Top 5: Hands-on with Nikon D500
 |
CES 2016 has turned into a big event for Nikon thanks to the release of the company’s new D500 and D5 DSLRs. We were able to get some hands-on time with both cameras, and it’s fair to say that we’re impressed with what we’ve seen so far.
Fans of Nikon’s performance-oriented APS-C cameras have been imploring the company for years to release an update to the well regarded D300s. (OK, maybe ‘imploring’ is the wrong word – shouting, demanding, and even begging may be more accurate.) The wait is finally over, and Nikon has come through with the long anticipated D500, a camera sure to appeal to those who have waited so long.
Standout features include a 20.9MP APS-C (DX) sensor, a significantly overhauled autofocus system, 10 fps shooting, and 4K/UHD video recording.
Top 5: Hands-on with Nikon D500
 |
One of the obvious questions many have asked is ‘What happened to the D400?’ Nikon tells us that since this camera shares much of the same underlying technology and performance characteristics with the D5 that it made more sense to align the names of the two cameras as well. Bad news: if you’ve been waiting for the D400 it looks like you’re not going to get it. Good news: you can get a D500 instead.
As you would expect, the D500 feels very solid in your hands and there’s no doubt this camera is intended to be a workhorse. The top and rear of the camera are magnesium alloy, while the front is made of carbon fiber. Nikon claims it has the same level of weather sealing as the D810.
Video shooters will be excited to learn that the camera shoots 4K/UHD (3840×2160) video at up to 30p internally. Additionally, it can output uncompressed video over HDMI (we’re still waiting for confirmation of the bitrate) and it’s even possible to do both simultaneously should you require it. To keep your shots steady, the camera includes 3-axis (horizontal, vertical, rotation) electronic VR in video that should work with any lens, but that particularly benefits when combined with optical VR in certain Nikkor lenses to yield incredibly stabilized video footage – with X, Y, roll, pan and tilt corrections in total. These 5-axes of stabilization we tend to see more in competitive mirrorless offerings, such as in the E-M5 II, or with the slew of 1″-type compacts we saw recently from Sony and Canon. So it’s encouraging to see in a more dated form factor like the DSLR. We haven’t yet had a chance to test this last feature in person but it’s definitely on our to-do list as soon as we get a chance.
In addition to the HDMI port for uncompressed video out, there are also microphone and headphone jacks as well as a USB 3.0 connection.
Top 5: Hands-on with Nikon D500
 |
The bright viewfinder provides 100% coverage at 1.0x magnification and is a good match for the new 153-point AF system. In fact, it’s the same AF system that you’ll find on the D5. Since the AF system was developed for a full frame camera it provides coverage that extends almost to the edges of the frame. Of those 153 AF points, 99 are cross-type for enhanced precision.
Another feature Nikon added to the camera (which we really want to test when we get hold of a production sample) is ‘Auto AF Fine-Tune.’ It’s designed to use the live-view image on the sensor to auto calibrate the phase detect autofocus system for any particular lens. We’ve been looking forward to this type of feature for years since in theory should greatly ease the process of micro-adjusting lenses.
Top 5: Hands-on with Nikon D500
 |
The D500 gives you much, though not all, of the performance of the D5 in a smaller, crop-sensor body. For example, it can shoot 10 fps with a 200 shot raw buffer. To do this it utilizes the same EXPEED 5 image processing engine as the D5. In our hands-on test we were impressed with continuous shooting. Even the sound of the shutter firing at 10 fps is somehow satisfying, and that 200 shot raw buffer is… awesome.
Top 5: Hands-on with Nikon D500
 |
The D500 includes dual card slots, including one XQD and one SD card slot. If you want to get the maximum performance out of the camera you’ll want to use XQD cards, which have higher write speeds (and come at a higher cost).
To get photos off the camera you can, of course, copy files from the card(s). However, the D500 also includes Nikon’s new SnapBridge technology that utilizes a bluetooth connection between the camera and a smart device, such as a mobile phone. Once paired, SnapBridge provides an ‘always on’ connection to the camera and supports features such as automatic upload of images and the ability to embed GPS data from a phone into EXIF data. Also, thanks to NFC it’s possible to perform ‘tap to connect’ procedure to pair a device. This is similar to the system Samsung has implemented on recent NX cameras and we’re looking forward to using SnapBridge on the Nikons.
Top 5: Hands-on with Nikon D500
 |
The rear control layout should feel very familiar to Nikon users – there aren’t a lot of surprises here. The 3.2 inch touch screen is very bright and works well. We had no problem using it even under the bright, glaring lights of convention center booths and demo areas.
Top 5: Hands-on with Nikon D500
 |
Similar to the rear control layout, the top plate should feel familiar to high-end Nikon users.
The D500 also includes a built-in time-lapse feature. The camera can create 4K time-lapse sequences in-camera, and can utilize auto-ISO to create smooth transitions during capture.
Top 5: Hands-on with Nikon D500
 |
MB-D17 battery
The D500 is powered by Nikon’s EN-EL15 battery, the same one used on many other Nikon models including the D750, D810, and D7200. We’re always happy to see this type of consistency across models as we hate having to carry a bag full of mismatched batteries around with us.
On the D500 this battery can power the camera through 1240 shots according to CIPA standards. In addition to the internal battery, Nikon has also produced a grip. The MB-D17 battery/grip provides an extra battery and duplicated controls for vertical shooting.
Top 5: Hands-on with Nikon D500
 |
The 3.2 inch, 2.4 million dot rear touch screen extends from the body and flips up and down – a great feature for getting those low to the ground or overhead shots. It’s both bright and sharp.
Top 5: Hands-on with Nikon D500
 |
Unlike the D300s, the D500 does not feature a built-in flash, making it one of the few features to disappear from the D500’s feature set, compared to its nominal predecessor. While we’re disappointed to see the flash omitted, Nikon assures us that they’ve made the change in order to achieve the maximum level of durability and weather sealing. Of course, the D500 is compatible with Nikon Speedlights, including the newest radio controllable flash, the SB-5000.
Overall, we’re very impressed with what we’ve seen in the D500. It may have been a long wait for those wanting to upgrade from the D300s, but we think the wait was worth it. This is a camera that has the technical chops and rugged build that should provide top-notch performance and stand up to almost anything you can throw at it. It’s also a great companion body for those who use a D4s – or maybe even a new D5 – for times when small size or long telephoto reach is critical.
The D500 is scheduled to ship in March and will be available for $ 1999.95 body only or $ 3069.95 with Nikon’s 16-80mm F2.8E ED VR lens.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)