Nikon D500 vs Nikon D800

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D500 and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Nikon D500

Nikon D800

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D500 were released 2016 and Nikon D800 was released 2012. 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 D800	2012

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 D800 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 D800	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

Nikon D500 has a 21 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D800 has 36,3 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 D800	36,3 MP 36152320 pixels 7360 x 4912

Nikon D800 has a 75 % larger resolution than Nikon D500. 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 D800. Nikon D500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D800 has 100 to 25600.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon D500	100-51200
Nikon D800	100-25600

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 D800

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 D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D500	10
Nikon D800	6

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 D800 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 D800 weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 5% heavier than Nikon D500 and its 860 gr (or 1.9 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon D500	860 gr 1.9 lb
Nikon D800	900 gr 1.98 lb