Decision tools · Compare
D500 vs A5000
Quick take: The D500 has the highest resolution at 21MP; the A5000 is the most affordable; only the D500 is weather sealed.
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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Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | D500Nikon · 2016 | A5000Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £484 | £154Best |
| Sensor | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | 20.1MP APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.9MPBest | 20.1MP |
| Video | 4K UHD/30p (1.5× crop), 1080p/60 | Full HD 1080 (60i / 25p AVCHD), 1440×1080/30p MP4 |
| Autofocus | 153-point phase-detect (99 cross-type, 55 selectable) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view | 25-point contrast AF with face detection |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) |
| Burst Rate | 10fpsBest | 3.5fps |
| Battery Life | ~1240 shots (CIPA)Best | ~420 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 860g (with battery) | 269g (with battery)Best |
| Dimensions | 147 × 115 × 81mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.0x | None (rear screen only) |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.36M dots | 3.0" 180° flip-up LCD, 460k dots |
| Mount | Nikon F-mount (DX) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual slots: XQD + SD | Single SD slot |
| Connectivity | USB 3.0, mini HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (SnapBridge), NFC, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacks, 10-pin remote | Micro USB (Multi Terminal), micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, NFC |
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
A5000
Portrait
5.9/10
4.3/10
Street
4.9/10
6.5/10
Travel
5.0/10
6.1/10
Wedding & Events
6.6/10
2.6/10
Filmmaking
5.1/10
—
Documentary
5.6/10
3.5/10
Sports & Action
6.6/10
3.1/10
Landscape
5.3/10
4.7/10
Wildlife
6.4/10
4.2/10
Casual
3.6/10
4.2/10
Food
5.0/10
5.2/10
Macro
4.1/10
4.7/10
Architecture
4.9/10
4.8/10
Astrophotography
5.5/10
4.8/10
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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