Nikon D3 vs Nikon D500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D3 and Nikon D500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D3

Nikon D500

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D3 were released 2007 and Nikon D500 was released 2016. That is a 9 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon D3	2007
Nikon D500	2016

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D3 has a "Nikon FX"-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 **
Nikon D3	50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D3 has a 12,1 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
Nikon D3	12,1 MP 12052992 pixels 4256 x 2832
Nikon D500	21 MP 20668416 pixels 5568 x 3712

Nikon D500 has a 71 % larger resolution than Nikon D3. 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 D3. Nikon D500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D3 has 200 to 25600.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D3	200-25600
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 Nikon D3
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. Nikon D3 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds and Nikon D500 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D3	9
Nikon D500	10

Ability to record movies

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

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D500. Sadly, the Nikon D3 does not support this.

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 D3 weighs 1300 gr (equal to 2.87 lb) which is 51% heavier than Nikon D500 and its 860 gr (or 1.9 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D3	1300 gr 2.87 lb
Nikon D500	860 gr 1.9 lb