Nikon D500

Manufacturer: Nikon
Type: camera — APS-C DSLR (DX format)
Year introduced: 2016
Sensor: 20.9MP DX-format CMOS with EXPEED 5 image processor
AF system: Multi-CAM 20K — 153 focus points (99 cross-type), dedicated AF CPU
Continuous shooting: 10 fps with AF/AE, 200-shot RAW buffer (with XQD card)
Video: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) at 30/25/24p, up to 29 min 59 sec
ISO range: 100–51,200 native (expandable to Hi 5, ISO 1,640,000 equivalent)
Viewfinder: 1.0x magnification, 100% coverage — largest Nikon DX viewfinder
Battery: EN-EL15 (1,240 shots per CIPA rating)
Card slots: 1x XQD + 1x SD
Body: Magnesium alloy, weather-sealed
Price at launch: $1,999.95 (body only); $3,069.95 (with AF-S DX 16-80mm kit lens)

Overview

The Nikon D500 is a 20.9-megapixel DX-format DSLR announced on January 6, 2016, at CES alongside the Nikon D5 flagship FX body (^[1]). It filled a gap that had persisted since the D300 era — Nikon had never released a “D400” successor, leaving DX enthusiasts without a pro-grade cropped-sensor body for nearly eight years. The D500 shared the D5’s 153-point Multi-CAM 20K autofocus system, EXPEED 5 processor, and 180,000-pixel RGB metering sensor, delivering flagship-level performance in a smaller, lighter body at one-third the price (^[2]).

For underwater photographers, the D500 became the dominant DX body for big-animal photography. The 1.5x crop factor effectively extended telephoto reach while allowing use of smaller, lighter lenses and dome ports. The 153-point AF system covered virtually the entire DX-format viewfinder — far wider proportional coverage than on the FX-format D5 or D850 — making it exceptionally effective for tracking fast-moving marine life (^[3]). Combined with 10 fps burst shooting and a 200-shot RAW buffer (using XQD cards), the D500 offered capabilities previously available only in Nikon’s professional flagship bodies.

The camera’s lack of a built-in pop-up flash was noted immediately upon announcement as a potential challenge for housing manufacturers relying on fiber-optic strobe triggering, since many previous Nikon DX housings used the pop-up flash to fire optical cables (^[4], post by howard). This spurred manufacturers to develop LED-based flash trigger systems.

The Missing D400

The absence of a D400 between the D300 (2007) and the D500 (2016) was one of the most discussed topics in underwater photography during that period. Don Silcock theorized that Nikon deliberately withheld a pro DX body to push photographers toward full-frame FX systems, releasing numerous new FX lenses while offering only consumer-grade DX glass (^[5]). Adam Hanlon speculated that Nikon, as an engineering-driven company, set performance goals for each camera release and simply could not find the technology to meet their criteria for a D400 at the time (^[6]).

The ripple effects were significant: many underwater photographers held onto aging D300 bodies and housings, others migrated to the prosumer D7000 series, and still others moved to Nikon FX models or mirrorless cameras entirely. The D500’s arrival in 2016 threw all those decisions into doubt (^[7]).

Key Specifications

The D500’s press release and hands-on coverage at the NPS UK launch event revealed the following technical details (^[8], ^[9]):

• Autofocus: Multi-CAM 20K sensor module with 153 focus points in a dense array covering an extremely wide portion of the DX frame. Of these, 99 are cross-type sensors detecting both horizontal and vertical patterns. Fifteen sensors support f/8 apertures. Central point operates to -4 EV, all others to -3 EV. A dedicated ASIC chip handles AF processing independently, enabling faster AF performance and image write speeds.
• Continuous shooting: 10 fps with continuous AF and metering active, buffering up to 200 shots in 14-bit lossless compressed RAW when using high-speed XQD cards. With SD cards, the buffer drops to approximately 15–39 frames before stuttering, depending on card speed (^[10], comments by Dogs Of Marymoor Park and Mark Gray).
• Video: 4K UHD at 30/25/24p for up to 29 min 59 sec (vs. only 2 min 59 sec on the D5 at launch). 1080p at 60p also available. Electronic VR for handheld movie recording. The D500 had dedicated video settings independent of stills settings, allowing quick switching between modes (^[11]).
• Metering: 180,000-pixel RGB sensor driving Advanced Scene Recognition System, also providing scene data for improved 3D focus tracking accuracy (^[12]).
• Monitor: 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen with 2,359k-dot resolution. Touch AF, touch shutter, and text input supported. The tilt function was noted as potentially useful for housing viewfinder positioning (^[13]).
• Controls: Sub-selector “joystick” for focus point selection (previously exclusive to pro bodies). ISO button relocated adjacent to the on/off switch, posing a challenge for housing manufacturers. Two user-assignable Fn buttons (^[14]).
• Connectivity: SnapBridge (Bluetooth/Wi-Fi) for constant wireless connection to smart devices. Optional WT-7 Wireless Transmitter for high-speed wired/wireless LAN transfer (^[15]). Turning on flight mode was recommended to extend battery life underwater (^[16], comment by Mark Gray).

Underwater Performance

Autofocus

The D500’s Multi-CAM 20K autofocus system was widely regarded as the best Nikon had ever produced and possibly the best any manufacturer had made, even two years after launch (^[17]). Only the D500, D5, and D850 shared this system with its dedicated AF CPU.

The critical advantage of the D500 over FX bodies was that the 153 phase-detection sensors covered virtually the entire DX sensor area, whereas on the larger FX sensors of the D5 and D850, those same 153 points covered a proportionally smaller central region (^[18]).

Don Silcock documented the AF system’s performance extensively during three weeks in the Azores. During a two-hour encounter with False Killer Whales — which he described as “the fastest creatures I have ever personally been in the water with” — he was able to lock focus on the head of a fast-approaching animal and the D500 tracked it at 10 fps without missing a beat. His previous attempts to photograph the same species using an Olympus OM-D E-M1 had “failed miserably” (^[19]). On blue shark dives, he could lock onto the shark’s eye and let the D500 do the rest (^[20]).

Adam Hanlon’s field review, based on nearly 8,000 images shot over a month in Indonesia, reported that only a handful were out of focus when using AF-C with 3D tracking (^[21]). He recommended AF-C with 3D tracking for both macro and wide-angle underwater work, calling it “like magic,” and strongly advised using back-button focus configuration to get reliable 3D tracking results (^[22]). He noted the D500/D5 AF system appeared to have been “tuned” for shooting moving subjects and action, unlike the D800/810 system which was tuned for studio and landscape use (^[23]).

Community members reported that Group AF area mode worked well for large animal close-up encounters where single-point AF might lock onto a less desirable part of the animal (^[24]).

Image Quality

Adam Hanlon assessed the D500’s image quality as “very pleasing,” noting the sensor handled highlights well (^[25]). In his field review, he stated the D500 would “outperform the D800/810 or Df in almost all circumstances underwater” despite being a DX body, largely due to its superior AF, burst speed, and the inherent depth-of-field advantage of cropped sensors (^[26], comment response).

Jack Connick, reviewing the D850 in 2018, described the D500 as “certainly one of my favorites,” praising its “snappy performance and incredible low-light focusing” as ideal for fast-paced shooting (^[27]).

DX Format Advantages Underwater

Nauticam’s NA-D500 product literature highlighted several advantages of the DX format for underwater use (^[28]):

• Fisheye zoom: The Tokina 10-17mm provided a 180-degree diagonal to portrait-style field of view — a capability without a full-frame equivalent.
• Super-wide zooms: DX cameras with lenses like the Nikon 10-24mm achieved strong corner performance in 180mm dome ports, versus the much larger domes required for FX wide zooms.
• Extra macro reach: The DX crop factor provided inherently higher magnification, amplified further with accessories like Nauticam’s Super Macro Converter.
• Size and cost: Smaller lenses, smaller domes, lower cost — savings that added up and benefited travel.

Lens and Port Combinations

The D500 was most commonly paired with the following lenses underwater:

• Tokina AT-X 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 fisheye — The most popular wide-angle option. Used behind Zen 100mm and 170mm domes, as well as Sea & Sea fisheye ports. Silcock initially used this but later upgraded to the Nikon 8-15mm for superior optical quality (^[29]).
• Nikon AF-S Fisheye 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5 — Don Silcock called it “one hell of a lens — very sharp and optically significantly superior to the Tokina 10-17” and described it as working “incredibly well” with the D500’s Multi-CAM 20K AF system, paired with Nauticam’s 140mm dome (^[30]).
• Tokina 11-16mm / 11-20mm rectilinear zoom — Used behind 230mm domes for situations requiring less distortion.
• Nikon 60mm f/2.8 and 105mm f/2.8 VR Macro — Standard macro lenses. The 105mm was used with Nauticam’s Super Macro Converter for reproduction ratios exceeding 2:1 (^[31]).
• Nikon 10.5mm f/2.8 DX Fisheye — Used by early adopters before the Tokina 10-17mm; community member Alex Dawson tested it behind various dome ports (^[32]).
• SAGA Trio macro lens system — Reviewed using the D500 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR (^[33]).

Alex Dawson’s early pool tests with the Nikon 10.5mm ranked dome performance (best to worst): Sea & Sea fisheye port, 230mm Zen dome, Sea & Sea optical port with 20mm extension ring, Sea & Sea optical port without extension. He also confirmed that the DX crop yielded substantially better corner sharpness than his FX D810 (^[34]). Adam Hanlon noted the general principle: bigger ports yield better corners, but DX cameras’ inherent depth of field allows getting away with smaller domes (^[35]).

Shooting Technique

Don Silcock detailed his preferred techniques with the D500 (^[36]):

• Snorkeling with large mammals: Center-weighted metering, aperture priority at f/11, auto ISO with minimum shutter speed of 1/200s. Accepted high ISOs (up to 4000+) when shooting into the blue, finding the resulting noise manageable in post-processing.
• Blue shark dives: Manual exposure with spot metering, f/11, 1/200s, ISO adjusted for background exposure, strobe power adjusted to avoid overexposing subjects.
• AF mode: 153-point dynamic area AF (d153) with AF-C for continuous focus tracking.

For strobe-compatible fast shooting, Silcock found that Sea & Sea YS-250 strobes at quarter power could provide enough light for subjects close to the dome while recycling fast enough to keep up with 10 fps shooting. For 5 fps scenarios, Ikelite DS160 strobes at quarter power were sufficient (^[37]).

Housing Availability

Multiple manufacturers announced or shipped housings within months of the camera’s announcement, triggering what amounted to a housing race. The D500’s completely new body design required entirely new housings from every manufacturer (^[38]). The lack of a pop-up flash drove innovation in LED-based flash triggering systems.

Subal ND500

Announced January 20, 2016, just two weeks after the camera announcement, alongside the Subal ND5. Planned release date of April 2016. Subal also announced their new N-TTL Converter system for Nikon housings, offering TTL via optical or Nikonos 5-pin bulkheads, with battery life rated at 65,000 shots or 5–7 years (^[39]).

Nauticam NA-D500

Price: $3,500 | Shipping: May 23, 2016 | Depth rating: 100m | Weight: 3.02 kg

The NA-D500 (model 17220) was one of the most comprehensively reviewed D500 housings. It featured a new LED flash triggering system mounted directly to the housing front (powered by two CR2032 batteries, rated for 50,000+ exposures / 3–5 years), replacing older hotshoe-mounted LED triggers. An optional TTL Converter (part 26307) provided automatic TTL flash exposure with Inon Z-240, Sea & Sea YS-D2, and other popular strobes via optical or electrical triggering (^[40]).

Key features included Nauticam’s patented port locking system, integrated vacuum monitoring and leak detection (standard equipment), a Multi Controller Pad recreating the camera’s sub-selector joystick, stainless steel handle brackets eliminating flex, and a 120mm port opening accommodating even the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G lens (^[41]).

Adam Hanlon’s month-long field review across 59 dives in Indonesia (both Raja Ampat wide-angle and Lembeh macro) found the housing entirely reliable with no adjustment or tuning required. He noted improved latch design that resisted clogging from black volcanic sand — a known issue with earlier Nauticam housings. The housing was compact but quite negative; with a 60mm macro port and two Inon Z240 strobes, five Stix floats were needed for neutral buoyancy (^[42]).

Don Silcock used the NA-D500 as his fourth Nauticam housing, initially with a Zen 100mm dome and later a Nauticam 140mm dome. After two years of use, he rated the housing an A overall, praising its reliability, vacuum system (“the sense of reassurance provided by that green light is just amazing”), and the Nauticam 140mm dome as an excellent complement to the Nikon 8-15mm fisheye (^[43]).

Sea & Sea MDX-D500

Price: $3,599.95 | Available: July 2016 | Depth rating: 100m | Weight: ~3,200 g

Described as “the most anticipated housing since the MDX-D300.” Featured Sea & Sea’s internal Optical YS Converter for TTL-to-optical conversion, redesigned ergonomic levers, luminescent buttons for low-light visibility, external diopter adjustment, and the ability to swap lenses through the port without removing the housing back. Equipped with two fiber-optic cable sockets, one N-type 2-pin connector, one HDMI accessory port, and sacrificial zinc diodes (^[44]).

Aquatica AD500

Price: $3,195 | Available: mid-July 2016

Machined from a single block of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy (aerospace grade), anodized to MIL-A-8625 Type 2 Class 2, and finished with polyester powder coating. Control shafts and push buttons in Type 304 stainless steel. Available in four strobe connectivity versions: integrated UWT TTL converter (optical/electrical), LED optical trigger, dual Nikonos bulkheads, or Ikelite connector. Included Aquatica’s Surveyor moisture and vacuum monitoring sensor. ISO control was placed at thumb fingertip for quick video exposure management. Compatible with Aquatica’s full line of dome ports from 4-inch (100mm) through 9.25-inch (230mm) (^[45]).

Community member Mark Gray (“Aussiebyron”) provided extensive first impressions of the AD500, noting it was physically larger than the AD7000 but slightly lighter underwater. He praised the vacuum system, metal construction, improved video switching, and ergonomic ISO lever placement. Port lock design and control dial pulleys were improved over the previous AD7000 (^[46]).

Ikelite D500 Housing

Price: $1,395–$1,595 depending on version | Available: September–October 2016

Ikelite offered three versions: a 200ft (60m) housing with legacy “Four Lock” port mount ($1,395), a 50ft (15m) “Water Housing” with new “Dry Lock” (DL) port mount ($1,395), and a full 200ft housing with DL mount ($1,595). The D500 was the first Ikelite DSLR housing to feature the new Dry Lock port system — a press-fit, O-ring sealed design that prevented water from entering during port changes and accommodated large-diameter lenses. The housing body was made from Ikelite’s white ABS-PC blend, formulated to keep cameras cooler in hot climates. All versions featured ICS-5 bulkhead and manual flash hot shoe, with optional TTL capability (^[47]).

The Ikelite housing was significantly less expensive than aluminum alternatives, making it an attractive entry point for D500 underwater photographers.

Seacam Silver D500

Reviewed: July 5, 2017

Milled from a single block of aluminum alloy with a “mechanically densified” outer surface providing the distinctive silver appearance and salt-water resistance. Interior lined with black velvet-like fabric to cushion camera and absorb moisture. Closed with two titanium “Safety Locks.” Harald Hordosch’s design philosophy emphasized clean, elegant controls to enhance creativity — the Silver range minimized control count by using dual-direction levers where possible. Controls included an AF-ON/ISO combined lever, exposure compensation/record lever, and multi-directional button set replacing the camera’s multi-selector. Featured M14 ports for strobe bulkheads and a new M14 port for vacuum system. Port attachment used full 360-degree threaded twist with bayonet alignment (^[48]).

Nimar NID500

Announced February 2018 as part of Nimar’s PRO Camera Housing range. Constructed of aluminum and resin, priced at approximately 1,750 euros. Featured 3x M14 ports and 1x M16 port, supplied with sync cable bulkhead (^[49]).

Other Housings

Community discussion mentioned Hugyfot and Isotta as additional housing options, with Isotta noted as a more economic choice sold through Backscatter, though with limited support infrastructure in the Americas (^[50]).

Firmware and Battery Issues

Nikon released firmware C version 1.01 for the D500 in June 2016 (^[51]).

Simultaneously, Nikon offered a free battery exchange for D500 owners using older EN-EL15 batteries manufactured before summer 2013 (marked “Li-ion01” on the back). These older batteries showed inaccurate battery life indicators and reduced shot counts when used with the D500, due to modified electric discharge characteristics in the newer “Li-ion20” versions. Proof of D500 purchase was required; Nikon covered all shipping costs (^[52]).

Back-Button Autofocus

The D500’s AF-ON button and the housing manufacturers’ implementation of it became a notable topic. Steve Simon published an article on PetaPixel about back-button focus on Nikon SLRs, with much of the information relating specifically to the D500. By decoupling autofocus from the shutter release, photographers could lock focus at a specific point or track moving subjects by keeping the button depressed — particularly effective with the D500’s 3D tracking mode (^[53]). Adam Hanlon considered back-button focus essential for reliable 3D tracking results underwater (^[54]).

Community Reception and Comparisons

D500 vs. D7200

Alex Mustard advised that the extra cost of the D500 over the D7200 was small relative to the total system price and worth it, though a secondhand D7200 system would be “very attractive” as an alternative. Jack Connick noted that cameras are typically the cheapest part of an underwater system, and the D500’s higher resale value would help recoup the difference (^[55]). Wolfgang (“trimix125”) reported that the difference in sharpness between the D7100 and D500 was “easy to see” with the same lenses, and praised the D500’s low-light capabilities (^[56]).

D500 vs. Full Frame

Adam Hanlon argued the D500 was not a “4th line” camera but a true pro body sharing D5 features in DX format, and that it would outperform the D800/810 or Df in almost all underwater circumstances. He stated that the D500’s phase-detect AF system was “a long way in front” of any mirrorless camera available at the time for macro/supermacro work (^[57], comments).

Don Silcock sold his D800 system to invest in the D500 after finding the D800’s buffer inadequate for whale photography in Tonga. After two years with the D500, he concluded it would “meet or exceed virtually all my needs” for the foreseeable future, even considering the D850 and emerging mirrorless options. He gave the D500 an overall grade of A and its autofocus an A+ (^[58]).

Housing Selection Advice

Community discussions on housing choices highlighted that Nauticam, Sea & Sea, Aquatica, and Subal were all considered comparable in quality, with Subal commanding a premium price. Ikelite offered a significantly lower price point. Factors influencing choice included strobe compatibility (particularly given the D500’s lack of pop-up flash), geographic proximity for service, and existing port collections (^[59]).

Third-Party Resources

Nikon authority Thom Hogan released his Complete Guide to the D500 in July 2016 — over 900 pages covering the camera in depth, available as a PDF download for $29.99. Hogan was “very complimentary” about the D500 but also noted that for the majority of non-professional photographers, the D7200 did everything they needed at a fraction of the price (^[60], ^[61]).

End of Life

By March 2022, Nikon had ceased supply of the D500, prompting Adam Hanlon and Alex Mustard to discuss whether this marked the end of SLR cameras for underwater photographers on their Wetpixel Live YouTube channel. They weighed the pros and cons of SLR vs. mirrorless and noted that the drive to make SLR owners switch systems was also in the camera manufacturers’ commercial interests (^[62]).

Don Silcock’s Mid-Term Assessment (2019)

After two-plus years of extensive use, Don Silcock published a comprehensive mid-term report rating each component of his D500 system (^[63]):

He concluded: “It is so easy these days to get sucked into upgrading to the latest stuff when you have not reached the limits of what you currently have.”

Timeline

• 2016-01-06: Nikon announces the D500 at CES alongside the D5 (^[64]).
• 2016-01-20: Subal announces ND500 housing, planned April release (^[65]).
• 2016-02-03: Nikon Professional Services UK holds hands-on launch event in Manchester (^[66]).
• 2016-03: D500 begins shipping in the US ($1,999.95) and UK (GBP 1,729).
• 2016-05-04: Alex Dawson posts first underwater test results with the D500 in a Sea & Sea D810 housing (^[67]).
• 2016-05-23: Nauticam ships NA-D500 housing ($3,500) (^[68]).
• 2016-06-02: Nikon offers free battery exchange for older EN-EL15 batteries (^[69]).
• 2016-06-14: Aquatica announces AD500 housing ($3,195), available mid-July (^[70]).
• 2016-06-23: Sea & Sea announces MDX-D500 housing ($3,599.95), available July (^[71]).
• 2016-07: Thom Hogan releases 900+ page D500 guide (^[72]).
• 2016-07-27: Mark Gray posts first Aquatica AD500 field impressions with extensive shark/turtle results (^[73]).
• 2016-08-20: Ikelite announces D500 housing with new Dry Lock port system ($1,395–$1,595) (^[74]).
• 2016-10-26: Adam Hanlon publishes comprehensive field review after ~8,000 images across Raja Ampat and Lembeh (^[75]).
• 2016-11-05: Don Silcock publishes three-week Azores review featuring sperm whales, false killer whales, and blue sharks (^[76]).
• 2016-11-11: Adam Hanlon publishes Nauticam NA-D500 housing field review after 59 dives (^[77]).
• 2017-07-05: Seacam Silver D500 housing reviewed (^[78]).
• 2018-02-15: Nimar announces NID500 PRO housing (^[79]).
• 2019-02-10: Don Silcock publishes mid-term report after 2+ years of use, rating D500 AF as A+ (^[80]).
• 2022-03-01: Nikon ceases D500 supply; Wetpixel Live discusses the end of SLR cameras (^[81]).

Wetpixel Live Coverage

The D500 was discussed in multiple Wetpixel Live episodes addressing the full-frame versus cropped-sensor question. Episode 15, “Full Frame vs Cropped Sensor Cameras for Underwater Photography,” examined the trade-offs between the D500 and full-frame alternatives like the D850, with Mustard and Hanlon noting the D500’s AF coverage advantage across the DX frame (^[82]). Episode 112, “Crucial Advice for Changing from Cropped to Full Frame,” addressed what D500 shooters should expect when upgrading to full-frame systems (^[83]).

Community Discussion

• Nikon D500 DX camera first impressions underwater (33 replies) — Early underwater test results including dome port comparisons and autofocus performance reports, with the first images shot in a Sea & Sea D810 housing before dedicated D500 housings were available (^[84]).
• Nikon D500 (20 replies) — Pre-release speculation and initial reactions to the announcement, with early recognition that the lack of pop-up flash would require housing manufacturers to implement LED triggers (^[85]).
• Nikon D500 and Aquatica AD500 first impressions (18 replies) — Detailed field report from Mark Gray covering camera and housing performance with sharks, turtles, and large marine life, with unedited JPEG samples (^[86]).
• D500 focus options underwater (30 replies) — Extensive discussion of AF modes for underwater use, with Adam Hanlon recommending AF-C with 3D tracking and back-button focus (^[87]).
• D500 Housing choices (10 replies) — Comparative discussion of Nauticam, Sea & Sea, Aquatica, Subal, Ikelite, and Isotta housings with user experiences (^[88]).
• Nikon Comparison D500 vs D7200 (9 replies) — Alex Mustard and Jack Connick advising that the D500 is worth the premium (^[89]).
• Nauticam NA-D500 for Nikon D500 (forum thread, topic 58007) — Discussion of Nauticam housing features and availability.
• Nikon D500 with Nikkor 10.5mm Test Shots (forum thread, topic 58423) — Lens and port combination test results.
• Nikon D500 macro (forum thread, topic 58773) — Macro photography performance and technique.
• Nikon D500 with Tokina 100mm Macro (forum thread, topic 58885) — Macro lens pairing results.
• Soft images with Nikon D500 and Nikkor 16-35mm (forum thread, topic 58660) — Troubleshooting corner sharpness issues.
• Nikon D7500 vs D500 Comparison (forum thread, topic 59818) — Evaluating whether the D7500 was a viable alternative.
• D500 or 5D IV, for AF, macro/wide, battery life and on-land use (forum thread, topic 60336) — Cross-brand comparison for dual-use photographers.
• Sea & Sea MDX-D500 TTL Converter with Inon Z240s? (forum thread, topic 60010) — TTL compatibility discussion.

References