Nikon
D500
APS-C sports DSLR flagship with 10fps, 153-point AF, and pro build.
$1,999
Launch priceReleased Jan 2016
Nikon
Z5 IIC
Screen-first, viewfinder-free full-frame Z mount body: 24.5MP BSI sensor, EXPEED 7 AF with fish detection, 7.5-stop IBIS, 15 Scene Modes, and N-RAW video.
$1,399
Launch priceReleased Oct 2026
Z5 IIC is 10.8 years newer.
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Wins
D500
Wins
Z5 IIC
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD500 has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ5 IIC has higher IBIS effectiveness (7.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- AD500 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (1240 shots vs 350 shots)
- BZ5 IIC has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 10 fps)
- BZ5 IIC has higher 1080p max frame rate (120 fps vs 59.94 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
D500
147 × 115 × 81 mm
860 g (1.90 lb / 30.34 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 × 72 mm
620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)
D500 is 13mm wider, 34mm taller, and 9mm thicker than Z5 IIC.
D500 is 240 g heavier than Z5 IIC.
Depth (front-to-back): 81mm D500 · 72mm Z5 IIC
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D500
147 × 115 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D500
147 × 81 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z5 IIC
134 × 72 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D500
23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
369 mm² area
Z5 IIC
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D500
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z5 IIC
Nikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
D500
Burst (mechanical)
10 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 147, 115, 81
Battery life (CIPA)
1240 shots vs 350 shots — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B, XQD
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z5 IIC
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
IBIS effectiveness
7.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 80.7, 72
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Card types
Adds SDHC, SDXC
1080p max frame rate
120 fps vs 59.94 fps — higher is better
AA filter
Only Z5 IIC supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
- ✓Microphone jack (3.5mm) — Both support microphone jack (3.5mm)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D500
Pros
- ✓10fps APS-C
- ✓Pro sports AF
- ✓Weather sealed
- ✓Great buffer
Cons
- –DSLR
- –APS-C
- –No IBIS
Z5 IIC
Pros
- ✓Lightest full-frame Z body (620g)
- ✓15 Scene Modes — first on a Nikon FX mirrorless
- ✓EXPEED 7 AF, 10 subject types incl. fish
- ✓7.5-stop IBIS + Focus Point VR
- ✓N-RAW internal recording, UVC/UAC webcam
Cons
- –No built-in EVF — rear screen only
- –Single SD UHS-II slot
- –No mechanical shutter
- –4K 60p is DX (APS-C) crop only
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D500 and Z5 IIC at major authorized retailers.
Nikon D500
Nikon Z5 IIC
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, D500 or Z5 IIC?
Z5 IIC scores 9.0/10 versus 3.5/10 for D500 — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the D500 and Z5 IIC?
D500 is 20.9 MP and Z5 IIC is 24.5 MP, so the Z5 IIC captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D500 and Z5 IIC have in-body image stabilization?
D500 does not have IBIS, while Z5 IIC has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D500 or the Z5 IIC?
D500 reaches 10 fps electronic. Z5 IIC reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D500 and Z5 IIC?
D500 weighs 860 g and Z5 IIC weighs 620 g, so the Z5 IIC is 240 g lighter.
Do the D500 and Z5 IIC record 4K video?
D500: 4K up to 29.97p. Z5 IIC: 4K up to 59.94p.
Are the D500 and Z5 IIC weather sealed?
D500: Yes. Z5 IIC: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 1,240 shots (CIPA) for the D500 and 350 shots for the Z5 IIC, giving the D500 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D500 launched at $1,999 and Z5 IIC at $1,399. The Z5 IIC is $600 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D500 vs Z5 IIC vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed September 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.