Nikon D7500 Announced – 4K-Capable Crop Sensor DSLR

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by Fabian ChaundyApril 12^th, 2017

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Nikon has just unveiled a new 4K-capable DX-format DSLR, the Nikon D7500, which inherits the processing and sensor tech from their crop-sensor flagship, the D500. It will be available for $1,249.95.

The new 20.9-megapixel Nikon D7500 is the latest in their family of DX-format DSLR, the Nikon flavour of APS-C. It features several improvements over its predecessor, the Nikon D7200, the most important of which are its sensor and processor technology, which it has inherited from their crop-sensor flagship, the D500.

The bump up to the EXPEED 5 image-processor on the Nikon D7500 translates in an overall enhancement in image quality with less noise, an ISO range from 100 to 51200, and improvements in its auto-focus capabilities. The recording buffer has also been increased, allowing you to shoot up to 100 JPGs or 50 14-bit lossless compressed Raw frames in 8 fps bursts.

Nikon D7500 – Video Capabilities

All this is very nice for stills shooters, but what about the camera’s video capabilities? First of all, the Nikon D7500 is capable of 4K UHD video, a first for a DSLR from this manufacturer in this price range, coming in at almost half of the $2,000 price tag of the D500. With Canon’s 4K camcorders such as the Canon XC15 or the XC10 also starting around the $2,000 neighbourhood, it will be interesting to see if this announcement by the competition will shake things up in Canon DSLR-land.

The complete list of supported resolutions and frame rates is as follows:

• 4K UHD 3,840×2,160 / 30 fps
• 4K UHD 3,840×2,160 / 25 fps
• 4K UHD 3,840×2,160 / 24 fps
• Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 60 fps 
• Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 50 fps 
• Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 30 fps 
• Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 25 fps 
• Full HD 1,920×1,080 / 24 fps 
• HD 1,280×720 / 60 fps
• HD 1,280×720 / 50 fps

Actual frame rates for 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, and 24p are 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, and 23.976 fps respectively.

In addition, the Nikon D7500 is also capable of recording in-camera 4K UHD time lapses, and also features electronic vibration reduction to help with hand-held camera shake.

As is usually the case with cameras like these, video files are recorded to H.264 with a recording limit of 29m59s split across 4GB files, though the Nikon D7500 also allows you to choose to record to a .MOV or a .MP4 wrapper.

Other useful video-related features are the inclusion of a stereo microphone, in addition to a 3.5mm microphone input and 3.5mm headphone output. The body also includes a Type C — or micro — HDMI output, and the camera supports both internal and external recording simultaneously. It also supports Nikon’s power aperture for stepless changes in f-stop, making it easy to smoothly compensate for changes in exposure when shooting video.

Nikon D7500 – Input and Output ports

From a video perspective, the Nikon D7500’s price tag of $1,249.95 may make it a weak competitor against similarly-priced yet better-specced 4K mirrorless cameras. However, its photo features should spark interest in those that already have invested heavily in the Nikon F-mount system, such as photographers looking to expand into 4K video production.

The Nikon D7500 body will be available from next summer for $1,249.95, or for $1,749.95 with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR kit lens. For more information, check out Nikon’s press release.

Are you a Nikon shooter looking to get started with 4K? What do you make of the new Nikon D7500? Let us know in the comments section below!