Nikon D500 vs Nikon D6

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D500 and Nikon D6. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D500 were released 2016 and Nikon D6 was released 2020. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D500 2016
Nikon D6 2020

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D500 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor while Nikon D6 has a "Nikon FX"-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 D500 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D6 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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

Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Nikon D500 has a 21 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D6 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D500 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712
Nikon D6 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712

ISO range

Nikon D6 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D500. Nikon D6 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Nikon D500 has 100 to 51200.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D500 100-51200
Nikon D6 100-102400

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 D500
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D6

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D500 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon D6 can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D500 10
Nikon D6 14

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon D500 and Nikon D6 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 D6 weighs 1270 gr (equal to 2.8 lb) which is 48% heavier than Nikon D500 and its 860 gr (or 1.9 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D500 860 gr
1.9 lb
Nikon D6 1270 gr
2.8 lb

Nikon D500 vs Nikon D6 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D500 and Nikon D6, 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
Nikon D500
Nikon D6
Name Nikon D500 Nikon D6
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D500
Nikon D6
Release Year 2016 2020
Release Date 2016-01-05 2019-09-04
MSRP 1999 USD 6499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D500
Nikon D6
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Nikon D500
Nikon D6
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5568 x 3712 pixels 5568 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 21 MP 21 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 5 EXPEED 6
Image
Nikon D500
Nikon D6
ISO Range 100 - 51200 100 - 102400
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW + TIFF RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D500
Nikon D6
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 153 105
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D500
Nikon D6
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 2359000 2359000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1× (0.67× 35mm equiv.) 0.72x
Viewfinder Resolution 0 0
Photography features
Nikon D500
Nikon D6
Frames per second 10 fps 14 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 900 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D500
Nikon D6
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D500
Nikon D6
Memory Card SD/SDHC
XQD
Compact Flash Express
XQD
Connectivity
Nikon D500
Nikon D6
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (Wi-Fi with low energy Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) Yes (Wired or smartphone)
GPS Yes
Optional with GP-1
Yes
Built-in
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D500
Nikon D6
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL18c lithium-ion battery & charager
Battery Life (CIPA) 1240 shots 3580 shots
Width 147 mm 160 mm
Height 115 mm 163 mm
Depth 81 mm 92 mm
Weight 860 gram 1270 gram