Nikon
D500
APS-C sports DSLR flagship with 10fps, 153-point AF, and pro build.
$1,999
Released Jan 2016
Nikon
ZR
Compact Nikon RED full-frame 6K cinema camera with R3D NE RAW, 32-bit float audio, 7.5-stop VR, and Z mount.
$2,199
Released Sep 2025
ZR is 9.7 years newer.
Wins
D500
Wins
ZR
3 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD500 has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZR has higher IBIS effectiveness (7.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZR has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 10 fps)
- BZR has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BZR has lower Weight (630 g vs 760 g)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
D500
147 × 115 × 81 mm
760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
ZR
134 × 81 × 49 mm
630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)
D500 is 13mm wider, 35mm taller, and 32mm thicker than ZR.
D500 is 130 g heavier than ZR.
Depth (front-to-back): 81mm D500 · 49mm ZR
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D500
147 × 115 mm
ZR
134 × 81 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D500
147 × 81 mm
ZR
134 × 49 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D500
23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
369 mm² area
ZR
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
ZR
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/AVC
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 147, 115, 81
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
Reasons to choose
ZR
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds R3D NE, N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ…
IBIS effectiveness
7.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 80.5, 49
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B, MicroSD UHS-I
AA filter
Only ZR supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 51,200
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
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
ZR
Pros
- ✓6K/60p R3D NE RAW
- ✓32-bit float audio
- ✓7.5-stop stabilization
- ✓Compact 535g cinema body
Cons
- –No built-in EVF
- –Cinema-first ergonomics
- –Single CFexpress plus MicroSD workflow
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, D500 or ZR?
ZR scores 9.0/10 versus 3.0/10 for D500 — 6K video for oversampled 4K.
What's the resolution difference between the D500 and ZR?
D500 is 20.9 MP and ZR is 24.5 MP, so the ZR captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D500 and ZR have in-body image stabilization?
D500 does not have IBIS, while zR has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D500 or the ZR?
D500 reaches 10 fps electronic. ZR reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D500 and ZR?
D500 weighs 760 g and ZR weighs 630 g, so the ZR is 130 g lighter.
Do the D500 and ZR record 4K video?
D500: 4K up to 30p. ZR: 6K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D500 and ZR weather sealed?
D500: Yes. ZR: Yes.
How much does each cost?
D500 launched at $1,999 and ZR at $2,199. The D500 is $200 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.