Upgrade Guide
Nikon D5→Nikon D7500
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the D5. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the D7500
-
StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
-
Generation1 year newer (2017 vs 2016)
Unchanged or similar
-
ResolutionSimilar (21MP)
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 | D5 | D7500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -0.2 | ||
| Street | +1.4 | ||
| Travel | +1.4 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -1.3 | ||
| Filmmaking | -0.4 | ||
| Documentary | +0.3 | ||
| Sports & Action | -0.8 | ||
| Landscape | +0.1 | ||
| Wildlife | -0.2 | ||
| Casual | +1.0 | ||
| Food | +0.9 | ||
| Macro | +0.6 | ||
| Architecture | +0.1 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.7 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | D5 | D7500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,800 | £899 | |
| Released | 2016 | 2017 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 20.8MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 20.9MP APS-C BSI CMOS (D500 sensor) | |
| Resolution | 21MP | 21MP | ↑ |
| Video | 4K UHD 30fps (heavy sensor crop) | 4K/30p (slight crop), FHD/60p | |
| Autofocus | Multi-CAM 20K 153-point AF system, 99 cross-type | Multi-CAM 3500FX II, 51 points (15 cross-type) | |
| Stabilisation | — | No stabilisation | |
| Burst Rate | 12fps mechanical | 8fps mechanical | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~3780 shots (CIPA) | ~950 shots (CIPA with OVF) | ↓ |
| Weight | 1405g (body only) | 640g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | OVF 0.72× magnification, 100% coverage | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.94× magnification | |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed touchscreen, 2.36M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | |
| Mount | Nikon F mount | Nikon F-mount (DX) | |
| Memory Cards | Dual XQD slots (XQD variant) | Single SD UHS-II slot |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
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Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the D7500 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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