Nikon’s new D500 dSLR really impresses, writes Izwan Ismail
SHOOTING fast-moving subjects such as speeding cars, swooping birds or movements in action sports can be difficult.
However, the new generation dSLR cameras are equipped with better sensors and ISO, burst rates, focus points and focusing capability, which enable photographers and hobbyists to catch the pace of action.
The Nikon D500 camera is a good example. The 20.9-megapixel shooter sits at the top of Nikon’s crop-sensor (APS-C) format camera with many of its functions derived from the flagship D5 professional camera.
This camera is considered the actual replacement of the D300s, which was launched in 2009, although Nikon introduced the D7000, D7100 and D7200.
HANDLING
The D500 feels reasonably secure with its deep rubberised hand grip. Its magnesium alloy body adds to the sturdiness.
Seasoned Nikon shooters should be familiar with the positioning of the buttons and dials, but some tweaks and additions have been made to make handling easier.
For example, the ISO button positioned on the top of the body near the shutter button makes it easy to change the ISO setting, without having to take the eye off the viewfinder.
Nikon has also made shooting at night or in low light conditions a breeze with the backlit function buttons.
Prior to this, I often had to use an external light source such as from my smartphone to search for the buttons when shooting in dark places. It’s like typing in the dark with a backlit keyboard.
Another improvement is the navigation of the focus point. A small toggle button has been added at the right side of the screen to make it easier to move the focus point with the thumb, and it comes in really handy when you want to adjust the focus point.
SCREEN
Like the D750, the D500 too has a tilting screen, but with a 3.2-inch, 2.36 million dots resolution. This gives users better shooting flexibility, especially at difficult angles.
What is even nicer is that the screen is touch-capable, and can be used to play back pictures by swiping on it or to enlarge them like the way it is done on the phones.
Besides that, the shutter is triggered by touching the screen and releasing.
TAKING PICTURES
The D500 is a very fast shooter and is currently Nikon’s fastest APS-C format camera with 10 frames per second shooting capability. The new EXPEED 5 processor does a good job in handling this fast shooting capability.
The camera has a big buffer for continuous shooting up to 200 pictures or 20 seconds. With a whopping 153 focus points, 99 cross-type auto-focus system and a pretty accurate tracking of subjects, this camera is made for fast-action sport shooting, as well as other sport genres.
Although it has a “crazy” ISO capability of up to 1.6 million sensitivity, I’m only comfortable shooting up to 12,800 before noise starts to show.
In terms of picture quality, this camera nails it. They are vivid and contrasting, what more if used with a good lens.
Videographers would love this camera as it comes with a 4K video capability, and the tilt screen helps in this area. The dual-slot storage — XQD and SD — helps with storing big files.
The D500 comes with the new AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR lens. The camera body can also be bought separately.
To connect wirelessly to mobile devices, the D500 has to be paired with a separate transmitter to enable the WiFi function. This is a letdown, as the D750 or even the lower-end D7200 and D5500 have a built-in WiFi function.
CONCLUSION
The D500 is certainly not for first-time dSLR users and suited more for advanced enthusiasts who want to upgrade from the D7000-series bodies, or for users of full-frame bodies such as the D4, D5, D750 who want a fast and capable second body.
The Nikon D500 is available at RM8,288 (body only).