Nikon D6 vs Nikon D500

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

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Nikon D6 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.

** 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 D6 has a 21 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D500 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

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.

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 D6
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 D6 can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds and Nikon D500 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.

Ability to record movies

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

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

Nikon D6 vs Nikon D500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D6 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	Nikon D6	Nikon D500
Name	Nikon D6	Nikon D500
Manufacturer	Nikon	Nikon
Release Date and Price	Nikon D6	Nikon D500
Release Year	2020	2016
Release Date	2019-09-04	2016-01-05
MSRP	6499 USD	1999 USD
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Camera Type	Nikon D6	Nikon D500
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Nikon D6	Nikon D500
Sensor Size	Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX"	APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	5568 x 3712 pixels	5568 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels	21 MP	21 MP
Image Processor	EXPEED 6	EXPEED 5
Image	Nikon D6	Nikon D500
ISO Range	100 - 102400	100 - 51200
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	RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus	Nikon D6	Nikon D500
Autofocus Motor	Yes	Yes
Autofocus	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView
Focus Points	105	153
Lens Mount	Nikon F See Compatible Lenses	Nikon F See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier	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	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	Nikon D6	Nikon D500
Articulated LCD	Fixed	Tilting
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	0.72x	1× (0.67× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution	0	0
Photography features	Nikon D6	Nikon D500
Frames per second	14 fps	10 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	900 seconds	30 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, 1 EV steps)	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features	Nikon D6	Nikon D500
Video recording	Yes	Yes
Video format	MPEG4 H.264	MPEG4 H.264
Video resolution	1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160	1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone	Yes	Yes
Built-in Speakers	Yes	Yes
Storage	Nikon D6	Nikon D500
Memory Card	Compact Flash Express XQD	SD/SDHC XQD
Connectivity	Nikon D6	Nikon D500
HDMI Output	Yes	Yes
Microphone Port	Yes	Yes
Headphone Port	Yes	Yes
Wireless	Yes Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)	Yes Built-in (Wi-Fi with low energy Bluetooth)
Remote Control	Yes (Wired or smartphone)	Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS	Yes Built-in	Yes Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions	Nikon D6	Nikon D500
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	EN-EL18c lithium-ion battery & charager	Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	3580 shots	1240 shots
Width	160 mm	147 mm
Height	163 mm	115 mm
Depth	92 mm	81 mm
Weight	1270 gram	860 gram