New Nikon D500. No Pop Up Flash: Just checked out some specs on the upcoming Nikon D500. It is impressive to say the least. 20.9 megapixels, 3.2" moveable LCD, 4K video, and rapid...

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Just checked out some specs on the upcoming Nikon D500. It is impressive to say the least. 20.9 megapixels, 3.2" moveable LCD, 4K video, and rapid fps. Dual slots for memory cards including either SDHC or XQD card. Low and behold, no pop up flash. The only DX format camera without one. Is this a plot to sell more Nikon Speedlights?

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

That's a possible motive for eliminating the pop up flash but it might backfire because it may cause some loss of sales for that particular camera. IMHO, it was an ill advised decision.

mas24 wrote:

Just checked out some specs on the upcoming Nikon D500. It is impressive to say the least. 20.9 megapixels, 3.2" moveable LCD, 4K video, and rapid fps. Dual slots for memory cards including either SDHC or XQD card. Low and behold, no pop up flash. The only DX format camera without one. Is this a plot to sell more Nikon Speedlights?

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Thew D500 is pushed as a pro-summer camera so not pop-up flash will not be a surprise for anyone and not a sale strategy error, far from it.

BebuLamar

The D500 cost more than an FX camera and that's why it doesn't have a pop up flash. You don't see pop up flash on the $6500 D5 do you?

Bill_de Loc: US

Removal of the pop up flash, reportedly had to do with providing better weather sealing.

While it came in handy once in a while on my D300, not enough that I will miss it.

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Haydon

Pop-up flashes aren't used on high end bodies. I don't miss it whatsoever. Anyone willing to buy a quality body like this won't think twice in purchasing a more versatile speedlight.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Haydon wrote:

Pop-up flashes aren't used on high end bodies. I don't miss it whatsoever. Anyone willing to buy a quality body like this won't think twice in purchasing a more versatile speedlight.

Pentax's APS-C flagship, the K-3ii. also doesn't have an OBF; when it was released just about this time last year, many regulars complained, even threatened to go to some other brand. Apparently a number of users of high-end cameras still depend on what I characterize as a "point source light", either for fill or as master to control one or more off-board slave flashes, and simply do not want to add a "real flash" to their bags. To say the least, I was amazed at this response, because I had always considered On-Board Flash to be a rank amateur thing, more appropriate for a point-and-shoot than for a truly serious camera, but that is how it was.

MtnMan Loc: ID

BebuLamar wrote:

The D500 cost more than an FX camera and that's why it doesn't have a pop up flash. You don't see pop up flash on the $6500 D5 do you?

You do get a pop-up flash on the equivalently priced D750 and more expensive
D8xxs.

I never use the one on my D800 though. The high ISO performance makes it unnecessary and you get a shadow from the relatively large lenses at wide angle. It's lack would not discorage me from buying one.

I'm moe unhappy by Nikon again using a wierd card. Why can't they get it that SD cards are best?

They claim it is to improve the weather proofing. But then they use atilting screen. They also claim they've delayed release because of too many orders. Methinks you need to watch out to not get poked by the nose of Any Nikon spokesperson.

Haydon

rehess wrote:

Pentax's APS-C flagship, the K-3ii. also doesn't h... (show quote)

Great analogy rehess :thumbup: :thumbup:

Haydon

MtnMan wrote:

You do get a pop-up flash on the equivalently pric... (show quote)

There's plenty of enigmas out there. I have heard the same about weather sealing with Canon's as well. Then again I also heard that because they were using magnesium bodies, they were unable to include GPS. Never understood that at all considering the tech we have in this day and age. I always saw it as a money making accessory.

Just wondering, maybe the afterthought of off camera triggering with CLS is another reason to include it on D8** series. Thanks for the enlightenment. I hadn't realize they had pop up flash.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

It's a professional camera

CO

Rongnongno wrote:

Thew D500 is pushed as a pro-summer camera so not pop-up flash will not be a surprise for anyone and not a sale strategy error, far from it.

It's not just pro-summer but spring, fall, and winter as well. I think it should be prosumer. Just kidding.

CO

mas24 wrote:

Just checked out some specs on the upcoming Nikon D500. It is impressive to say the least. 20.9 megapixels, 3.2" moveable LCD, 4K video, and rapid fps. Dual slots for memory cards including either SDHC or XQD card. Low and behold, no pop up flash. The only DX format camera without one. Is this a plot to sell more Nikon Speedlights?

Probably, the thinking is that pro photographers will use more than just a pop-up flash and it improves weather resistance.

Bill_de Loc: US

MtnMan wrote:

SD cards are best

I guess nobody told them. They probably figured the potential of higher speed, larger storage, and better heat dissipation actually mattered. Silly Nikon engineers. :)

I did read one interesting tidbit. The card modules in the cameras can be changed (for a fee), so that you could switch a XQD/SD camera to take 2 of one or the other. Even the D5s will be able to be switched. No mention what the fee will be.

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DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

The D500 according to Nikon is aimed at the 'advanced amateur and professional' where market research suggests a pop up flash is not high on the list of wants.
I know a number of D800 / D810 users who would prefer that the camera did not have a pop up as it is not very useful, returning harsh and poor quality lighting.