Nikon D500

Manufacturer: Nikon Type: camera — APS-C DSLR (DX) Year introduced: 2016 Sensor: 20.9MP DX CMOS Key specs: 153-point AF system, 10fps, 4K UHD video Price at launch: ~$1,999

Overview

The Nikon D500 is a 20.9-megapixel DX-format DSLR announced at CES in January 2016, filling the gap left by the absence of a D400 successor. It debuted alongside the D5 flagship and shared the D5’s 153-point AF system and 10fps burst rate — pro-level performance in a cropped-sensor body. For underwater photographers, the D500 became the dominant DX body for big-animal photography: the 1.5x crop factor effectively extended telephoto reach, and the advanced AF made it well-suited to tracking fast-moving marine life such as sharks, dolphins, and rays.

Nikon announced the D500 on January 6, 2016 (^[1]), following hands-on coverage in February (^[2]).

Adam Hanlon published a comprehensive field review on October 26, 2016, after shooting nearly 8,000 images over more than a month during the Wetpixel Raja Ampat Expedition aboard the liveaboard Damai I, and the Wetpixel/Alex Mustard Lembeh Macro workshop at Lembeh Resort (^[3]). The review tested the camera in the Nauticam NA-D500 housing with a Tokina AT-X 107 AF DX 10-17mm lens and a Zen 170mm dome port. Ryan Canon of Reef Photo supplied the body; Edward Lai and Phoebe Lu of Nauticam delivered the housing to the liveaboard before departure. Hanlon noted the D500’s arrival cast doubt on purchasing decisions many UW photographers had made in the years without a D400 — FX bodies, D7000-series cameras, or mirrorless alternatives.

The Nauticam NA-D500 housing was also reviewed separately in November 2016 (^[4]).

Don Silcock reviewed the D500 in the Azores in November 2016.

Housing race

Multiple manufacturers announced or shipped housings within months of the camera’s announcement:

• Subal ND500 — Announced January 20, 2016 alongside the Nikon D5 housing (^[5]).
• Nauticam NA-D500 — $3,500, shipped May 23, 2016 (^[6]).
• Sea & Sea MDX-D500 — $3,599, announced June 23, 2016 (^[7]).
• Aquatica AD500 — $3,195, announced June 14, 2016 (^[8]).
• Ikelite housing — Announced August 20, 2016 (^[9]).
• Seacam Silver D500 — Reviewed July 5, 2017 (^[10]).

Reviews & Discussion

• ^[11] — Announcement coverage. Article (editorial source).
• ^[12] — Early impressions. Article (editorial source).
• ^[13] — Adam Hanlon’s comprehensive multi-location field review, Raja Ampat and Lembeh, Indonesia. Article (editorial source).
• ^[14] — Dedicated housing review. Article (editorial source).
• ^[15] — Premium housing option reviewed. Article (editorial source).

Community Discussion

• Nikon D500 DX camera first impressions underwater (33 replies) — Early underwater test results with the D500, including autofocus performance reports and comparisons with previous DX bodies. (forum thread, topic 57892)
• Nikon D500 (20 replies) — Pre-release speculation and initial reactions to the D500 announcement, discussing DX viability in the mirrorless era. (forum thread, topic 57105)
• Nikon D5 and D500 Launch Event (10 replies) — Reports from Nikon’s official launch events for the D5 and D500, with hands-on impressions. (forum thread, topic 57232)
• SUBAL for Nikon D500 (9 replies) — Discussion of the Subal ND500 housing announcement and availability timeline. (forum thread, topic 57697)

References

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