Decision tools · Compare
D500 vs Z6
Quick take: The Z6 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the D500 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
Z6 — Travel, Portrait, Video: Nikon's proof of concept — and a genuinely excellent camera.
Who should buy what
Z6 (2018)
is the right camera for you if…
- Nikon DSLR users making their first move to mirrorless
- Photographers who want full-frame Nikon glass on a budget
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | D500Nikon · 2016 | Z6Nikon · 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £484Best | £749 |
| Sensor | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm |
| Resolution | 20.9MP | 24.5MPBest |
| Video | 4K UHD/30p (1.5× crop), 1080p/60 | 4K 30fps (full-width), 1080p 120fps |
| Autofocus | 153-point phase-detect (99 cross-type, 55 selectable) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view | 273-point phase-detect hybrid AF |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | 5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 12fpsBest |
| Battery Life | ~1240 shots (CIPA)Best | 310 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 860g (with battery) | 585g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 147 × 115 × 81mm | 134.0 × 100.5 × 67.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.0x | EVF 0.80× 3.69M-dot |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.36M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.1M-dot |
| Mount | Nikon F-mount (DX) | Nikon Z-Mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual slots: XQD + SD | Single XQD / CFexpress Type B |
| Connectivity | USB 3.0, mini HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (SnapBridge), NFC, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacks, 10-pin remote | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C 3.1, HDMI |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
D500
Z6
Portrait
5.9/10
7.2/10
Street
4.9/10
5.9/10
Travel
5.0/10
5.7/10
Wedding & Events
6.6/10
6.0/10
Filmmaking
5.1/10
6.3/10
Documentary
5.6/10
6.5/10
Sports & Action
6.6/10
6.9/10
Landscape
5.3/10
5.9/10
Wildlife
6.4/10
7.4/10
Casual
3.6/10
4.6/10
Food
5.0/10
6.5/10
Macro
4.1/10
6.3/10
Architecture
4.9/10
5.8/10
Astrophotography
5.5/10
6.1/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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