The Camera Battle of the Century: Nikon Z50ii vs D500

In this video the Legendary Nikon D500 competes against the new speed demon Nikon Z50ii in an epic battle of Old Pro versus modern entry level cameras.

The Nikon D500 is a powerhouse APS-C DSLR camera, perfect for wildlife, sports, and action photography. Known for its speed and durability, the D500 features a 20.9MP DX-format sensor and EXPEED 5 processor, delivering stunning image quality and exceptional low-light performance. With a blazing 10 frames per second continuous shooting and a 153-point advanced autofocus system, it excels at capturing fast-moving subjects with precision and accuracy.
Designed with professional and enthusiast photographers in mind, the D500 is built tough with weather sealing, a magnesium alloy body, and long battery life for demanding shoots. Its 4K UHD video recording capabilities make it a versatile tool for videographers as well, offering excellent quality and flexibility for content creation.
The D500's tilting touchscreen makes framing and reviewing shots convenient, while its SnapBridge technology ensures seamless transfer of images to your devices for instant sharing. With dual card slots, including support for XQD and SD cards, it offers speed and reliability for high-volume shooting.
Photographers praise the D500 for its compact size compared to full-frame counterparts while still delivering pro-level features and performance. Whether you're tracking wildlife in challenging environments or capturing high-speed action, this camera is built to keep up and perform flawlessly.
The Nikon D500 remains a top choice for photographers looking for a reliable, high-performance DX-format camera that delivers stunning results in both stills and video. Experience the power, speed, and versatility that make the D500 a legend in its class.

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Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S
Davinci Resolve
Adobe Lightroom Classic
Luminar Neo
Apple Studio M1 Max
Apple Studio Display

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#photography #nikon #cameraman #photographer #camera #wildlifephotography #sportsphotography

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𝑭𝑻𝑪 𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒍 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒓
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𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑵𝑵𝑬𝑳 𝑩𝑰𝑶
I'm ZWade the ZWade in ZWade Photo and I pride myself on having the most honest, no BS photography content on my channel where you can laugh, learn, consume photography in live photoshoots, get the latest news in informative yet comedic format, or maybe fill that itch to see a review for or watch before you buy photography tech such as cameras, lenses, and photography accessories.

𝑺𝑶𝑪𝑰𝑨𝑳𝑺 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑻𝑨𝑪𝑻

[AnthonyMarkPhotography-keld]

I traded in my D500 for a Z50ii, I was just never using it anymore. I love that pretty much all the button customization and autofocus options are in there from the pro z cameras. With all that, it doesn’t really feel like just an entry level camera. I have a z5 for when I need the full frame look, but if I want confident autofocus without having to check all the time (which I have to do with z5) my z50ii does that well. I’d love to have a second card in it, but for events like weddings I’m always shooting with my z5 as well and sometimes a third camera. Plus I’ve done some events where I use the snapbridge app to save jpgs to my phone as an emergency backup. With those things in place, I feel covered.

[Mariosyjp]

The best camera is the one more fun to shoot.
What great advise!
I moved from D5500 to Z5 and the reason was not specs or sensor size.
It was how it felt in my hands and how gorgeous the viewfinder is.

[tedr]

Those who need a D300 and D500 replacements are bird and wildlife photographers, and in some degrees sports. If you’re not one, you’ll never understand.

[NemanjaVolvo]

You didn’t mention battery grip on D500? A very important thing when you shoot sports for a few hours and need extended battery life and comfort for your hand in portrait mode

[matthewatchinson]

I've had my Z50ii just over a week. Loving it. Very happy I traded my older Z5 in for it. I liken the Z50ii to be on par with Nikons DSLR 7000 series cameras: Semi professional, very specc'ed out and very capable.

[qnetx]

I use the D500 in extreme weather for wildlife and sports photography using long lenses. Weather sealing, a vertical grip with extra battery, and two card slots are important to me. If a replacement has those, and possibly Ibis with a slightly higher megapixel, I would buy it even if it cost double the Z50ii.

[ribargy]

I am shooting a D500 for the past few years. In my opinion, a D500 equivalent in todays mirrorless world would have to have dual card slots (at least one should be CFExpress type B), IBIS, all the AF detection modes, expeed 7 processor, and EN-EL15c battery. So the Z50II is not a D500 replacement in mirrorless terms.

[markrutledge-docmark]

Thanks for the excellent video. As a dyed in the wool DSLR shooter, I have NO interest, at all, in mirrorless cameras and lenses. I have what I consider the best, for me, cameras and lenses, and have no need to dump all the much loved lenses, and cameras, in order to get something that will not offer me anything worth replacing my current family of gear. Thanks for your great sense of humor, and for the interesting video! - Doc

[RichardFraser-yt]

The only direct replacement for a D500 is another D500.

The world changes and the performance of the Z50ii gets close in some ways and is vastly better in others.

[ggtelevision]

Good comparison and listing of the differences. I am still using my D500. It's my sports and wildlife camera. The last few days shooting birds. I use a Zf for FF travelling with a 24-120. I like both a lot. The D500 I pair with a 300 f2.8 Nikon most of the time and myriad other fine f-series lenses. I will continue using it as it performs when I need the reach. I am not a fan of eye focus and recognition modes at least on the Zf. I find them much slower than placing my focus point where I want it. Agree on video for mirrorless and you really do want IBS for that too. I have IBS on my Zf and I would want it on a D500 replacement. It really is compelling and would be more so with long lenses especially if using an adapter and my 300 2.8 for example as the light drops, which I can only say provides me with sultry backgrounds and separation. I do use auto ISO for sports and IBS might allow me to get away with a slower shutter and not as high an ISO. So, when my D500 dies my choice would be maybe an updated Z8 as I could shoot in DX mode for the reach. I can afford it but I am one who uses what works and doesn't change without a need. Right now, the D500 with grip and ton of lenses not leaving my kit when I hit the road.

[natedagreat]

The zf and z6iii can focus down to -10 ev thats wild

[geoffgibbsguitarist]

Last year I decided to dip into mirrorless and bought the Z6ii. Loved it, (and still do), for the photo quality and ease of use, but found it very bad when tracking say, birds in flight.
So was excited to hear about the announcement of the Z6iii with advanced AF and faster processing. Was lucky to hire one shortly after release, and I can't say that tracking birds in flight was that much better to be honest. Certainly not worth trading in the Z6ii for.
So if the new Z50ii is using the same AF/ processor, I will stick with my trusty D500 for birding.
Also I can imagine the lightweight Z50ii would be difficult to handle with a heavy long lens on the front.

[LoiteringReaper]

Very tech savvy smart to crop the sides for your comparison! Sub earned!

[tommoodie-cydr]

Just ordered Z50ii & z180-600 to replace my D7500 & Sigma 150-600, moving with the times and going mirrorless 👍

[roybixby]

I still love the buttons on the D500/D850/D5.
The Z50ii feels like a "first" camera albeit a very good one ... 🦘

[thebigfellar]

I'm glad I joined your channel like how you think. ""Coughs"" happily married 38 years ""Coughs"" True words "as long as it's still fun to shoot. Right on. So, true. Got to go study up on the Z 50-2 now. And the 500.

[mozzman]

The market for a Z500 is so inconsequential that it just isn't a priority for Nikon - people seem to forget the D500 was a failure in terms of sales. What I find most amusing is that 99.99% of the voices on YouTube pining for a Z500 wouldn't even buy one. Honestly, for beginners in that genre the Z50ii is everything they need and at a price you can't beat.

[thebigfellar]

I watched it. Now I'll have to research the 50-2 lol. I've already researched like #20 cameras lol. I'll be a camera reviewer pretty soon lol.

[babyboy]

I just bought a Zf (love it) and now seeking something smaller and lighter. I’ve invested in a fair amount of S glass. Will these lenses work well with the Z50II? Just at a crop FOV? I think I’m better off with the Z5. But the Z50 II is sure to sell well.

[danielosborne]

The Z50II is IMO better than the D500, and I have been wanting a Mirrorless replacement. Nikon is not getting my money on this offering, however. It is very close, though. If this had even a partially stacked sensor (preferably stacked), and a thumb joystick, I would be in. If I am jumping into mirrorless, I want the electronic shutter and precapture to work WELL, even if it is JPG only. If I was shooting events and people primarily, I would get this or the Z6III. But I primarily shoot wildlife. For now, if something gets my money it is the OM1mkii. I would prefer a Nikon (or Canon), and I will keep holding out. D500 is still chugging along giving me perfectly good results. That is one reason I feel like I can be as picky as I want!