd like to highlight the Nissin Di700A, with an interface based on an LED screen that makes it very easy to use, and a zoom coverage of 24-200 mm.
Tripods and Supports
There's no point denying that the Nikon D500 is a relatively heavy camera for many users, so it's logical that one of the most important things to consider is a tripod. For professional and casual use alike, the best balance is offered by the Gloxy GX-T6662A Plus (product code: "0713869670,0712163592"), with a hook on the bottom, a quick-release ball head, and a maximum height of 1.6 meters. One of the most robust companions for the Gloxy tripod is the Takeway T1 support, which grips firmly to any surface, supports 40 kilograms, and we can also use it with smartphones and tablets if needed.
Backpacks
The construction of its body in magnesium alloy and carbon fiber composite makes the Nikon D500 quite resistant, but it would be a gross error not to protect our investment (and potential work tool) with a backpack. At the top of the list is the Gloxy Pro AW (product code: "GloxyPRO,IM712002453"), available in three different sizes, very well padded inside, and at a very reasonable price. On the other hand, if you want a more compact design with extra attention to aesthetics, the Manfrotto Gear Backpack M meets both conditions.
Lenses
Basically, there are no shortcuts or tricks here. If you've decided to invest €1,800 in a body, then you're willing to make a similar commitment to a good set of lenses. When it comes to wide-angle, Irix's current offering with its Firefly and Blackstone lenses (product code: "0713043558,0713043556") is unbeatable. Interiors and exteriors come out wonderfully with either, and remember they're available in 11 and 15 mm. On the other hand, today's wildcard is the Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II VC, versatile, lightweight, easy to carry, and well-priced. Finally, if your priority is a dedicated telephoto, I recommend waiting for the Samyang 650-1300mm f/8-16. They're selling like hotcakes...
For those interested in the Samyang telephoto, the product code is "0712710392,SAM650NIKON".
And so we close another round of photographic exploration. I still don't know which camera we'll visit next week, but I'm glad this turn belonged to the Nikon D500. A great DSLR, with solid performance, respected by the specialized press and professionals, and desired by those who want to be. The competition is very tough in the high-end space, but if your budget allows, you should consider the D500. That's all, good luck!
