Fujifilm X-A1 vs Nikon D500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm X-A1 and Nikon D500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm X-A1 is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Nikon D500 is from Nikon. Both Fujifilm and Nikon are well known brands though.

Fujifilm X-A1 were released 2013 and Nikon D500 was released 2016. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Fujifilm X-A1 2013
Nikon D500 2016

Type of camera

Fujifilm X-A1 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. Fujifilm X-A1 has a "Fujifilm APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D500 has a "Nikon DX"-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 **
Fujifilm X-A1 75 mm
Fujifilm sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D500 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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:

Resolution

Fujifilm X-A1 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D500 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Fujifilm X-A1 16 MP
15980544 pixels
4896 x 3264
Nikon D500 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712

Nikon D500 has a 29 % larger resolution than Fujifilm X-A1. 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 Fujifilm X-A1. Nikon D500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Fujifilm X-A1 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Fujifilm X-A1 200-6400
Nikon D500 100-51200

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 Fujifilm X-A1
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. Fujifilm X-A1 can shoot up to 5,6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D500 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Fujifilm X-A1 5,6
Nikon D500 10

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Fujifilm X-A1 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 161% heavier than Fujifilm X-A1 and its 330 gr (or 0.73 lb).

Camera Weight
Fujifilm X-A1 330 gr
0.73 lb
Nikon D500 860 gr
1.9 lb

Fujifilm X-A1 vs Nikon D500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm X-A1 and Nikon D500, 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
Fujifilm X-A1
Nikon D500
Name Fujifilm X-A1 Nikon D500
Manufacturer Fujifilm Nikon
Release Date and Price
Fujifilm X-A1
Nikon D500
Release Year 2013 2016
Release Date 2013-09-17 2016-01-05
MSRP 599 USD 1999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Fujifilm X-A1
Nikon D500
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Fujifilm X-A1
Nikon D500
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4896 x 3264 pixels 5568 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 21 MP
Image Processor EXR Processor II EXPEED 5
Image
Fujifilm X-A1
Nikon D500
ISO Range 200 - 6400 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 7 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Fujifilm X-A1
Nikon D500
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 49 153
Lens Mount Fujifilm X

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (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
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
Screen & Viewfinder
Fujifilm X-A1
Nikon D500
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 920000 2359000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1× (0.67× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Fujifilm X-A1
Nikon D500
Frames per second 5,6 fps 10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 7 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Fujifilm X-A1
Nikon D500
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Fujifilm X-A1
Nikon D500
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Fujifilm X-A1
Nikon D500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (Geotagging setup, Image transfer (Individual image / Selected multiple images), View & Obt
Yes
Built-in (Wi-Fi with low energy Bluetooth)
Remote Control Optional through RR-90 (sold separately)
Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Fujifilm X-A1
Nikon D500
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-W126 battery and BC-W126 charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 350 shots 1240 shots
Width 117 mm 147 mm
Height 67 mm 115 mm
Depth 39 mm 81 mm
Weight 330 gram 860 gram