jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The D500 has been discontinued, if that matters to you. The D5xxx line is on the way out, too. The D7500 would be a good alternative. Where cameras are concerned, if you can afford it, it's not overkill.

Look at the camera videos from CreativeLive.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

Staying with Nikon crop. D500 all day everyday.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

I did not know this. What did they replace the D500 with and or why did they discontinue the D500.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Again you are giving out fake news. This is not the first time you have posted this. Please tell me where on the Nikon web site you get your information about the D500 being discontinued. PLEASE STOP POSTING FALSE INFORMATION. You are doing everyone here a dis service.

BJW

I’ve used a D500 for 3 full high school ice hockey seasons now. I use it with a70-200 mm lens. No flash. Yes, it is heavy, carrying it to the games. I’ve tried out several smaller, lighter mirrorless alternatives, renting them for a week or two. Here’s what I have found:
1. The most weight is the lens, not the camera.
2. The ergonomics of the mirrorless cameras are not as comfortable as the D500.
3. Battery life of the mirrorless cameras is not as long as the D500.
4. Low light performance of the D500 is better than the mirrorless cameras.
5. There is better documentation—“how to” publications for the D500, e.g., Scott Perry’s Secrets of the Auto Focus System, than for mirrorless.
6. My search for a suitable, lighter action camera to replace my D500 has ended. Thus far, I have not found a finer camera for sports and action photography. It’s pretty darn good for all around use too, but I enjoy traveling light.

Of course another advantage for you would be all the DX lenses you already have which would be compatible with the D500.

While nothing is forever, if you expect this to be your last camera, a D500 is a keeper that will outlast a lot of us.

Go for it!

BJW

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

Thank you. I simply could not believe they would do that.

Nikon1201

Look at KEH Adorama for a good excellent plus camera , I now have a D610 but my D7100 have me everything I needed . In my opinion don’t by new .

ppkwhat Loc: Gibsonton, FL

Iceman. The D-500 is not a "overkill". If you plan to have it as your "last camera" (or, until the next GAS attack), by using it and improving your photography knowledge by taking advantage of the camera's features, not only you will "grow" into loving one of the best cameras Nikon ever made, and you will also enjoy it. Go for it my friend!

wetreed

I was in the exact same situation that you are in, I loved my D5300, but I knew I wanted to upgrade. I decided to go with the D500. My reasoning was in the Dx format there are no upgrades after the D500. It’s only been 5 weeks, but I could not be happier with my decision. I still have a lot to learn on the D500. I know the camera does not take the pictures, but, I really feel this camera has made me a much better photographer. I really love this camera. I also really like the lens that comes with the kit. You cannot go wrong with the D500. I fell if I got the 7200 or7500, I would always wonder if I should have gotten D500. I’m just saying.

wetreed

The 5600 is the exact camera as the 5300. The only difference is the 5600 has a touch screen.

AzShooter1 Loc: Surprise, Az.

Sometimes the bells and whistle are playing a real nice toon to listen to but the band is just too large to get around with. I still shoot my D800 and am happy because I don't shoot sporting events, mostly family shoots and parties with a little landscaping. I have not needed to upgrade even though I like the features of the newer cameras.

If you really want it, buy the newest camera with all the necessities you want. Don't just spend money to impress someone else by saying "look what I have." I have the 800 and an older D300 for nocking around. I do like the pixel rate on the 800 and haven't outgrown it. The 500 is incredible and will let your enlargements come out even better.

Carnpo Loc: North Carolina

I have a D500. Upgrade from D300. Focus system is great. Take youth sports photos with it. Low light performance is great. I use the battery grip. Sometimes I just want to kiss it.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

Kiss away. LOL

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I've had about 5 "last cameras"

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I've read each of the replies here. A few of them provide good information and advice. I have been privileged to own several Nikon DSLRs since starting out with a D200 in 2007. The D500 is the most current member of the family originated with the D100 and followed by the D200, D300, D300s, and finally the D500. I delayed getting a D500 for about two years, based on some misconceptions of my own and some really bad advice that I watched being given to others about the D500 on this forum. Now, I truly regret that delay, and have learned never to select or reject a camera based on the comments and even well-meaning advice of others. (And yes, that has to also include any advice from me, so I'll not give you any, but I will tell you about the D500.)

First and foremost, the D500 is absolutely not just a sports and wildlife camera. I have no idea where that empty-headed notion came from, but it is simply not true. I shoot neither of those formats, but I still make really good use of my D500. It will do things for me that no other camera I have owned (except for the D850) will do. And its "professional" user interface system stands miles above that of the consumer grade cameras (and for this discussion, that includes the D750 as well). Once you have the camera set up, you will find that it is almost necessary to access the menu system while you are in the field (or studio). Almost any adjustment you would care to make can be accomplished directly and immediately through use of the buttons, switches, and dials on the camera body.

Sensor density is almost exactly the same as that of the D850. That means that it can make the best use of any of the premium lenses that you might want to use with it. But it will also make every lens you already own at least a little bit better.

There have been comments in other threads finding fault with the low light/high ISO performance of the D500. As far as I can see, those problems must arise from user error or some other external problem. I routinely shoot at ISO 6400 for night photos, and occasionally at 12800 or higher with really good results.

My primary DX lens has for a number of years been the 17-55mm F2.8 G zoom. This is a true Gold Ring lens that is built like a tank and works as well today as when I bought it more than 10 years ago. I still use it, because it meshes perfectly alongside the 14-24mm and 70-200mm zooms used on my full frame cameras. That said, I've lately been supplementing it with a used 24-120mm f4 G VR lens that I picked up recently for about $400. This is a gold ring full frame lens that gets mixed reviews here, but it works great on a DX camera, and is a little bit less to carry around in difficult situations than the 17-55. It's used price was between $200 and $300 less than for a used 16-80mm zoom that lots of folks like, and in my judgement it is a much tighter, better built, and more durable lens (yes, it is built with a lot of plastic) than the 16-80.

There is a rumor that there will not be a "next generation" D500, but that should not be a problem. It's hard to think about what improvements or additions might be useful. Nikon did discontinue the D300s without a replacement a few years ago, which I'm guessing that they saw as a big mistake, since they eventually introduced the D500. Any company can discontinue any product at any time, but that does not mean that the product itself is not a worthy one.

So keep looking if you're not sure. But if you do decide to go with the D500, do it with confidence.