Canon EOS RP vs Nikon D500

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

Manufacturing

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

Type of camera

Canon EOS RP 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 RP has a "FF"-sensor while Nikon D500 has a "DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

** 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 RP has a 26 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D500 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Canon EOS RP has a 26 % 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

Nikon D500 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS RP. Nikon D500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Canon EOS RP has 100 to 40000.

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 RP 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 RP
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 RP can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D500 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Canon EOS RP 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.

Nikon D500 weighs 860 gr (equal to 1,9 lb) which is 77% heavier than Canon EOS RP and its 485 gr (or 1,07 lb).