D7500 or D500?

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Craig Yuill

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I have been photographing birds for over 20 years, going back to the film era. I have been using a D7000 and Nikon V1 and V2 bodies for several years. My main birding lens these days is the Sigma 100-400. My son has essentially taken possession of my D7000, and I need a replacement. My V1 and V2 bodies work well for birds that are more or less static, but not so well with birds in motion. My D7000 is definitely better for birds in motion, but doesn’t exactly have the speediest AF.

I have used a D7500 with my Sigma 100-400 before. Good combo. The price is more in line with what I would like to pay. And both new and used copies are relatively easy to come across where I live.

But I have also been advised to consider the D500, especially given it’s best-in-class AF. The price, however, gives me pause. Also, it is more difficult to find in my area, either new or used.

Is the D500 that much better than the D7500 to warrant the significantly greater cost? Is the D7500’s performance so much less than the D500’s that I should just forget it?

(FWIW, I have also considered used D810 bodies that are currently available used, and produce images of around 16MP when used in crop mode, just like my D7000 does.)
 
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Both are good cameras although the D500 is better. You already seem to have been happy with D7500, it’s in your price range and readily available, I think it is almost decision made.
 
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dabhand16 said:
Bear in mind that the D7500 cannot take a battery grip. A D7200 can, but the D500 would be best and there are decent used ones on the market.
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I don’t disagree with what you say but the OP did mention “Also, it is more difficult to find in my area, either new or used.”
 
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It is if you know what you want. I’m one of the odd ones who likes yo pick it up and feel before I buy. As good as the D750 was in its time, it never felt right to me.
 
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Steve W said:
It is if you know what you want. I’m one of the odd ones who likes yo pick it up and feel before I buy. As good as the D750 was in its time, it never felt right to me.
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True, but you can normally return items if unwanted after inspection. Problem with stores is that even if you have one or more within reasonable distance, they often/usually don't have what you want to see in stock.
 
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Craig Yuill said:
I have been photographing birds for over 20 years, going back to the film era. I have been using a D7000 and Nikon V1 and V2 bodies for several years. My main birding lens these days is the Sigma 100-400. My son has essentially taken possession of my D7000, and I need a replacement. My V1 and V2 bodies work well for birds that are more or less static, but not so well with birds in motion. My D7000 is definitely better for birds in motion, but doesn’t exactly have the speediest AF.

I have used a D7500 with my Sigma 100-400 before. Good combo. The price is more in line with what I would like to pay. And both new and used copies are relatively easy to come across where I live.

But I have also been advised to consider the D500, especially given it’s best-in-class AF. The price, however, gives me pause. Also, it is more difficult to find in my area, either new or used.

Is the D500 that much better than the D7500 to warrant the significantly greater cost? Is the D7500’s performance so much less than the D500’s that I should just forget it?

(FWIW, I have also considered used D810 bodies that are currently available used, and produce images of around 16MP when used in crop mode, just like my D7000 does.)
Click to expand...

The D500 has a second processor for AF, and is much faster and more accurate than the D7500 or any other camera in that series. The AF module of the D500 was taken from the D5 which was released at around the same time. The D500 has a faster frame rate and memory cards and processor to support that higher frame rate. For birds and fast action, the D500 would be much better.

I'd be patient and try to find a good used or refurbished D500 if possible.
 
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I shot with a D7000 for a while. I mistakenly thought it would be an upgrade to the D300 because it came later. The AF of the 7000 is terrible for BIF coming towards you. If you've been happy with the 7000 you'll be thrilled with the D7500. There's no question that the D500 is a better camera but the 7500 will be a major upgrade for you.

I also shoot a D810 and much of the time in crop mode as you describe. It would also be a major upgrade relative to the D7000. Plus it has the benefit of full frame capability though limited to 5fps. You can't go wrong with either choice.

Another option you may consider is a lightly used D7200 if you can find one. With its 24MP sensor and no AA filter in good light it produces the sharpest images of any of the Nikon DSLRs. Shoots 6fps and has a large buffer. It does not have group AF mode like either the 7500, 500, or 810. And IQ suffers from noise in high ISO situations. Though still superior to the 7000.

So many excellent choices compared to the D7000 is not a bad dilemma to have.
 
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I had a D7100 for over 4 years before getting the D7500 which I had for over 2 years. A superb camera in almost every regard, and BUT it’s nowhere near as fast as the D500 for fast moving objects li,e BIF.
I now have the z6 which is much superior to the DSLRs but I rarely do BIF. I’ve read the reviews. Stay with the D500 for your use case….at least until we get a long z lens ….🤔
 
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Another vote for the D500, if you can find one at a price you are willing to pay. If you can’t find it, the D7500 is a good camera. I have not owned it, but have friends who shoot it and like it.

I’ve used the D7100, D7200, D500, D810 and D850, and now also Z mirrorless. I think the D500 is the best of the DX cameras, especially if you want to photograph BIF and other fast action (particularly because of its AF, frame rate and buffer). I think it is also better for BIF and action than the D810. (Of course, the D810 has some advantages for other types of photography, for example, landscape.) If you want a full frame, higher resolution camera, I’d go for the D850 rather than the D810. It’s pretty close to a D500 in performance (although only 7 fps, unless you add a grip for 9 fps, compared to the 10 fps of the D500) and offers a roughly equivalent DX crop (whether in camera or in post) and higher resolution for other work. But, of course, it is more expensive than a D810.

Good luck with your choice. All the options you are considering are good cameras.
 
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I thank you all for the responses. The majority seem to think it would be best to get a D500. I have been leaning that way, in spite of the extra cost vs the D7500. But I have to admit (based on a couple of hours of in-hand usage) the D7500 is a nice camera, even if its performance doesn’t quite match that of the D500 (which I have never used).

I do appreciate the suggestions to buy from online retailers. But I prefer to support bricks-and-mortar retailers as much as possible, and there is one in town that I have been going to for over thirty years. I have bought a fair amount of gear from them over the years, and I would like to see them remain open. I use online retailers mostly when I need an item that local retailers don’t carry. Also, I live in Canada. Nikon’s rigid policies about not repairing or servicing cameras from other countries makes me nervous about buying a D500 from an online US retailer and importing it into Canada.

I think I will wait and save up for a D500.
 
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No need to look outside of Canada to buy this camera online. Henry's, Vistek are just 2 of many reputable (Nikon) dealers. Go the Nikon Canada, find the camera and click on "Buy Now" button to see a list of dealers in your region.
 
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Craig Yuill said:
I have been photographing birds for over 20 years, going back to the film era. I have been using a D7000 and Nikon V1 and V2 bodies for several years. My main birding lens these days is the Sigma 100-400. My son has essentially taken possession of my D7000, and I need a replacement. My V1 and V2 bodies work well for birds that are more or less static, but not so well with birds in motion. My D7000 is definitely better for birds in motion, but doesn’t exactly have the speediest AF.

I have used a D7500 with my Sigma 100-400 before. Good combo. The price is more in line with what I would like to pay. And both new and used copies are relatively easy to come across where I live.

But I have also been advised to consider the D500, especially given it’s best-in-class AF. The price, however, gives me pause. Also, it is more difficult to find in my area, either new or used.

Is the D500 that much better than the D7500 to warrant the significantly greater cost? Is the D7500’s performance so much less than the D500’s that I should just forget it?

(FWIW, I have also considered used D810 bodies that are currently available used, and produce images of around 16MP when used in crop mode, just like my D7000 does.)
Click to expand...

I liked the D7500 when I owned it but the D500 is better in almost every respect. If your budget is limited, you can still take good photos with the D7500.
Here are some I took with a D7500 and Sigma 150-600 C:

Kestrel in Richmond Park, London

Red grouse in Scotland

Little egret in EVOA Portugal

Little Egret in Vale da Lama, Portugal
 
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I started with the D7500 and then acquired a D500. Still have the D7500 as a backup. The D500 offers better AF, as well as customization. The D7500 is a good camera and can give you great images. You ask if the D500 is worth the greater cost, over the D7500. That really depends on your budget and what you are comfortable with. But if you can swing the D500, then do it. You won’t be disappointed.
 
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If money is no issue, then definitely D500.
But you won't go wrong with the D7500. I have it since it was launched, together with the 200-500 or 300 PC+TC combo and never had issues with AF (I however seldom do BIF).
Even after purchasing the D850, I still favor the D7500 for Wildlife, mainly for reduced weight and compactness and Crop factor (1.5 more reach).
 
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I can tell you from experience I have the D500 and love it you can't go wrong with it I do all kinds of photography mostly in the field doing wildlife in all conditions it's never let me down. I also have used the D7500 a friend of mine has she got it to replace her D5200 the layout is similar to D500. So having used both I can tell you that the D7500 has only an SD card slot while the D500 has 2 slots an SD and XQD card slot I got the software update on my D500 so now I can use the new very fast CF Xpress cards I can shoot 10 frames a second and not worry about buffer slowing down . Right now you can get a used one at MPB camera good people to deal with I have bought a SB910 flash from them and a couple lens they have 20 used D500s listed right now I just checked .
The price range from excellent condition for $1199 to good condition $1079 check them out hope this helps
 
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I own d500 and d7500. I originally bought the d7500 to teach a lady friend while I shot with d500. I don't call the d7500 a backup camera. It's my second camera. When I go to rodeos and shoot in the field I don't want to change lenses. I will put the lens I plan on using primarily on the d500 and the one I think I might need occasionally on the d7500 and I can't complain. There's been times that I made a mistake on the size of the arena and I ended up shooting with the d7500 most of the time because it had the lens I needed on it. It's obviously got some limitations as compared to the d500 but I have no regrets having it as my second camera. It gets a lot more use than I thought it would. Eventually I plan on getting a d850. I'm happy with what I get for my DSLR. I'm not a professional. I don't even sell images. At my age I probably won't begin to. I have a vertical grip for my d500 but I haven't used it in close to a year. Eight frames per second will handle large birds in flight, the rodeos that I shoot, and some of the off-road Motorsports that I shoot. It would be nice to have a second card slot on the d7500 or a faster card slot in general but I make it work. In most photos, side by side, you can't tell which camera took the photos unless it's in lower light, by the lens that was used,or Burst mode. If you have the money it would be nice to get a d500 but the d7500 is plenty capable. You can always use it as a backup or second camera later.
 
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