DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Can anyone offer a short explanation why the D7200 is offered with a 24mp sensor and the "advanced" , top-of-the-line D500 with a ~21mp sensor?

CO

Nikon reduced the D500 to 21MP so that it can shoot at 10 frames per second. The smaller file sizes allows it to process a little faster. They did the same with the D5. It's 20MP and can shoot at 12 frames per second.

I was glad when Nikon started to reduce the resolution. Larger pixels are better. The D7500 has the same 21MP sensor as the D500.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Different processors. Fewer megapixels don't always translate to lower quality images. Other factors apply.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

D500 has 2 memory card slots. One being the expensive XQD memory card. The D500 has 4K video and tilt LCD screen. The D500 is a great low light crop sensor camera. And a great sports camera. Frankly, the D7500 is a better camera than the D7200. As mentioned in a previous thread, the D7500 has the same 20.9 megapixels sensor as the D500, and has 8 fps, as compared to 10 fps on the D500.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

After using a D500 for about a month, my assessment of that model is quite different from the one that is commonly accepted on this site (mostly, I think, by folks who have never shot a D500 ). Far from being a "sports camera" (whatever that is), the D500 is a very outstanding all-around camera.

In actual use, its controls provide quick, easy, and direct access to all shooting controls. Many other very useful options are easily available through the menus.

Because it allows an XQD card to be used to capture and store images, there would have been no problem implementing the same frame rate with a 24MP sensor. Rather, I believe that 21MP was chosen because it results in almost the identical pixel pitch of the D850, and, in fact, D500 images are spookily similar to those from the D850 in overall image "character." Low light performance is also very similar, although the slightly older technology isn't quite a perfect match.

I held out for a long time before buying a D500, mostly because I had a lot of the same misconceptions I still read about here. I now regret my delay, and the D500 with the Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8 lens has become my everyday camera, with the D810 and D850 right now being held for more specialized projects.


I'm not one for a lot of hype, but the D500 is every bit the DX camera that the D850 was ballyhooed to be for FX.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

Fewer MP = larger photosites for same chip area = better s/n performance and expanded iso range.

Also allows for faster processing with EXPEED5.

If you notice Nikon has been most conservative with MP sizes on the top line D3/4/5 FX models....mainly for low light and speed performance needed by the pros (or enthusiasts with large wallets).

The D7200 although aging fills a nice niche in the DX lineup 7200/7500/500.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Slow day???

david vt Loc: Vermont

IYHO! I regularly use the two slots of my 7200 for jpeg plus raw for different needs, which the D7500 cannot do. While there are trade-offs between the two, it is a matter of your needs which one is better.

I do think that, as an aging and obsolete model, the 7200 is right now a great value and good kit deals can be had.

ELNikkor

precious little difference in image quality between 21 and 24 mp, compared to the many advantages of the 21.

Mark7S

I totally agree with Larry and had the D7500 before I bought the D500. Went to the D7500 from the D7100 instead of buying the D500. After using the D500 for 6 months now Larry is right on IMHO

Kim LeBlanc Loc: St. charles, Mi.

I bought a 7200, battery grip back just under 1 year ago. A very good camera, but it matched up to my Pentax K3-II. I have since purchased the D500. It is all I expected. I do have the 7200 for sale along with the battery grip & 3 year extended warranty. I purchased from B&H of which I would suppy the original bill of sale. A screen protector was put on camera out of the box. I am selling for $1000.00, about a $500.00 dollar savings. There are about 1500 on the shutter count. I could check to give exact # and send photos if interested. All box's etc. camera is in excellent condition with only about 5 months of use.

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

You would have to ask Nikon, 1-800-645-6687 if you wanted the CORRECT answer.
That said, there is a LOT of differences in the two bodies.
Most important differences are
The D500 has the Exceed 5 processor, the D7200 has the Exceed 4 processor. Enough said.
The D500 has GROUP AUTO FOCUS (the best focusing system available for action shots), the D7200 does not.
The D500 has a separate focusing engine, the D7200 does not. (this means your action shots SHOULD be better)
The D500 can shoot at 10 fps, the D7200 cannot.
The D500 has two slots, one slot is for the new XQD card, a necessary card for fast shooting and buffering. The D7200 does not have this slot.
Finally, I have owned both camera's, the D7200 cannot match the D500 for action shots.
And finally, folks who only shop MP may be missing something.

Mark7S

well said Bill!

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Agree!!!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Pixels are only one part of the magic formula that lets a box capture scenes that it sees.