Nikon cameras have undergone an evolution over the years. From SLRs to new mirrorless systems, the company has come a long way. For instance, with the Z6 III, they have finally introduced a partially-stacked CMOS sensor, which helps photographers achieve faster readout speeds. Despite the introduction of newer cameras from Nikon, many users still rely on DSLRs. Although Nikon no longer produces these models, the hype surrounding certain cameras is far greater than that of others. In a recent trend, for instance, the Nikon D500 costs far more than it should. Here’s why this is happening.
The Nikon D500 now costs anywhere between $750 to $1,200, depending on the condition of the camera and the kit lenses. We looked at a post on Reddit (r/Nikon), where a photographer wanted to know if they should pay $880 for it. However, many argued that if one spends a bit more, they can purchase the Z50 II in its place. The latter APS-C is not only new, but also gives you mirrorless benefits such as EVF, and was launched recently. But as one commenter said in the post, “D500 is high because there’s really no replacement for it yet. Nikon hasn’t released a ‘pro-level’ APSC mirrorless. The Z50 II comes close, but it falls short.”
If you’re curious about pricing, our Editor in Chief just bought a Nikon D850 for around $850. For comparison, the D850 is a full-frame camera and often considered to be the single best DSLR ever made.
However, the D500 is no slouch. One of the reasons why the camera is driving up the prices is the lack of a professional APS-C camera from Nikon — with the R7 series possibly being the only other ones that matter besides offerings from Fujifilm. The D500 was launched in 2014, featuring a 20MP sensor, 10fps shooting speed, ISO sensitivity up to 51,200, and 4K video recording, among other notable features. The design is also great, which will make high-end shooters feel at home. It is sturdy, weather-resistant, and comes with a sculpted grip.
But the design and form factor are not the only reasons why the D500 is so important. It offers fantastic autofocus, and it is far more consistent than other brands in the same range. We found that even in low light, the D500 performs well, giving wildlife photographers a chance to never miss their shot. Similarly, the camera’s image quality is fantastic. As we said in our review,”Not only can it deliver very good JPEG images, but it’s also highly capable when it comes to both high ISO output and RAW file versatility.” The RAW files also allow you to recover details from highlights, and that further adds to their appeal.
The Nikon D500 is a professional camera, and despite the years, it still holds its own. Maybe, if the camera were available for $500, people would buy it easily. However, given that Nikon has yet to introduce a professional APS-C camera, the demand will likely help push up prices. If you can afford this one, then, as one commentator explained on Reddit, it is better to start with the “D7xxx series instead.” The prices are lower than those of the D500, and younger photographers can capture decent images without breaking the bank.
This further implies that Nikon needs to give a successor to the D500, especially since their APS-C mirrorless models need improvement. If not, then people will go after second-hand cameras.