Nikon
D500
APS-C sports DSLR flagship with 10fps, 153-point AF, and pro build.
$1,999
Launch priceReleased Jan 2016
Nikon
Zf
Retro-styled 24.5MP full-frame mirrorless with classic dials, EXPEED 7 AF, 8-stop IBIS, and 4K 60p video.
$2,049
Launch priceReleased Sep 2023
Zf is 7.7 years newer.
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Wins
D500
Wins
Zf
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZf has higher IBIS effectiveness (8 stops vs 0 stops)
- AD500 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (1240 shots vs 380 shots)
- BZf has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 10 fps)
- BZf has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 29.97 fps)
- BZf 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
Zf
144 × 103 × 49 mm
710 g (1.57 lb / 25.04 oz)
D500 is 3mm wider, 12mm taller, and 32mm thicker than Zf.
D500 is 150 g heavier than Zf.
Depth (front-to-back): 81mm D500 · 49mm Zf
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D500
147 × 115 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Zf
144 × 103 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
Zf
144 × 49 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D500
23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
369 mm² area
Zf
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
Zf
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
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 380 shots — higher is better
EVF magnification
1 × vs 0.8 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Zf
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds H.265/HEVC 8-bit, H.265/HEVC 10-bit, H.264/AVC 8-bit
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 103, 49
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II, MicroSD UHS-I
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 29.97 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
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
Zf
Pros
- ✓Beautiful retro design
- ✓273-point hybrid AF
- ✓8-stop IBIS
- ✓Fully articulated touchscreen
Cons
- –No grip extension standard
- –Mixed SD + MicroSD card slots
- –24.5MP only
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D500 and Zf at major authorized retailers.
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, D500 or Zf?
Zf scores 9.5/10 versus 3.5/10 for D500 — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the D500 and Zf?
D500 is 20.9 MP and Zf is 24.5 MP, so the Zf captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D500 and Zf have in-body image stabilization?
D500 does not have IBIS, while Zf has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D500 or the Zf?
D500 reaches 10 fps electronic. Zf reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D500 and Zf?
D500 weighs 860 g and Zf weighs 710 g, so the Zf is 150 g lighter.
Do the D500 and Zf record 4K video?
D500: 4K up to 29.97p. Zf: 4K up to 60p.
Are the D500 and Zf weather sealed?
D500: Yes. Zf: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 1,240 shots (CIPA) for the D500 and 380 shots for the Zf, giving the D500 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D500 launched at $1,999 and Zf at $2,049. The D500 is $50 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D500 vs Zf vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.