Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Nikon D7500 DSLR ditches megapixel race for faster performance and 4K video

Nikon’s D7000-series is getting a speed upgrade. On April 12, Nikon launched the D7500, an advanced 4K-capable APS-C (DX) DSLR, targeting the advanced enthusiast photographer. Although the new camera has a lower megapixel count than its predecessor, it steps up the speed and low-light capabilities.

The D7500 bridges the gap between the D7200 released in 2015, and the company’s D500 DX flagship. It has an burst speed of eight frames per second (fps) with a 50 RAW  (14-bit) shot buffer (the max number of uncompressed photos the camera can shoot before it slows or stops to record them onto the memory card), a spec that slides right between the D7200’s 6 fps and the D500’s 10 fps. To reach that speed, the D7500 uses the same 20.9-megapixel sensor inside the D500, not the 24.2 from its predecessor. That megapixel difference means files from the D7500 are 5,568 by 3,712 pixels versus the D7200’s, which are 6,000 pixels wide. The D7500 uses the Expeed 5 image processor found inside the D500.

Recommended Videos

The sensor excludes the anti-aliasing filter for enhanced detail, a feature now typical with all new Nikon DX DSLRs. Nikon is touting the D500’s low-light capabilities among the camera’s top features. The D7500 has an exposure value of -3, and reaches an ISO of 51,200 (versus the D7200’s 25,600) and can be expanded up to 1,264,000. Having fewer megapixels means each pixel can be enlarged, which tends to translate into less noise at higher ISOs; low-light performance isn’t something that can be gleaned from a list of technical specifications.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Despite the drop in megapixel count, the D7500 is getting a stronger sensor. It allows the camera to shoot 4K video – a step up from Full HD. The camera can shoot compressed 4K UHD at up to 30 fps to the card, or can record uncompressed 4K when outputted to an external recorder via the HDMI port. Like the D500, however, the video files are short – the D7500 can shoot up to almost 30 minutes of video, but those files are recorded in up to eight separate files that need stitching. If shooting in Full HD, the D7500 can enable electronic Vibration Reduction and Active-D Lighting.

The D7500 introduces the new Auto Picture Control, a Nikon in-camera color profile that automatically reads the scene and generates a tone curve – essentially customizing the color profile on each image. Nikon says the D7500 has improved face detection, particularly with smaller faces and moving subject. The 51-point (cross type) autofocus system acquires focus on subjects quickly, Nikon says, especially when they enter the frame really fast. The camera also uses a 180K RGB metering system for more balanced exposures – a feature previously only available in the D500 and D5 – and can handle in-camera batch RAW-to-JPEG conversions.

For connectivity, the D7500 gains Bluetooth, which Nikon calls Snapbridge. The camera can automatically back up files (at a smaller two-megapixel resolution) to the Nikon Image Space cloud storage. The feature requires less power than Wi-Fi, although Wi-Fi connection is still required to download full resolution files and remote shooting.

Battery life is rated at 950 shots per charge, which beats the Canon EOS 77D’s 600-shot life and the Canon EOS 7D Mark II’s 800.

While the D7500’s body retains much of the D7200’s advanced design, including weather-sealing and a status LCD at the top, Nikon is bringing the touchscreen of the lower-priced D5000-line to the D7000-series for the first time. The hinge-style, 3.2-inch tilt screen is also touch sensitive, and, like the D500, can be used in Live View mode to calibrate the autofocus on the attached lens. Despite the addition of the enhanced screen, the D7500 is five-percent lighter than the D7200, weighing 1 pound and 6.6 ounces. The optical viewfinder has a bright OLED for easy-to-read info along the bottom.

The Nikon D7500 will sell for $50 more than the list price the D7200 had when first launched – a slight premium for what is a “baby D500.” Expect a release date of this summer, and

a price of $1,250�(body only)

or

$1,750 with the Nikkor 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR kit lens

.

Hillary K. Grigonis
Hillary never planned on becoming a photographer—and then she was handed a camera at her first writing job and she's been…
Cyber Monday Sony camera deals: Save on camera body and lenses
sony-a9-best-mirrorless-camera

There are a lot of Cyber Monday deals that are turning out some impressive discounts right now. This is great news if you’re looking to save on a camera, as Cyber Monday camera deals have some of the best prices we’ve seen all year. This is especially true among Sony cameras, as some of its most popular cameras are seeing discounts. We’ve tracked down all of the best Cyber Monday Sony camera deals, and you can find them all below.
Our top pick: Sony ZV-1F vlogging camera — $398 $500 20% off

Vloggers and content creators regularly turn to the Sony ZV-1F for their camera needs. It can shoot in 4K resolution, which is pretty impressive for such a small-bodied camera. And while it’s designed with some features that make it nice for filming with, this is also a quality photography camera if you’re looking for something small and pocketable. You can grab the ZV-1F for under $400 with this Cyber Monday deal, which is a 20% discount and a savings of more than $100.

Read more
Best Cyber Monday camera deals: DSLR, action cameras, and more
Canon EOS R10 camera mirrorless with STM lens attached and flash up

Cyber Monday has come and gone, but many retailers still have excellent Cyber Monday deals. This makes right now your last chance to get some early holiday shopping done or to pick up some tech for yourself. Photographers should be glad to hear this, as there are a lot of Cyber Monday camera deals already available. We currently see models discounted from top brands like Canon, Nikon, Sony, and others. You can also check out these Cyber Monday laptop deals and Cyber Monday tablet deals so you can access content on the go.
Canon EOS R100 with 18-45mm lens — $350 $600 42% off

Canon is a favorite among photographers, and if you’re looking for an entry-level camera from the long-time camera maker, the EOS R100 offers up $250 in Cyber Monday savings here. The camera itself has a 24-megapixel sensor that can capture beautiful photos and 4K video. You’ll also get three free months of iCloud+ with this camera, and the Canon RF-S 18-45mm IS lens.

Read more
Don’t miss the chance to get this 128GB SD card for less than $100
The Lexar 128GB Professional 2000x UHS-II SDXC Memory Card on a white background.

Your new purchase from camera deals will need storage for photos and videos, but you can't buy just any SD card that you see online. It's highly recommended that you invest in a high-quality storage device like the Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II SDXC Memory Card, which you can currently get from B&H Photo Video with a $75 discount on its 128GB version that brings its price down from $170 originally to a more affordable $95. You may want to buy multiples of this SD card while it's available for less than $100, but you'll have to hurry because we're not sure how much time is remaining on this bargain.

Why you should buy the Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II SDXC Memory Card
More devices are using microSD cards for expanded storage, but according to our guide on finding the right memory card for your digital camera, most DSLR cameras and mirrorless cameras are still using SD cards like the Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II SDXC Memory Card. Lexar is one of the brands that we wouldn't hesitate to recommend to photographers, and this SD card's read speed of 300 MB/s and write speed of 260 MB/s will enable quick transfers and smooth shooting. Additionally, as an UHS-II card, you won't have a problem with advanced functions such as continuous shutter bursts, rapid shooting, and raw and JPEG captures.

Read more