Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D500 and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D500 were released 2016 and Nikon D800 was released 2012. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D500 2016
Nikon D800 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D500 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Nikon D800 has a "Nikon FX"-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 **
Nikon D500 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D800 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D500 has a 21 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D800 has 36,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D500 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712
Nikon D800 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon D800 has a 75 % 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 Nikon D800. Nikon D500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D800 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D500 100-51200
Nikon D800 100-25600

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.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D500
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D800

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D500 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D500 10
Nikon D800 6

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D500 and Nikon D800 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 D800 weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 5% heavier than Nikon D500 and its 860 gr (or 1.9 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D500 860 gr
1.9 lb
Nikon D800 900 gr
1.98 lb

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D500 and Nikon D800, 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
Nikon D500
Nikon D800
Name Nikon D500 Nikon D800
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D500
Nikon D800
Release Year 2016 2012
Release Date 2016-01-05 2012-02-07
MSRP 1999 USD 2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D500
Nikon D800
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D500
Nikon D800
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5568 x 3712 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 21 MP 36,3 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 5 EXPEED 3
Image
Nikon D500
Nikon D800
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW + TIFF RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D500
Nikon D800
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 153 51
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
FX (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
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D500
Nikon D800
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3,2”
Screen dots 2359000 921000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1× (0.67× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Nikon D500
Nikon D800
Frames per second 10 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D500
Nikon D800
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D500
Nikon D800
Memory Card SD/SDHC
XQD
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Nikon D500
Nikon D800
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (Wi-Fi with low energy Bluetooth)
Yes
Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
Remote Control Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D500
Nikon D800
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1240 shots 900 shots
Width 147 mm 146 mm
Height 115 mm 123 mm
Depth 81 mm 82 mm
Weight 860 gram 900 gram