Nikon D7500 First Impressions

Nikon announced the D7500 today! These are my first impressions.

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[gooberrobbins]

I bought the d7500 after my d7200 broke. I love it. Its faster, gives me more keepers as a bird photographer. I didn't have to learn a new layout coming from the 7200. It really is a nice compliment or replacement to the 7200 if you don't need the features that were removed. The d500 is more camera than I need. This hits the sweet spot between features and price

[umairamin]

I like the D7500 camera, seems like a good upgrade from D5300. I have been using D5300 for 3 years and now 7500 seems perfect to me. If anyone is already using 7xxxx camera than 7500 may not appeal them. But for 5xxxx this is a good upgrade

[Tiarpita]

I upgraded to the D7500 from my old D50. That’s right that’s what I said. I paid a grand total of $985.00 for the NEW body that included a quality 64G SD card, battery, and charger. It is fully compatible with all 3 of my older lenses.and I wanted the tilting screen and the 4K. I could care less about the dual card slot. Didn’t have one before and I have never had a memory card failure because I don’t skimp on those sorts of things. I was going back and forth between the cheaper 7200 and the 7500, but finally, the sensor and faster processor from the D500 that the 7500 has, the 4K video, tilting screen and Bluetooth made the 7500 worth the extra $200.00.

[gyozakeynsianism]

I think Nikon did a fine job with this high-end APS-C space (all those years ago now), having both a real pro D500 and a high-end enthusiast D7500. I upgraded from the D7000 to the D7500, skipping the D7200. Compared to the D7200, it has a faster shooting speed, better AF and tracking, much deeper buffer, and a flippy screen. And the grip is much deeper than on the D7200, which is a big deal for me.

If you need the super-hot (for that generation) AF and tracking and a second card slot (most hobbyists don't), get the D500, plus you'll get the pro ergonomics and other nice touches (like the OVF shutter for long exposures). Same if you never need or use the built-in flash common on consumer cameras (which are convenient for street or family photography but underpowered for many, many situations). I imagine that would most likely be the choice for someone like Leigh and Raymond (in 2017 anyway).

If you want a lighter body and a built-in flash (which can be used as a remote trigger for off-camera flashes), and don't need or want all those pro features (PC port, AF joystick, lit-up buttons), even today the D7500 is a great choice. Some of the consumer features (build-in flash, can accept old IR shutter remote) will also reduce total system costs if you're an ambitious hobbyist.

Unfortunately, Nikon removed the ability to do DoF preview on the D7500, a key drawback for (and something that still irritates me). It's totally something that could be added in a firmware update but they choose not to. The other thing that I really don't like are the D5x00-style linear lugs, which dig into my hands. Of course the D500 has both pro-style Nikon lugs (that get out of the way of your hands) and DoF preview.

I bought the D7500 in 2020 and it was the perfect choice for this hobbyist. I still haven't made the jump to mirrorless or even full-frame, and I'm pretty happy with how things turned out. F-mount lenses are still great and are starting to get cheaper as the Z mount system expands (I saw that Nikkor 200-500 for $1000 new for Black Friday). Personally I think it's a great time to be a DSLR hobbyist shooter.

[overdoseap]

I’m coming from a d3200. So it’s a great up grade for me. Love my new d7500. And why would you even need a 7500 if you own a 500. That’s going backwards. 🤷🏾‍♂️

[snowcat]

I've studied closely D7200, D7500 and D500 and I've chosen D7500. Now, after 1.5 month I can say that I love the camera. A GREAT camera, the best price/performance out there perhaps.

Why not D500: It's 500 bucks more expensive, it is larger and it is a bit too large, while D7500 is JUST great, it has no pop up flash that can be useful sometimes and I do not like that substitute for PASM disc Nikon is using.

Why not D7200: It's grip is much less comfortable, it has fixed screen (anachronism for me), I like it's colors less then D7500's colors, it's ISO performance is much less then D7500's, it has a small serial buffer and is quite slow (only 6fps), no group AF mode (which I use).

About D7500 drawbacks:
Battery life? You ever used a Sony A7II or A7RII? THAT is a small battery life. 950 shots from one battery is way more then enough!
Vertical grip? You really need it? Go get a Chinese one, they are producing them already.
Second card? Well... I've used cameras with a single cards for last 12 years. I've never lost a shot. I really don't see this feature as a necessity, more like something extra that is not actually needed.

What is REALLY missing in D7500? Fast speed of AF in LV mode. Yep. I came from Sony and slow AF in LV bugs me but not enough to scare me away.

Overall, D7500 is a great camera with outstanding IQ - solors, AF performance, , speed, details - it's all there in a very comfortable body. Love this camera!

[defebbor]

The D7500 is my third Nikon DSLR due to my lack of research into a DSLR for my needs so for me this is a complete upgrade from the D3300 and D3400. But some of the key features that seem to be left out on reviews such as this is the fact it is weather sealed and built rugged. It is the camera your gonna want in your pack in the back country in all weather conditions. Make sure you have a spare battery and memory cards and your good!!

[ernst-janvisscher]

Hi SnapChick,
Thanx to my dad I’m an avid reflex-Nikon user. From Revue with Pentax-K to a Pentax with auto-winder, we made about 15.000-25.000 klicks of diapositives together, during, holidays, special events like skiing, motor- and F1-racing, mountain climbing, sightseeing of caves and waterfalls etc etc.
Digitally I started with the D50-kit, because I knew: you’re either a Canon or an Nikon-user.
The D50 was a toy and when the D80 came out, decided to buy it and got some other lenses. After 7-10 years I decided to get a D5100 because of the movie-possibility and I loved it; made in 2 years about 10.000 klicks easily until it broke during a fall in my holiday, last year; did’ t notice much at start, but later on...
Checking for a 7100 or 7200 with double card slot (yeah!) would be great, but then I read about the D7500 - “stronger, faster, better” (6-million dollar man)
A D500 is way too pricey, (although I have bought a lens that was close to a current 2nd hand price) I just went for a D7500 after looking some YouTube’s comparing the 7200 and the 7500 -
- Speed photography is a must, so 7500 it is!
- I had a D5100 so a standard screen instead of a tilting screen would be a downgrade for me
- The second slot? I haven’t had it before, why now? I say: use quality cards and swap them after about 10.000 to 15.000 or use them as back-up for your holiday pictures. And I always carry a second card in my pocket for emergencies...
- low battery? 1.000 klicks and the battery is half way after a week? Time enough to recharge or take a second/third battery with a longer life/more power.
Even wit my sigma 150-500 with 3x zoom between it, I made more than 150 klicks per battery (with my D80 it went out after 30 klicks)
I’m really satisfied with my choice of camera, the D7500 and I really hope it lives as long as my D80!

[rpaquin]

I was going with the D7500 but then found out about the D500 and was totally amazed by its specs and the reviews! I received it two weeks ago and I'm so happy!

[DeletedDelusion]

All the big camera manufacturers seem more concerned about positioning their products, than looking for true innovations that would be of value for their customers. No wonder it's difficult to get excited about the resulting products.

[alestair]

I still shoot with my D7100 and forgive me but neither the 7200 or 7500 feels like a worthwhile upgrade, a step up would be to the D500, so apart from the buffer there isn't anything else that is considered major for me and what I shoot

[allencruise]

I shoot mostly bird photography for the past 4 years using D7000. While my current camera is enough, D7500 features like 8fps, slightly higher MP count (vs D7000), higher buffer count (vs D7000), -3 EV, 51 focus points and group AF are a real treat for me. These are the features that I wanted for my next camera upgrade. Shorter battery life and no battery grip contacts certainly are certainly big turn off but I can manage those. Single card slot is not an issue for me, look at Canon 7d and Nikon D700.

I'm no pro, just a hobbyist that enjoys bird and wildlife photography. Still having my thoughts on D500 but the entry of D7500 is a nice alternative for us hobbyist who are on a budget.

[klackon]

I don't think you are missing anything. I am a photographer and not a videographer; but as far as I am aware few people buy a Nikon DSLR for video, so who is this camera aimed at? I have a D500 and an Olympus EM1 mark II and I know which one I would use for video should I ever have the need. I am somewhat underwhelmed by the D7500 as I am considering a second Nikon body.

[unoengborg]

This is more of an upgrade to the D5600 than to the D7200. You would almost think that the person who named this camera was a bit dyslectic and switched the "5" and "7" in the name by mistake. Both the D500 and the D7200 would be better value for your money. Only one memory slot, is an absolute deal breaker for me. Memory cards fail often enough that you would not use this camera for something important such as a wedding. Giving it less battery life and at the same time not provide a battery grip was a really bad idea. So was the idea of not supporting AIS lenses, som of them are actually still in production today. I wouldn't really call this camera similar to the D500. Yes it's the same sensor but you are missing joysticks, thumb focus button, AF system and much more. Who in their right mind would buy this bummer camera at the current price point. I would have made sense at the same price level as the D5600 or slightly above but now it is just rediculous.

[pauldhoff]

I've had one card failure, I love that both my D7000 and D7200 have two memory slots.

[fomfom]

This will be brief. I will continue shooting on my D7200.

[DonaldWilkins]

I have the D7100 and in spite of its buffer...I just love it.

[Rev.DavidJTowns]

Love my d7500 -- yeah it has some minor issues but still worth the value

[stevestarr]

If the D500 (with prices already coming down) never existed, this would be an exciting camera. If this was a successor to the D90 and the D7000 series never existed, this would be an exciting camera. As things are....it's an odd duck. If one fell in my hands, of course, I wouldn't complain. But I'd rather wait for the D500 to drop in price a little more and get that masterpiece.

[bobcartledge]

The 7500 is, upon reflection, a budget-oriented step up for folk such as myself who have entry level Nikons. We want to step up to something more powerful but the D500, D750 and D810 are outside our budget. The 7500 is a base model 500 without the same kick, but with a hell of a lot more kick than the 3400 or the 5500. That being said, I think I'd go for the 7200 because it is fine what I want to shoot and with the 7500 coming out, the clearance discount is going to drastically reduce the hit to the hip pocket!