scsdesphotography Loc: Southeastern Michigan

I used the D7000 for several years and then upgraded to the D500. The D7xxx series are prosumer cameras, that is they have all the features, auto modes, scene modes and a pop up flash typical of entry level cameras. The build and weather sealing, however is better than the D3xxx and the D5xxx. They also use multiple dials and buttons for setting exposure instead of having to access multiple layers in the menu.

The D500 is a pro camera. It's heavier, sturdier and better weather sealed than the others. While it doesn't offer auto or scene modes, it does have the usual A, S, and P modes and manual of course. Except for the sensor (APS-C), its outstanding 10fps and video mode, the specs are nearly identical to the flagship D5. Functionally the D500 is a more capable imaging machine, it will allow you to get the picture in more challenging photo situations than the lesser models will allow.

Is the D7500 a capable camera? It is. Will you regret buying that one and saving a bunch of dollars? You won't. Is the D500 worth the extra $1000 over the 7500? It is. If you spend that extra money, will you look back and regret it? Not ever!

So if you can stretch your budget for that extra thousand, do it. If your worried about not having the auto feature, shoot in A, S or P mode, only one dial to mess with and you'll be able to experience the joy of actually learning how to control your camera and the images it produces. You will experience a little bit of a learning curve, but you will like it. Oh, and the lack of a pop up flash, I thought that I would miss that too. But, because of the extended low noise ISO capability of the D500, not only do I not miss it, but I mostly don't even use my shoe mounted flash.

Buy as much camera power as you can afford, and then forget it. Focus on enjoying every photo opportunity that comes along. Photography is not so much about equipment, it's about chasing the light and caturing the moment. All modern cameras will allow you to do that.

Bill P

Have you been to Tanzania before? If not, rethink. That 200-500 will give you nothing more than a very sore neck and shoulder. I went to Tanzania and everything I took was with the 70-200, only once with the 1.7TC.

appealnow Loc: Dallas, Texas

I have watched the first video linked that focuses on the D7500 with comparison to the D500. Thanks. I found it to be perhaps the best real-world video review that I have seen. Most just go through the technical specs, which are generally not very helpful. I will watch the others later today. Thanks again.

appealnow Loc: Dallas, Texas

Were you using a full frame or crop sensor with those lenses?

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

I shoot a lot of sports with the D500. It's one great camera as everyone has said in this post. D500 all the way. I have over 160,000 captures with the camera and never had a problem.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

A perfect match. As has been mentioned often on this forum. The Nikon 200-500mm zoom lens, is reasonable in price, for the great quality it gives. Enjoy that marriage.

BigMo

Hands down the D500. Awesome camera

LoStrunzo

I have the 7500 and it's an excellent camera. Used in in rainly Ireland for a wet with no problems. And I agree with the sales person, use the $500 for another lens

CO

The D500's joystick is another great feature. I only use my D500 now for studio photo shoots because I can move the focus point(s) around quickly with it. It helps to keep a focus point on the model's face.

The D500 has a larger view through the viewfinder. It has 1.0x magnification. The D7500 has 0.94x magnification. The view through the viewfinder of my D500 seems to be as large as my full frame D750.

(Download)

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I do not have a D500 or a D7500. But when I moved to full frame, I held off buying a D850 for several reasons, one of which was the lack of a pop-up flash. Turns out that isn't a reason for concern. After I did, I found a used SB-400 Speedlight (no longer manufactured, but available if you look around) to carry in a pocket for occasions that I need a flash or wanted a little bit of fill. It works great for that. The only thing to watch out for is that because it sits low on the camera, a large lens shorter than 40mm or so can cause a shadow on the bottom of the image. But that happens with a pop-up flash also. I do complain a little bit about not having a focus assist light to help accomplish focus in really dark situations.

Control locations will be pretty different between the D500 and your current camera, but you can use Image Management to set up shooting environments that can replace any of the Scene selections that you are accustomed to. You'll just have to do a little research to figure out exactly how to set them up.

The D500 has much more flexibility than you are accustomed to. But you can learn it a little bit at a time as you go.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

The OP is probably referring to full auto, which, as indicated by his salesperson, the D500 does not have. The shooting modes to which you are referring are semi-auto modes, not full auto. While the lack of a full auto mode would be irrelevant for me, for some people having it is an absolute requirement.

Additionally, not everybody can handle or don't understand how to use a camera as complex as the D500. They may prefer a less expensive, lighter weight, and easier to master camera like the D7500. Specification wise the D7500 would be better described as a D500 Light.

Brian45 Loc: Melbourne, Australia

Best solution then would be to move away from Texas.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Now … you may not have an Auto setting on the D500, but - as ALL dig cams do - you have a P setting.

The only difference between P and Auto, is you still control ISO, but, you can set THAT on Auto …

Anyway, the D7500, apart from being considerably newer than the D500 - is also much, much - lighter …

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

I think if budget isn't an issue the D500 will give you more bang for the buck in the long run...."bottomless" buffer in RAW, 10 fps, superlative AF processor....especially a big plus if you plan sports/action or bird/BIF/wildlife photography.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

P mode lets you control more than ISO, but I understand what you meant. And, in addition to your point about the D7500 being much lighter, (it's only 3/4 the weight of the D500), it also costs half as much. If I was in the market for one of those two models I would probably go for the D500 with its more advanced professional functionality, but for many people the much less expensive and lighter D7500 is a better choice.