The Nikon P500 appears to be a "bridge" camera.... a model that handles and looks a little like a DSLR, but has a non-interchangeable zoom lens. I haven't used it, so can't make direct comparisons.

Only you and she can say what's a "good move up" for her.

The 21MP Canon 5D Mark III is a fine camera, now discontinued and superseded by the 30MP Mk IV, but still avail. new for about $2300 (Mk IV costs $3300). But it's full frame DSLR and that will require buying bigger, heavier, more expensive full-frame-capable lenses too. To purchase a set of lenses with roughly the same 22.5mm to 820mm (equivalent) range of the P500's built-in 36X zoom... better set aside around $30,000 to $40,000 for: 24-70mm f/4 IS USM ($1000), 100mm f/2.8 macro ($900 w/tripod ring), 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II ($1900), 200-400mm f/4L IS USM w/ built in 1.4X ($11,000) and 800mm f/5.6L IS USM (13,000). You'll also want to hire a Sherpa to help carry them all. And you'll need a heavy duty tripod to support some of these lenses, so figure another $1500 to $2000 for that.

Frankly, a Canon 24MP 80D that's currently selling for $1100 would be a really big step up for her in many respects, too... and a lot more manageable in price, with a wider choice of smaller, lighter lenses (it can use both full frame type AND crop-only lenses). A high quality lens kit for an APS-C camera such as this, roughly equivalent to the range of the P500 might include: EF-S 15-85mm IS USM ($800), EF-S 60mm f/2.8 macro ($400), EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM ($1250), and Tamron 150-600mm G2 VC USD ($1400). Those would be a lot more manageable to carry around!

Of course there are other lens choices (Canon themselves makes nearly 90 that fit 80D, around 65 of which also work on 5DIII)... Above is just to give comparisons. A very capable "bargain" kit could easily be put together. At under $300, the Canon EF-S 10-18mm IS STM is the smallest, lightest and least expensive ultrawide made by anyone... only one of two with stabilization and with surprisingly competitive image quality, better than most. The very good EF-S 18-135mm IS USM is often bundled in kit with the 80D, for $300 more than the camera body alone (that lens normally sells for $600 separately). For around $300, the EF-S 55-250mm IS STM offers very good image quality in a compact, portable lens... or for $600 upgrade to the EF 70-300mm IS USM II, with higher performance autofocus, a little more reach and some other incremental upgrades.

Sure, 5DIII is a great camera. HOWEVER... Unless your wife makes really big prints... say larger than 16x20" or 18x24"... she won't see much difference in the end results between the images made with a full frame 5DIII or crop sensor 80D. Most people don't really need and get no actual benefit from full frame cameras. They've just bought into all the hype about full frame and the only time they'll actually see a difference is while they're post-processing their images on their computer and viewing them "at 100%" (equivalent to a 40" x 60" print being viewed from 18 to 20" away!). Most people will never actually come close to printing those sizes and online display requires even less resolution than printing does! By the time users have finished post-processing and re-sized their images for final use, the differences between full frame and crop sensor DSLRs largely disappear for most "real world" uses.

The Nikon P500 uses a "1/2.3 inch" sensor that measures about 4.5 x 6 millimeters. The Canon 80D uses an approx. 15 x 22 millimeter "APS-C" size sensor. The 24MP 80D's sensor is twice the resolution and more than 10X larger than the P500's 12MP sensor! This will make quite a difference in image quality and greatly increase the capability of the camera to be used in low light (high ISO) situations. Yes, the 5DIII has an even larger 24 x 36mm sensor, about 2.5X bigger than the 80D's or more than 20X larger than the P500's. But the 80D uses the latest, current generation sensor... while the 5DIII's is one or two generations older design. So, the 8)D is actually closer to the performance of 5DIII, than the difference in sensor size might suggest.

80D also has some other advantages over 5DIII. It has WiFi, an articulated LCD "touch" screen and a built-in flash... none of which the the 5DIII has. 80D also has Flicker Free feature which greatly improves exposure accuracy under fluorescent and similar types of lighting, which 5DIII lacks. 80D has some built-in support and automation for step-up buyers, new to using DSLRs. 5D-series (and similar design, crop-sensor 7D-series) assume a more experienced user and have much less automation and support for folks new to this type of camera).

If money is a concern, the slightly lower specification 77D or Rebel T7i both have basically the same autofocus system and image sensor as the 80D. It's more some differences in other features and controls that set them apart.

Yes, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony and others offer some interesting options too. I'm a Canon user for the past fifteen years or so, and that's the system I know best. So it's what I've used as examples, though if I were shopping today I'd most likely still buy the Canon system for it's relative value, overall quality and wide selection. But there are good, capable lenses and cameras made by other folks, too. Whatever you and your wife decide, quality lenses will actually make more difference in her images, than the camera they're used upon. Many people under-spend on lenses and over-spend on the camera. They actually should do the opposite.

I suggest checking out these other Canon models before deciding... as well as any other brands she might consider. Any of the above and many other manufacturers' cameras and lenses would make for a nice upgrade from a bridge camera.

Once she decides, if she doesn't already have it, buy her a copy of Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure" and one of the guide books specifically for whatever camera she chooses. Those will be a huge help!

Look, Mr. Always the Sage Advisor, some people do quite well with a P&S, including a helluva lot of pros who use one for backup, vacations and places where cameras are not particularly welcome. It's a valid question, albeit somewhat rhetorical. Sometimes there is no need to "upgrade" and buy a "better" camera; often all people need is reassurance that what they are using is the right choice.

Just for you, I went back and read the entire thread again. MY QUESTION STILL STANDS. Several responders expressed like sentiment. The OP's wife walks a lot. She may be lusting a 5D right now, but after carrying it around for a few miles, she may regret - and even come to resent - the size, bulk and weight. Maybe a μ4/3 is the best camera, maybe a certain 4-5 year old bridge camera that still thrills good photographers today - or maybe a compact high end P&S. One of my grandsons is now in college and photographs for the school newspaper; he has access to a wide range of new digital cameras, but the camera he carries most (when instant image access is not critical) is the Nikon EM I gave him when he was 12. Not everyone needs a 5D; sometimes all a person needs is justification and/or encouragement to believe in what they are using. It is rumored that HCB had access to all the latest Leica cameras and lenses; yet, even in his later years, he could be seen out taking pictures with a IIIg.

Now get off my back and turn your attention to the subject at hand, if you wish to continue the discussion of my reading habits, take it to PM - unless all you want is to have your insults available to the masses. If you want to do so, perhaps we can open a thread in Chit-Chat.

LOW LIGHT PERFORMANCE!!!!! - it is not about what so and so used. The OP asked about his wife and would the 5D be too much camera? The answer is no, it isn't too much of a camera. Low light performance will be superior to her P&S - not to mention clarity. Maybe YOU don't need more than a P&S camera. But the OP's wife is NOT you. I would bet that she is more artistic than you and I combined. So why shouldn't they give the camera a try? They can walk into a camera store, hold it play with it, and if the camera is too heavy for her, maybe the store will recommend a better solution, but either way, they are not using OUR $$$, so let her purchase what she wants. How hard is that to understand?

Again, the OP is looking for better low light performance. That equals a larger sensor. But let HER make that decision. Plenty of women walk around with FF gear.

Except for weight, you can't really buy too much camera. I have always felt an entry level camera is for someone trying to decide if they are really interested in photography. If that is already decided, go for a more advanced camera.

My reasoning is that even the most advanced cameras usually have a program mode and some auto modes. It is easier to grow into more advanced features, when ready, if you already have them in your hand. To me it makes more sense then stepping up by getting a new camera each time.

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