Nikon D7500 Hands-On Field Test

The Nikon D7xxx series of cameras have always featured a truly impressive combination of features for the price. The latest entry in this line comes right when mirrorless cameras are really impacting the low-mid range DSLRs. Does the D7500 have what it takes to keep photographers glued to their DSLRs? Chris Niccolls and Jordan Drake take a look.

Order the D7500 from The Camera Store:

Shot and edited by Jordan Drake
Shot on the Panasonic GH5

[ammoalamo]

OK, five years later, and this D7500 is still one heckuva great camera - for photographs. In 2004 I had thousands and thousands of dollars in film gear, from 18mm MF to the big 600/f4 AF. I gradually sold most everything and crabbed along with first-gen digital SLRs - with AF slower than molasses. But I recently re-entered photography at age 72. I wanted mirrorless, but the cost was just too high for me. I bought a used D7500 from KEH, Bgn grade, which was almost immaculate as happens so often with their grading system. I also bought the two new P series lenses, the 18-55 AF-P VR and the AF-P 70-300 VR, so both lenses take advantage of the fast new AF motor, plus the VR feature, though I paid extra to get the FF version of the 70-300 just to be prepared for some future upgrade possibilities. I was pleased that the D7500 still has the screw drive pin, so I can still use my great old Nikon180/f2.8 for low-light telephoto shots or even use it with a 1.5x TC. Screw drive is a feature I could not get with Mirrorless, and with the re-sale value of my 180/2.8 having gone down to just couple hundred bucks it would be a crime to not have an AF drive camera for it.

So far the D7500 shines in every thing Photographic, except Live View and Video, with some surprisingly useful extra features. The Hi Key and Lo Key modes produce great shots, as do many of the Scene settings, though its AF outdoors works best with a single central AF point.

It is a consumer's fun camera, not a pro tool, and because reputable dealers like Adorama, B&H, KEH and a small group of others properly evaluate, grade, and price good used examples, for regular consumers a used D7500 plus Nikon's two AF-P lenses - the cheap 18-55 VR and the more expensive full frame AF-P 70-300 f4-5.6, make a kit that will not need expansion for a long time, if at all. The D7500 is still way ahead of cameras costing two, three, even five times as much. It is convenient, too. Its pop up flash works well and works smart, unlike flashes of twenty years ago. Having a flash on-camera means you don't have to shell out $250 for a big flash, then carry it around, and fiddle with it, just to get a few shots in low light with a top-heavy shoe flash weighing you down. If you must have a big flash, the pop-up lets you set the big flash anywhere off camera, like in an umbrella, and activate it wirelessly with the pop-up.

The DPreview guys were (and still are) way too much into Mirrorless and Video even five years ago when this review was made. They should stop assigning them reviews of anything that costs less than three or four or five grand, because they became too elitist, too snide about any feature left out of an affordable consumer camera. They nitpicked so much at minor details that they failed to see the good in this fine camera. Perhaps they forget that photography for most people is about taking jpgs of people, places and things that interest them, and sharing the photos with other people, not setting up a vlog studio to get rich off YouTube, or trying to become a famous indie film maker. The articulating screen of the D7500 gets slammed for too-few dots, yet it is still perfect for checking Macro focus, even putting the camera on a rail and backing up incrementally to get a series of stacked shots. It's great for stooping over to get low-level pet pics, and anything else that calls for a level camera held below bend-over height, especially stuff that sits at ground level. With the two new AF-P lenses its AF is instantaneous, and silent; if there is something better I don't need it. Frame rate is plenty good enough, and since I m not tracking sports or fast cars I haven't had a chance to judge that. But a sports photographer who does not buy the latest and greatest camera body as judged by his peers get left behind, and won't be evaluating a D7500 anyway.

[andrzejjaniak]

First of all, it is not a professional camera. D500 is. D7500 is aimed at enthusiast photographers really. Second, in this constant race of camera manufacturers trying to squeeze in as many features as possible, we forget about the most important thing: image quality. And IQ from d7500 is amazing, this is the best apsc sensor on the market. And that's what matters to me the most.

[mortis]

I'm one of the few who does not hate the D7500, and in fact picked one up a month ago. I was coming from a D7000 and so far this D7500 beats the pants off the D7000 in every single way. The few features missing on it from the previous 7xxx series cams were not things I used much anyway, or at all. In my experience one of the best improvements on the D7500 is the grip. The grip depth is mentioned in most reviews but only as a mildly potential plus. The grip on my D7000 was the only thing I hated about it, even worse than my previous D90. The D7500 grip allows me a firm and secure grasp of the camera. I also frequently need to shoot at high ISO's and again the D7500 is so much better at all aspects of image rendition in this regard than the D7000. All in all this D7500 is a much more enjoyable shooting experience than anything I've used before, both in handling and image quality, and I've been an enthusiast photographer for over 40 years.

[martinXY]

Seems good for me. I am an 'enthusiast', I currently have a D5100 and am looking to upgrade. I can't quite stretch the budget to a D500, nice as it is. I've never had a card failure. I like the idea of a built-in flash, just in case... The differences between the D500 and D7500 aren't deal killers for me, and the similarities are attractive. I get that Chris isn't blown away by the D7500, and that's OK.
The price difference between a D500 and a D7500 would go into a new lens.

[peterzpictstube]

This camera is not a 7200 replacement, think of it as a companion to the D500 like the D90 was to the D300. For me this is a way better tool than my 7200. The addition of power aperture and tilting touch screen a much better video companion. Also the new meter having highlight weighting and face recognition would help me a lot. The grip and weight loss address the carry around slightly. I have never had a grip and really no need for the second slot. My only disappointment is the price should have been less than 7200 at intro since it is a less luxurious body. The D90 was half the price of the D300.

[TheHybridShooter]

This future set actually works for me, especially the sensor and handling, but the price really needs to come down, hopefully it will, since the people don't seem to be enthusiastic about it.

[DavidDatura]

The rear panel LCD is the same resolution as the one on the D7200, its just RGB rather than RGBW. Other reviewers have also said via direct comparison between the D7500 and D7200 LCDs that the former actually appears sharper! Also the body is plastic, but a plastic that incorporates carbon-fibers. With the D500 in the range for more pro oriented DX work (like the D300/D300s back in the day) the D7500 has been repositioned as a more affordable enthusiast camera, which is fine by me.

[Reskiy]

Lately I've been more interested in the photos and footage Chris and Jordan take than the camera being reviewed. Thank you for always putting the images first over specs and features! :D

[RadTwin]

I think you guys are the best camera reviewers on YouTube. Thank you for getting me through work everyday

[legoappleinc]

I love seeing such well produced videos shot right near my house

[nuohk]

Its a D7500 review but I'm more amazed by the look of the GH5 footage

[timur]

It's a crime you guys don't have more subs. Your reviews are miles ahead of any other channel on yt.

[Ranblv]

I think it's a decent compromise if you don't want to spend D500 money and you are invested in nikon glass.
Reviewers always compare to other bodies but not everyone has the time or inclination to move to a new system because at the moment it has some cool features.
You should always do cross evaluation. 1. if you are buying a new camera and 2. if you have d5600/d7000 and you are considering an upgrade.

[ASkywalker]

The sensor of this model is glorious. It's something that other brands in same range (dslr or mirrorless) DON'T HAVE.
I'm an Astrophotographer and for me this is the best aps c sensor for that matter.

[bogrunberger]

I knew it would pay off to get up early! Got up at 5 AM here in Denmark, and lo and behold, I notice a new video from The Camera Store! This saved my day guys. I love your videos!!!

[jariol]

I recently purchased this camera used for $300. I normally use a d500 here in Hawaii to shoot surfing. This camera actually is a great partner to the d500.

[stephen]

The review keeps making reference to activities and its use compared to what would be a professional camera. Its an AMATEUR camera. Discuss it appropriately.

You don't compare a Diana to a 500c/m simply because they are both cameras and use 120 film and expect the Diana to stand up to the Hasselblad in photographing a wedding or a business meeting.

If someone wants a professional DX camera, get a D500 for a lot more money. An amateur can do well with a D7500 and save the money for lenses or a trip.

[ilmammourtada]

I've just bought this cam. This is my first DSLR, and based on the feedback it seems more than great for me for hobby photography and also to start learning professional photography. Couldn't understand the downside points, but I find the positive outweighs the negative.

[AmirhoseinHerandy]

Oh my god that scene with the 2 benches is awesome! Jordan.

[djrbfmbfm-woa]

jordan is the best of YT's videographers, and i've seen them all. thx, jordan, and chriss. j.