Upgrade Guide
Nikon D810→Nikon D500
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the D810. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the D500
-
Burst rate10fps vs 5fps
-
Generation2 years newer (2016 vs 2014)
Unchanged or similar
-
Resolution21MP (down from 36MP — optimised for low light)
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 | D810 | D500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -0.4 | ||
| Street | +0.3 | ||
| Travel | +0.3 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -0.2 | ||
| Documentary | +0.2 | ||
| Sports & Action | +0.8 | ||
| Landscape | -0.7 | ||
| Wildlife | +0.5 | ||
| Casual | +0.8 | ||
| Food | +0.5 | ||
| Macro | +0.1 | ||
| Architecture | -0.7 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.5 | ||
| Filmmaking | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | D810 | D500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £348 | £484 | |
| Released | 2014 | 2016 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 36.3MP full-frame CMOS | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 36MP | 21MP | ↓ |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/60 | 4K UHD/30p (1.5× crop), 1080p/60 | |
| Autofocus | 51-point phase-detect (15 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view | 153-point phase-detect (99 cross-type, 55 selectable) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view | |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | |
| Burst Rate | 5fps | 10fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~1200 shots (CIPA) | ~1240 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 980g (with battery) | 860g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.0x | |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.36M dots | |
| Mount | Nikon F mount | Nikon F-mount (DX) | |
| Memory Cards | Dual slots: CompactFlash + SD | Dual slots: XQD + SD |
Compare side-by-side
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Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the D500 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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