Canon EOS R3 vs Nikon D500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS R3 and Nikon D500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS R3 is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D500 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS R3 were released 2021 and Nikon D500 was released 2016. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS R3 2021
Nikon D500 2016

Type of camera

Canon EOS R3 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D500 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS R3 has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor while Nikon D500 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS R3 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D500 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS R3 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D500 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS R3 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon D500 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712

Canon EOS R3 has a 16 % larger resolution than Nikon D500. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS R3 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D500. Canon EOS R3 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Nikon D500 has 100 to 51200.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS R3 100-102400
Nikon D500 100-51200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS R3 belongs to the Canon EOS R-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS R3
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS R3 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Nikon D500 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS R3 30
Nikon D500 10

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS R3 and Nikon D500 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS R3 weighs 1015 gr (equal to 2.24 lb) which is 18% heavier than Nikon D500 and its 860 gr (or 1.9 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS R3 1015 gr
2.24 lb
Nikon D500 860 gr
1.9 lb

Canon EOS R3 vs Nikon D500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS R3 and Nikon D500, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS R3
Nikon D500
Name Canon EOS R3 Nikon D500
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS R3
Nikon D500
Release Year 2021 2016
Release Date 2021-04-14 2016-01-05
MSRP 5999 USD 1999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS R3
Nikon D500
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS R3
Nikon D500
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type Stacked CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 5568 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 21 MP
Image Processor DIGIC X EXPEED 5
Image
Canon EOS R3
Nikon D500
ISO Range 100 - 102400 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance No Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS R3
Nikon D500
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 1053 153
Lens Mount Canon RF

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS R3
Nikon D500
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Tilting
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 4150000 2359000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.76× 1× (0.67× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 5760000 0
Photography features
Canon EOS R3
Nikon D500
Frames per second 30 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS R3
Nikon D500
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
H.265
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
4096 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS R3
Nikon D500
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Canon EOS R3
Nikon D500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-in (Wi-Fi with low energy Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS Yes
Built-in
Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS R3
Nikon D500
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E19 lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 760 shots 1240 shots
Width 150 mm 147 mm
Height 143 mm 115 mm
Depth 87 mm 81 mm
Weight 1015 gram 860 gram