Sony a7S vs Nikon D500
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7S and Nikon D500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a7S is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D500 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a7S were released 2014 and Nikon D500 was released 2016. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a7S | 2014 |
Nikon D500 | 2016 |
Type of camera
Sony a7S 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. Sony a7S has a "Sony Full Frame"-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 ** |
Sony a7S | 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 (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)
Resolution
Sony a7S has a 12 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 |
Sony a7S |
12 MP
12007680 pixels 4240 x 2832 |
Nikon D500 |
21 MP
20668416 pixels 5568 x 3712 |
Nikon D500 has a 72 % larger resolution than Sony a7S. 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
Sony a7S has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D500. Sony a7S has an ISO range that stretches from 10 to 102400 while Nikon D500 has 100 to 51200.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a7S | 10-102400 |
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 Sony a7S
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. Sony a7S can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D500 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a7S | 5 |
Nikon D500 | 10 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a7S 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 76% heavier than Sony a7S and its 489 gr (or 1.08 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a7S | 489 gr 1.08 lb |
Nikon D500 | 860 gr 1.9 lb |
Sony a7S vs Nikon D500 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7S 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 |
Sony a7S |
Nikon D500 |
Name | Sony a7S | Nikon D500 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a7S |
Nikon D500 |
Release Year | 2014 | 2016 |
Release Date | 2014-04-06 | 2016-01-05 |
MSRP | 2499 USD | 1999 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a7S |
Nikon D500 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a7S |
Nikon D500 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 4240 x 2832 pixels | 5568 x 3712 pixels |
Megapixels | 12 MP | 21 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz X | EXPEED 5 |
Image |
Sony a7S |
Nikon D500 |
ISO Range | 10 - 102400 | 100 - 51200 |
White Balance Presets | 10 | 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 |
Sony a7S |
Nikon D500 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 25 | 153 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
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 |
Sony a7S |
Nikon D500 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3.2” |
Screen dots | 921000 | 2359000 |
Touch screen | No | Yes |
Screen type | TFT-LCD | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.71x | 1× (0.67× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | 0 |
Photography features |
Sony a7S |
Nikon D500 |
Frames per second | 5 fps | 10 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 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 | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center 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 steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a7S |
Nikon D500 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 XAVC-S AVCHD |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
|
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a7S |
Nikon D500 |
Memory Card |
SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC XQD |
Connectivity |
Sony a7S |
Nikon D500 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Headphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (with NFC and wireless control via smartphone) |
Yes Built-in (Wi-Fi with low energy Bluetooth) |
Remote Control | Yes (Wired) | Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) |
GPS | No |
Yes Optional with GP-1 |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a7S |
Nikon D500 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 380 shots | 1240 shots |
Width | 127 mm | 147 mm |
Height | 94 mm | 115 mm |
Depth | 48 mm | 81 mm |
Weight | 489 gram | 860 gram |