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Nikon D7500 Comparison Review

The Nikon D7500 is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera that was revealed to the public in April 2017 and is equipped with an APS-C sensor. It offers a resolution of 20.7 megapixel.

camera

Is the Nikon D7500 a good camera? The D7500 has a Camera Elo of 2418. This rating puts the D7500 among the top 10 percent of all digital single lens reflex cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (APS cameras), the D7500 ranks among the top 30 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 4.5-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Nikon D7500
Digital single lens reflex
Nikon F mount lenses
20.7 MP, APS-C Sensor
4K/30p Video
ISO 100 - 51 200 (50 - 164 000)
Optical viewfinder
3.2 LCD, 922k dots
Tilting touchscreen
8 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body
950 shots per battery charge
136 x 104 x 73 mm, 720 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Nikon D7500 vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Nikon D7500 vs credit card front
D7500 versus credit card top view
D7500 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Nikon D7500 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
    Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D7500 136 mm 104 mm 73 mm 720 g 950 Y Apr 2017 US$ 1 299 amazon.com
2.
 
Canon 80D 139 mm 105 mm 79 mm 730 g 960 Y Feb 2016 US$ 1 199ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D5 160 mm 159 mm 92 mm 1415 g 3780 Y Jan 2016 US$ 6 499ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D90 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 703 g 850 n Aug 2008 US$ 1 299ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D500 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 860 g 1240 Y Jan 2016 US$ 1 999ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D610 141 mm 113 mm 82 mm 850 g 900 Y Oct 2013 US$ 1 999ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D3400 124 mm 98 mm 76 mm 445 g 1200 n Aug 2016 US$ 499ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D5600 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 465 g 970 n Nov 2016 US$ 699ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D7000 132 mm 105 mm 77 mm 780 g 1050 Y Sep 2010 US$ 1 499ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D7100 136 mm 107 mm 76 mm 765 g 950 Y Feb 2013 US$ 1 199ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D7200 136 mm 107 mm 76 mm 765 g 1110 Y Mar 2015 US$ 1 199ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Nikon D7500 was launched in the US market at a price of $1,299. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Nikon D7500 features an APS-C sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Nikon D7500 among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Nikon D7500 sensor measures

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of alternative cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
    Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon D7500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.314.0148386
2.
 
Canon 80D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.2113579
3.
 
Nikon D5 Full Frame 20.7 5588 37124K/30p25.112.3234388
4.
 
Nikon D90 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.712.597773
5.
 
Nikon D500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.014.0132483
6.
 
Nikon D610 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/30p25.114.4292594
7.
 
Nikon D3400 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.813.9119286
8.
 
Nikon D5600 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0130684
9.
 
Nikon D7000 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/24p23.513.9116780
10.
 
Nikon D7100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.213.7125683
11.
 
Nikon D7200 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.514.6133387

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The D7500 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the D7500 can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the D7500 has an optical viewfinder that provides a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.61x. The tables below summarize some of the other core capabilities of the Nikon D7500 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
    Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon D7500optical Y3.2 / 922 tilting Y 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
2.
 
Canon 80Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
3.
 
Nikon D5optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
4.
 
Nikon D90optical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 4.5/s Y n
5.
 
Nikon D500optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
6.
 
Nikon D610optical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
7.
 
Nikon D3400optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D5600optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D7000optical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D7100optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D7200optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

The LCD screen on the Nikon D7500 is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD can be tilted vertically to facilitate odd-angle shots in landscape orientation. This tilting design is often preferred, for example, by street photographers to a fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment, as it is more unobtrusive during shooting than a screen that flips out to the side.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the D7500

One convenient feature of the D7500 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D7500 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
    Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon D7500Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y-Y
2.
 
Canon 80DYstereo / monoYYmini2.0YY-
3.
 
Nikon D5Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0---
4.
 
Nikon D90Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
5.
 
Nikon D500Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
6.
 
Nikon D610Ymono / monoYYmini2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D3400Ymono / mono--mini2.0--Y
8.
 
Nikon D5600Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YYY
9.
 
Nikon D7000Ymono / monoY-mini2.0---
10.
 
Nikon D7100Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0---
11.
 
Nikon D7200Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0YY-

It is notable that the D7500 has a microphone port. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Further information on the features and operation of the D7500 can be found in the free online Nikon D7500 Manual or on the Nikon support site.

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Expert reviews

While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the D7500 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
     Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon D75004.5/5+ +4.5/586/1005/54.5/5 Apr 2017 US$ 1 299 amazon.com
2.
 
Canon 80D4/5+ +4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 US$ 1 199ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D5....4/589/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 US$ 6 499ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D90..+ +..+ +4/54.5/5 Aug 2008 US$ 1 299ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D5005/5+ +4.7/591/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 US$ 1 999ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D6104/5+ +..87/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 US$ 1 999ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D34004/5+4/576/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2016 US$ 499ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D56004/5..4/579/1004.5/54/5 Nov 2016 US$ 699ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D70004/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2010 US$ 1 499ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D71005/5+ +..85/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 US$ 1 199ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D72004/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2015 US$ 1 199ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Nikon D7500 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the D7500.

What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the Nikon D7500?

The camera is build around a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Nikon D7500 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Nikon equipped the D7500 with the EXPEED 5 image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Nikon D7500?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 51200, which can be extended to ISO 50-164000.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Nikon D7500?

Nikon mentions a shutter rating of 150 000 actuations for the D7500. This number represents a Mean Time before Failure, that is an average value. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust the expected shutter life of the D7500 over, say, three years, one would have to take about 150 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Nikon D7500?

Nikon embeds the number of shutter actuations in image metadata. You can check the number of shots that your D7500 has taken up to now by uploading a recent image to the free online shutter count finder app.

Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Nikon D7500?

No, the Nikon D7500 has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.

Does the Nikon D7500 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Nikon D7500 for flash photography?

The D7500's flash sync speed is 1/250 sec.

Does the Nikon D7500 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).

Which battery does the Nikon D7500 use?

The camera gets its power from the Nikon EN-EL15a (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Is there a vertical grip available for the Nikon D7500?

Nikon does not offer an optional battery grip, but third party suppliers do (see here on ebay).

Where can I find the best deals for the Nikon D7500?

Grey imports from Asia, as found on ebay, are often very attractively priced. However, these cameras come without a warranty from Nikon.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make your choice using the following search menu. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Nikon D7500
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date April 2017
    Launch Price USD 1 299
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.5 x 15.7 mm
    Sensor Area 369 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.3 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 20.7 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5 568 x 3 712 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.22 μm
    Pixel Density 5.60 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 51 200 ISO
    ISO Boost 50 - 164 000 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED 5
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 86
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 24.3
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 14.0
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1483
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.61x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.2 inch
    LCD Resolution 922k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen
    V-logging Friendliness No front-flip
    Touch Input Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 8 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy150 000 actuations
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer Built-in
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port
    Headphone Socket Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL15a power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)950 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 136 x 104 x 73 mm
    (5.4 x 4.1 x 2.9 in)
    Camera Weight 720 g (25.4 oz)

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

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