Upgrade Guide
Nikon Coolpix P900→Nikon D500
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Strong upgrade
The D500 improves across 6 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most Coolpix P900 owners will notice the difference.
What's new in the D500
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Resolution21MP vs 16MP (+5MP)
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Weather sealingAdded — fully sealed body
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StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
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Burst rate10fps vs 7fps
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Battery life~1240 shots (CIPA) vs ~360 shots (CIPA)
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Generation1 year newer (2016 vs 2015)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | Coolpix P900 | D500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +2.3 | ||
| Street | +1.0 | ||
| Travel | +1.3 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +4.2 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — | ||
| Documentary | +3.2 | ||
| Sports & Action | +2.3 | ||
| Landscape | +2.2 | ||
| Wildlife | +1.4 | ||
| Casual | +1.3 | ||
| Food | +1.1 | ||
| Macro | +1.2 | ||
| Architecture | +1.3 | ||
| Astrophotography | +2.9 | ||
| Filmmaking | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Coolpix P900 | D500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £204 used | £258 used | |
| Released | 2015 | 2016 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 16MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 16MP | 21MP | ↑ |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/60 | 4K UHD/30p (1.5× crop), 1080p/60 | |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF with face detection and target tracking | 153-point phase-detect (99 cross-type, 55 selectable) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view | |
| Stabilisation | Lens-shift VR (optical, in the lens) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | |
| Burst Rate | 7fps | 10fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~360 shots (CIPA) | ~1240 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 899g (with battery) | 860g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Yes | ↑ |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 0.2", 921k dots | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.0x | |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle LCD, 921k dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.36M dots | |
| Mount | Fixed 83x Nikkor 24-2000mm equivalent f/2.8-6.5 | Nikon F-mount (DX) | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Dual slots: XQD + SD |
Compare side-by-side
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