Nikon
D500
APS-C sports DSLR flagship with 10fps, 153-point AF, and pro build.
$1,999
Launch priceReleased Jan 2016
Nikon
Z8
Z9 internals in a compact body — 45.7MP stacked sensor, 8K 60p, no blackout burst.
$3,999
Launch priceReleased May 2023
Z8 is 7.3 years newer.
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Wins
D500
Wins
Z8
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD500 has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ8 has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZ8 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 10 fps)
- BZ8 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 200 frames)
- BZ8 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 29.97 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
Z8
144 × 119 × 83 mm
820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)
D500 is 4mm shorter and 2mm thinner than Z8 but it is also 3mm wider.
D500 is 40 g heavier than Z8.
Depth (front-to-back): 81mm D500 · 83mm Z8
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D500
147 × 115 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z8
144 × 119 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
Z8
144 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D500
23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
369 mm² area
Z8
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
Z8
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
Codecs
Adds H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 147, 115, 81
Card types
Adds SD, CFexpress Type B, XQD
Battery life (CIPA)
1240 shots vs 340 shots — higher is better
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
EVF magnification
1 × vs 0.8 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z8
AF low-light limit
-9 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
IBIS effectiveness
6 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 118.5, 83
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD, SD UHS-II
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 200 frames — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
- ✓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
Z8
Pros
- ✓45.7MP stacked CMOS from Z9 — class-leading
- ✓8K 60p N-RAW internal
- ✓No mechanical shutter wear — fully electronic
- ✓20fps at full 45.7MP resolution
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 340 CIPA shots
- –No built-in grip (unlike Z9)
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D500 and Z8 at major authorized retailers.
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, D500 or Z8?
Z8 scores 9.5/10 versus 1.0/10 for D500 — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the D500 and Z8?
D500 is 20.9 MP and Z8 is 45.7 MP, so the Z8 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D500 and Z8 have in-body image stabilization?
D500 does not have IBIS, while Z8 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D500 or the Z8?
D500 reaches 10 fps electronic. Z8 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D500 and Z8?
D500 weighs 860 g and Z8 weighs 820 g, so the Z8 is 40 g lighter.
Do the D500 and Z8 record 4K video?
D500: 4K up to 29.97p. Z8: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D500 and Z8 weather sealed?
D500: Yes. Z8: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 1,240 shots (CIPA) for the D500 and 340 shots for the Z8, giving the D500 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D500 launched at $1,999 and Z8 at $3,999. The D500 is $2,000 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D500 vs Z8 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.