Nikon D780 vs D850 vs D500: The Ultimate 2025 DSLR Showdown of Nikon’s Legends

In an era dominated by mirrorless cameras, Nikon’s D780, D850, and D500 stand out as DSLR legends that refuse to fade away. These three cameras represent the pinnacle of Nikon’s F-mount DSLR engineering – from the hybrid tech of the 24.5MP Nikon D780 to the all-around prowess of the 45.7MP Nikon D850, and the action-oriented agility of the 20.9MP Nikon D500. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dive into technical specs and real-world performance: sensor quality, autofocus prowess, ISO capabilities, burst shooting, video features, battery endurance, ergonomics, build durability, and price. We’ll also explore how each performs in wildlife, sports, portrait, and general photography, backed by expert quotes and primary sources. Finally, we’ll touch on the latest news – from firmware updates to discontinuations – and how Nikon’s upcoming mirrorless models might affect the relevance of these DSLRs.

Spec Comparison Table: Nikon D780 vs D850 vs D500

To set the stage, here’s a quick spec rundown of the D780, D850, and D500:

Table Notes: OVF = optical viewfinder shooting mode. Live view burst on D780 uses electronic shutter (no viewfinder). All models lack built-in flash and include headphone/mic ports and weather sealing.

As shown above, each camera brings something unique: the D780 blends DSLR reliability with mirrorless-like features, the D850 pushes resolution and versatility to the max, and the D500 offers pro-level speed in a DX form. Next, let’s break down these differences in detail.

Sensor Performance & Image Quality

Nikon D780: The D780 inherits a 24.5-megapixel backside-illuminated (BSI) full-frame sensor believed to be similar to the Z6’s, which means excellent low-light performance and dynamic range dpreview.com imaging-resource.com. Native ISO spans 100 to 51,200 (expandable to 204,800), and Nikon claims “excellent high-sensitivity performance at ISO 51200” with effective noise reduction nikon.com nikon.com. In real-world terms, the D780 produces clean, detailed images even at high ISOs; Imaging Resource found that “even up to ISO 12,800, the D780 produces good-quality files” with consistent grain and well-preserved detail imaging-resource.com imaging-resource.com. The base ISO is 100 (vs. 64 on the D850), but the D780 makes up for that with BSI efficiency. Its 24MP resolution is lower than the D850’s, but more than enough for general photography and easier on file storage and processing. For many shooters, 24MP hits a sweet spot between detail and manageable file size. Colors out of the D780 are pleasing – “excellent color…Nikon’s treatment of greens” stood out to reviewers, aiding landscape and nature work imaging-resource.com. Overall, expect very good to excellent image quality across a wide ISO range from the D780 imaging-resource.com imaging-resource.com.

Nikon D850: The D850’s 45.7MP FX sensor is a beast renowned industry-wide. With a base ISO of 64, it can gather ultra-clean data for maximum dynamic range in high-contrast scenes. DPReview lauded the D850’s “stunning image quality: excellent detail, dynamic range & high ISOs”, noting that at both low and high ISO settings the D850 performs fantastically imaging-resource.com. It’s Nikon’s first full-frame BSI sensor, meaning improved light gathering despite the high pixel count imaging-resource.com. The absence of an optical low-pass filter yields extremely crisp details (at the risk of moiré on very fine patterns). In fact, Imaging Resource stated the D850 “is an extremely well-rounded and versatile DSLR, one that’s up to the task for pretty much any photographic subject”, whether it’s detail-rich landscapes, architecture, or portraits imaging-resource.com. The dynamic range at base ISO rivals medium format territory, and the camera’s dual-gain design helps retain clean shadows as ISO rises dpreview.com dpreview.com. Native ISO tops out at 25,600 (expandable to 102,400 for emergencies) imaging-resource.com. While high ISO shots will show noise sooner than lower-resolution bodies, the D850 controls it well for a 46MP sensor. The trade-off for all that resolution is large file sizes and the need for sharp technique (or lens calibration) to fully realize the detail – at 45+ MP, any focus error or camera shake is evident. But when everything clicks, the D850 delivers images that can be printed wall-size. It was so impressively balanced between resolution and speed that DPReview flatly called the D850 “the best DSLR on the market today, and among the best all-around stills cameras we’ve ever tested” dpreview.com. That says it all – the D850’s sensor is a high-water mark for DSLRs.

Nikon D500: The D500 uses a 20.9MP APS-C (DX) sensor, notably lower resolution and smaller format than the full-frame duo, but it plays to a different strength. At 20.9MP, the pixel density is actually similar to the D850 (when the D850 is cropped to DX, it’s about 19.4MP imaging-resource.com), meaning the D500 can resolve plenty of detail for wildlife and sports while benefiting from the 1.5× crop factor (effectively “reaching” further with telephoto lenses). Its native ISO matches the D780’s 100–51,200 range (and like the D5, it offers crazy boost settings up to ISO 1.64 million, though those are more party tricks than usable settings) nikonusa.com nikonusa.com. In practice, the D500’s image quality is excellent for its class – clean detailed shots up through moderate ISOs and usable results in low light considering the smaller sensor. It can’t quite match the dynamic range or high ISO cleanness of the full-frame D780/D850, especially in very dark conditions, but many pros found it sufficient for action in dim gyms or dusk wildlife. Where the D500 shines is leveraging that sensor for reach and speed: a 20MP DX file is easier to push at 10 fps and write to card quickly (more on that in a moment). Notably, Digital Camera World points out that aside from resolution, the D500 “had the same processor, autofocus system and card compatibility as the Nikon D850 but at a much lower price” digitalcameraworld.com digitalcameraworld.com – meaning the D500’s images, up to a certain ISO, hold their own with high-end bodies. And if you do need more pixels, the D850 can emulate a D500 by shooting in DX mode (yielding ~19MP images and similarly fast burst with the grip). But for dedicated crop-shooters, the D500’s sensor hits the performance sweet spot – Resource Magazine and others even deemed the D500 not just Nikon’s best APS-C DSLR, but “among the best DSLRs ever made by any manufacturer” petapixel.com.

Takeaway: The D780’s sensor gives an excellent all-around balance and great low-light capability, the D850 is the resolution (and dynamic range) king that still holds up in 2025, and the D500’s DX sensor, while smaller, is optimized for speed and telephoto reach. For landscape and studio work where resolution and base ISO dynamic range matter most, the D850 still stands supreme (45MP and ISO 64 base). For everyday shooting, travel, events, and lower-light work, the 24MP D780 provides ample resolution with cleaner high-ISO output and smaller files. And for wildlife or sports, where you often shoot in good light and crop factor helps, the D500’s 20MP DX sensor offers enough detail while keeping speed and file management efficient.

Autofocus Systems & Burst Shooting (Speed Demon Section)

When it comes to autofocus and continuous shooting, these cameras target slightly different needs, but all three borrow tech from Nikon’s flagship pro bodies of their time.

Nikon D500: This is the action champion. The D500 was nicknamed a “baby D5” because it features the same 153-point Multi-CAM 20K AF module as the $6,500 Nikon D5 pro body dpreview.com imaging-resource.com. That means 153 focus points (99 of them cross-type for increased sensitivity) spread across a wide area of the DX frame – in fact, on the smaller APS-C sensor, the D500’s AF points cover almost the entire frame, which is fantastic for tracking subjects that move off-center dpreview.com dpreview.com. The center point works down to -4 EV (moonlight levels) and the system is rated to -3 EV at all other focus points dpreview.com, giving solid low-light focus acquisition. Critically, the D500’s AF tracking algorithms and customization are top-notch – DPReview raved that “Autofocus is the D500’s great strength: along with the D5 it’s the best we’ve ever used… the D500 comes and blows [mirrorless cameras] and its DSLR rivals all out of the water” in terms of tracking fast action dpreview.com dpreview.com. This means birds in flight, racing cars, or athletes – the D500 locks on and stays locked at 10 frames per second. Indeed, at 10 fps burst with continuous AF, the D500 can capture fast sequences with pro-level reliability. Equally important is the buffer: the D500 was among the first DSLRs with XQD card support, which, combined with a large buffer, lets it shoot up to 200 RAW frames in a burst without slowing petapixel.com. In practice, it’s almost impossible to overrun the D500’s buffer in RAW; photographers seldom have to let up on the shutter. This combo of speed + autofocus accuracy makes the D500 a top choice for wildlife and sports shooters who don’t want to break the bank on a flagship. As one wildlife expert put it, “the D500 is possibly one of the best cameras ever made for wildlife photographers and by far the best DX body Nikon have made” petapixel.com. It truly brought pro AF performance to the crop-sensor realm – a classic in action photography.

Nikon D850: The D850 also uses the 153-point Multi-CAM 20K AF system, and inherits much of the D5’s focus prowess just like the D500 dpreview.com imaging-resource.com. In the D850’s full-frame viewfinder, the AF points don’t cover as close to the edges as in the DX D500, but it’s still a generous spread compared to older 51-point systems. “It can’t quite match the outright subject tracking capability of the D5,” DPReview noted, “but it’s still an incredible improvement over its predecessor [D810] and a marked step above its peers during burst shooting” dpreview.com dpreview.com. The center point is -4 EV sensitive like the D500’s, and overall low-light AF is excellent. The D850 also introduced automatic fine-tune calibration and other tweaks to maximize focus accuracy for that 46MP resolution dpreview.com – because at such high resolution, even slight focus errors become visible. When finely tuned, the D850’s AF precision is “quite impressive”, even with fast lenses like f/1.4 primes dpreview.com dpreview.com. For burst shooting, the D850 does 7 fps continuously, which is respectable given the large files. With the optional MB-D18 battery grip and a D5-class EN-EL18b battery inserted, it can hit 9 fps and increase the buffer depth as well imaging-resource.com imaging-resource.com. At 7 fps, the buffer is officially ~51 14-bit RAW frames imaging-resource.com, but in testing with a fast XQD card, it managed ~170 frames (12-bit) and even 200 in some modes imaging-resource.com. In other words, the D850 can handle moderate action – sports like football or wildlife are within its reach, especially if you equip the grip for 9 fps. Where it falls slightly short of the D500/D5 is viewfinder blackout and target acquisition during very fast action; the mirror mechanism can’t quite keep up with a truly dedicated sports camera in giving a seamless feed of the action. But these are minor quibbles. For a camera targeting all genres, the D850’s AF and speed combination is stellar. Many have successfully shot birds in flight and racing with the D850. As Imaging Resource concluded in their D850 field test, “you don’t usually get ‘high-res’ and ‘high-speed’ in one package, but the D850 is capable of both,”especially with the grip boost imaging-resource.com imaging-resource.com. It’s a testament to the D850’s design that it can go from 45MP landscape shooter to action camera on demand.

Nikon D780: The D780’s autofocus is a tale of two systems: through the optical viewfinder it uses a 51-point phase-detect module, while in Live View it employs a 273-point on-sensor hybrid AF (lifted from the mirrorless Z6). This dual approach is unique and arguably the D780’s party trick: “a DSLR that’s learned a lot from mirrorless” as DPReview put it dpreview.com. Viewfinder AF: The 51-point system is essentially the proven Multi-CAM 3500 II (same number of points as the older D750/D810, with some algorithmic improvements). It’s not as dense or wide-reaching as the 153-point system in the D850/D500; the points cluster more toward the center and cover a smaller portion of the frame imaging-resource.com imaging-resource.com. However, Nikon did enhance it with the Advanced Scene Recognition System from the D5 and a 180k-pixel metering sensor (versus 91k in D750) nikon.com. Combined with the EXPEED6 processor and D5’s AF algorithms, the D780’s viewfinder tracking is more reliable than the D750’s was nikon.com nikon.com. It’s quick and accurate in decent light – focus reactivity and lock-on are on par with other mid/high-end DSLRs. The limitation is the coverage: fast subjects can outrun the AF area if they move to the far edge of the frame, requiring you to focus-and-recompose or anticipate movement imaging-resource.com imaging-resource.com. Within that central area, though, the D780 does well. It’s rated to -3 EV (and the center point to -4 EV, I believe, with an f/2.8 lens), so low-light focusing isn’t an issue. One omission: like the D850 and D500, the D780 has no built-in AF-assist lamp (older mid-range models like the D750 had one) – Nikon omitted it for better weather sealing and expecting users to rely on the lamp from an external flash if needed. Some users lament this in dark situations, but it’s a trade-off for pro-grade build dpreview.com dpreview.com.

Now, Live View AF: Here the D780 really leaps ahead of any previous Nikon DSLR. When you flip into live view (using the rear LCD), the camera uses 273 on-sensor phase-detect AF points covering ~90% of the frame, with face detection and Eye-Detection AF available dpreview.com nikon.com. This is essentially the same AF system as the Nikon Z6, meaning it behaves more like a mirrorless camera – capable of focusing across the frame and tracking subjects even toward the edges. In good light, the live view AF is fast and confident; it brings a huge advantage for composing via the LCD or shooting video (more on video AF later). In low light, the on-sensor AF isn’t quite as fast as the optical system and may hunt a bit imaging-resource.com imaging-resource.com. Nonetheless, the inclusion of Eye-Detect AF in live view is a boon for portraits – it will lock onto a subject’s eye and track it, something the optical AF cannot do. Reviewers found the D780’s live view AF “quite good” and especially appreciated the vastly larger AF coverage area imaging-resource.com imaging-resource.com. You essentially get the best of both worlds: the traditional through-the-viewfinder experience for action (with fast 51-pt AF and no shutter lag), and a modern mirrorless-style AF when using the LCD for more precise or creative compositions.

In terms of continuous shooting, the D780 reaches 7 fps with the mechanical shutter – identical to the D850’s base rate dpreview.com. Unlike the D850, the D780 can’t add a grip to increase that (there’s no provision for a vertical battery grip at all). However, the D780 does offer a trick: in live view silent shooting mode, it can fire up to 12 fps using the electronic shutter (with 12-bit RAW) dpreview.com imaging-resource.com. Essentially, when behaving like a mirrorless, it matches the Z6’s burst speed. There are some caveats: at 12 fps you lose autofocus between frames (locked AF), and in 14-bit RAW it’s limited to 8 fps imaging-resource.com. The buffer with mechanical shutter is around 68 RAW frames as noted (a big improvement over the D750’s ~15 frame buffer) nikon.com nikon.com, so the D780 is unlikely to choke in a burst unless you’re spraying wildly. For most action scenes, 7 fps with AF tracking and a ~68-deep buffer is sufficient. If absolute speed is needed, 12 fps (AF locked) could be used for things like capturing a golf swing or shutter-critical moment. Imaging Resource praised the D780’s responsiveness, calling it “an agile camera” that can shoot quickly and handle difficult conditions well imaging-resource.com imaging-resource.com.

Overall, in the AF/speed department: Sports & wildlife shooters will adore the D500’s 10 fps and uncanny AF tracking – it still competes with many mirrorless cameras for capturing fast action, especially with its near-instant blackout optical finder and deep buffer. The D850 offers a blend of high resolution and very capable AF; it’s the choice if you need big beautiful files and plan to shoot action occasionally (especially if you’ll invest in the grip to get 9 fps). The D780, while not a “pro sports” camera per se, holds its own: 7 fps is decent, and its AF is reliable in the center area. Plus, the ability to seamlessly switch to live view AF with eye-tracking can be useful for less erratic subjects or when composing at odd angles (for instance, shooting low to the ground, one could use the tilted LCD and on-sensor AF to track a subject where the optical AF might not reach). Each of these DSLRs was among Nikon’s fastest in its class at release – and even in 2025, they are more than sufficient for the types of shooting they target.

A quick note on manual focus: All three cameras have optical viewfinders with roughly 0.75× magnification for FX (D500’s 1.0× DX gives ~0.67× FX-equivalent). The D850’s finder is the largest and brightest dpreview.com, making it the most pleasant for manual focus or composition. The D780 and D500 finders are slightly smaller but still 100% coverage and bright pentaprisms. The D850 and D500 have interchangeable focusing screens (in theory) and offer focus peaking in live view (D850 only in video mode). The D780 offers focus peaking in live view stills mode as well, thanks to mirrorless tech. So if you use old manual lenses, the D780 in live view might be easiest (peaking + tilting screen), whereas the D850’s big OVF gives the best traditional ground-glass experience.

Video Capabilities

DSLRs aren’t typically the first choice for video in 2025, but Nikon made big strides with these models, especially the D780. Here’s how they compare for the budding videographer or hybrid shooter:

Nikon D780 (Best DSLR Video Option): The D780 is often touted as “one of Nikon’s best DSLR cameras for shooting video.” It can record UHD 4K at 24/25/30p using the full sensor width (no crop) dpreview.com, which means you get the full field of view of your lenses – great for wide-angle shots. It uses oversampling from 6K (since 24MP is roughly 6K in width) to produce detailed 4K footage. Importantly, thanks to the on-sensor phase-detect AF, the D780 offers effective continuous autofocus in video and live view. It can do face detection and even eye detection during video, resulting in smooth focus transitions and subject tracking that older DSLRs simply couldn’t manage. Reviewers found the hybrid AF “does a good job in most cases, particularly in good light” for video imaging-resource.com. In lower light, video AF slows a bit, but you still have tools like touch-to-focus on the LCD. The D780 also provides 1080p (Full HD) at up to 120 fpsfor slow-motion playback imaging-resource.com. It supports 10-bit output over HDMI with N-Log or HDR (HLG) profiles for advanced color grading dpreview.com nikon.com. That means if you connect an external recorder, you can capture more color depth and dynamic range, suitable for professional workflows. Internal recording is 8-bit H.264, but quite high quality. The camera even has built-in slow-motion modes that automatically slow 120p to 30p (4× or 5× slow-mo in camera) imaging-resource.com. Focus peaking is available in live view for manual focus pulls. One limitation to note: there’s a recording time limit of 20 minutes per clip in the highest quality 4K modes (apparently an odd quirk on the D780, versus 29:59 on others) imaging-resource.com. But this only matters if you need very long continuous takes (e.g. events or interviews), in which case you might use an external recorder to bypass it. Overall, the D780 is a legitimate hybrid camera – it’s equally comfortable snapping high-quality stills and recording modern-looking video. It essentially gives you the video prowess of the Nikon Z6 (which was Nikon’s first serious mirrorless video effort) in a DSLR body. If you’re a DSLR user who wants to dabble in video or vlog with a traditional camera, the D780 is the clear choice among these three. It even offers in-camera HDR video (HLG) for direct playback on HDR TVs nikon.com nikon.com. Combined with its excellent live-view AF, the D780 will make you forget you’re shooting on a DSLR when capturing video.

Nikon D850: The D850 was Nikon’s first DSLR to offer 4K video with no sensor crop, which was a huge deal at launch dpreview.com. That means you can use lenses at their intended field of view (the earlier D5 and D500 cropped 4K, limiting wide angles). The D850 shoots 4K UHD at 24/30p (no 60p in 4K) and does 1080p up to 120p for slow-motion dpreview.com imaging-resource.com. It has both mic and headphone jacks, and offers aids like focus peaking (but curiously only in 1080p, not 4K) and zebra stripes for exposure warning dpreview.com dpreview.com. It also outputs clean HDMI 4K at 8-bit 4:2:2 if you need it imaging-resource.com imaging-resource.com. The image quality of the D850’s video is good – oversampled from roughly a 8K readout (line-skipping might be involved but Nikon delivered sharp footage). In fact, switching to DX movie mode can increase sharpness slightly, presumably because it might use a 1:1 pixel readout in the center for 4K dpreview.com. However, the Achilles heel is autofocus: the D850 lacks on-sensor phase-detect, so it relies on contrast-detect AF in live view/video. That means AF during video is slow and can hunt or “wobble.” DPReview was blunt: “What’s really holding the D850 back is its poor autofocus performance when shooting video. It’s contrast-detect only, so it hunts.” dpreview.com dpreview.com. For professional videographers, this isn’t a huge issue since they often manual focus or use external focus tools. But for casual video shooters, the D850 won’t give you the polished AF pulls that the D780 or a mirrorless camera can. Many people using the D850 for serious video would treat it like a mini cinema camera – use manual focus or pre-focus, and take advantage of its other qualities (like lovely 4K image, great dynamic range especially when using flatter picture profiles, and that optional Nikon ES-2 film digitizermode to scan negatives using the 45MP sensor – though that’s more of a still feature). The D850 also introduced 4K time-lapse and even an 8K time-lapse mode (it can’t stitch 8K video in-camera, but it can shoot the frames for one) imaging-resource.com imaging-resource.com. The bottom line: the D850 is a very capable video DSLR in terms of quality, and fine for tripod/staged work, but it’s not the best for run-and-gun or situations where you want the camera to continuously AF during recording. Compared to the D780, it’s a step behind on video usability. Still, many content creators have used D850 footage intercut with mirrorless cameras successfully – it has the detail and the full-frame look (shallow depth of field with fast lenses) that people love in video.

Nikon D500: As a DX camera geared toward speed, the D500’s video features are a bit more limited, but it was actually Nikon’s first DSLR to do 4K at all. It shoots 4K UHD at 24/25/30p, but with a 1.5× crop on the DX sensor (so roughly a 2.25× crop relative to full-frame) dpreview.com. Essentially, the D500 in 4K is using only the central 3840×2160 pixels of its 5568×3712 sensor. This pixel-for-pixel readout avoids aliasing, but it means your field of view is very tight. A 10mm lens behaves like a 22mm, a 50mm like a 112mm, etc., when recording 4K. That’s great for telephoto reach (some wildlife videographers might appreciate the extra crop on an already cropped sensor), but not ideal for wide scenes. In 1080p, the D500 can use more of the frame (it offers 1080/60p, etc., and likely less of a crop). Like the D850, the live view AF is contrast-detect only – and on the D500 it was particularly rudimentary. It will autofocus in video mode but very slowly and visibly, which isn’t useful for active shooting (and there’s no fancy eye-detect or anything). On the bright side, the D500’s video quality itself is pretty good in 4K (sharp, good colors). It also has zebra stripes for exposure in video and uncompressed HDMI output if needed. But the limited 4K framing and lack of on-sensor AF meant the D500 was not a top choice for dedicated video shooters. It’s more of a “in a pinch” video camera – great for capturing a clip of a distant animal in 4K to supplement your photos, for example, but not the first pick for a short film project. As DPReviewnoted in their pros/cons, the D500’s video “4K quality is generally strong” but with caveats: limited lens choice due to the crop, limited video tools, and the autofocus that will “wobble” if you leave it on continuous dpreview.com dpreview.com. One cool aspect: because the D500 has a tilting touchscreen, you can pull focus by tapping – it’s slow but at least you can rack focus from foreground to background with a tap. Also, the D500 was given a firmware update to support CFexpress cards and atmo (to work with certain external recorders? Actually the firmware was more for card support) petapixel.com, showing Nikon did maintain it to some extent.

In summary for video: The D780 clearly wins among these for anyone wanting to do DSLR video in 2025. It essentially closes the gap with mirrorless, offering phase-detect AF, full-frame 4K, slow-mo, and advanced recording options. The D850 is second, with excellent video specs and quality, but hampered by contrast AF – great if you plan to focus manually or don’t need continuous AF. The D500 is fine for occasional clips, especially telephoto 4K shots, but is the most limited for videography. If video is a significant part of your work, you’d lean D780 (or consider Nikon’s Z mirrorless line, which we’ll discuss later). If you just need to record the occasional high-quality clip, all three can do the job, with the understanding that D850/D500 might require more manual effort to keep focus.

Build Quality, Handling & Battery Life

All three cameras are built to professional or semi-pro standards, with rugged bodies and weather sealing, but there are nuances in ergonomics and durability:

• Nikon D850: As the flagship in this trio, the D850 has tank-like construction. It features a magnesium alloy chassis and is fully weather-sealed against dust and moisture imaging-resource.com nikon.com. DPReview noted the D850’s body has “an impressive feel of solidity, and secure doors…with gaskets” that inspire confidence dpreview.com. It omits a built-in flash (as do all three of these models), which in older DSLRs sometimes doubled as an AF-assist lamp, but that omission further improves sealing. The grip is deep and comfortable, and Nikon even subtly tweaked the D850’s button layout from the D810 – for instance, adding a dedicated ISO button near the shutter release (a welcome change inherited from the D5) imaging-resource.com imaging-resource.com. The D850’s viewfinder is notably the largest 0.75× magnification finder Nikon has put in a DSLR, making composition a joy dpreview.com. The camera also introduced illuminated buttons (handy for night shoots) dpreview.com. Overall handling is excellent: it’s a big camera (approx 1000g with battery) and balances well with large lenses. Users coming from a D800/D810 will find it familiar, just refined. Notably, some commented that the D850 (and D500) don’t feel quite as overbuilt as older Nikon film-era tanks (like the D700/D3 series) – a DPR comment mentioned the D850 is “good, but not as dense” as a D800, due to a bit of weight reduction and possibly different alloy mix dpreview.com. But make no mistake, the D850 is built for heavy professional use; thousands of photographers have dragged it through rain, snow, desert, and jungles with no issues. It was even used for projects like 8K time-lapse in harsh conditions, thanks to that robustness imaging-resource.com. The shutter is rated for 200,000 actuations (standard for pro bodies) and is reasonably quiet for its class (and offers an electronic front-curtain mode to minimize shutter shock in live view).
• Nikon D500: The D500, though cheaper, was designed as a pro DX body – essentially a mini flagship. It also has a magnesium alloy frame with Kevlar/carbon fiber composite in some parts to reduce weight dpreview.com. It’s extremely solid and significantly heavier and larger than typical APS-C cameras (it’s actually slightly bigger than the full-frame D780). The build inspires confidence; DPReview’s team accidentally drop-tested a D500 and noted it’s “rugged as you like” and survived the fall fine dpreview.com dpreview.com. It’s fully weather-sealed to a level on par with high-end bodies – many wildlife shooters have used D500 in rainforests and on safari without issue. The D500 has some “pro touches” that the D7xx series lacked at the time: for instance, it was the first Nikon DX with illuminated buttons for night use, it has the AF joystick for selecting focus points (the D850 and later D780 also have this), and it even introduced SnapBridge Bluetooth connectivity (though SnapBridge was quirky early on) dpreview.com dpreview.com. The control layout is very similar to the D850’s: lots of direct buttons and dials, and highly customizable. “The D500’s ergonomics are superb… Most key functions are at your fingertips, with a suitable number of customizable buttons,” says DPReview, highlighting how well thought-out the controls are for fast operation dpreview.com dpreview.com. The grip is deep and comfortable; the camera feels balanced with anything from a 16-80mm DX zoom to a 500mm F4 (especially with the optional battery grip attached for vertical shooting). Weighing ~760g (body only) nikonusa.com, the D500 is lighter than the D850 but still has that satisfying heft. One minor gripe: like the D850, it has no built-in flash/AF lamp, which some mid-range DX users coming from say a D7200 noticed, but any serious shooter likely uses external flash or none at all. Overall, the D500’s build is pro-grade in all but name – Nikon intended it for working photographers who needed speed and durability in a smaller sensor format. Even as of 2022 when it was discontinued, people praised it as a “featherweight champion”for taking a beating while capturing wildlife richardpeters.co.uk.
• Nikon D780: The D780 sits in the “enthusiast full-frame” category, essentially replacing the D750. Nikon didn’t skimp on build here: the D780 has a magnesium alloy top and rear, with a carbon fiber composite front, resulting in a sturdy but slightly lighter body than if it were all-metal imaging-resource.com. It’s weather-sealed to a high degree – Nikon promotes its “monocoque” structural design and sealing, stating that each joint and seam is effectively gasketed for dust and drip resistance nikon.com. In practice, users report the D780 feels very much like a smaller D850 or a beefed-up D750. It weighs about 840g with battery, splitting the difference between the heavier D850 and lighter older D750. The camera removed the pop-up flash that the D750 had, specifically to improve durability and sealing (and likely because pros seldom use pop-up flash) imaging-resource.com. The handling is excellent: it keeps that comfortable deep grip the D750 was loved for, and control layout is familiar. One nice update, as mentioned, is the inclusion of the AF-point joystick (sub-selector) on the back, which the D750 lacked – this makes moving focus points through the viewfinder much faster and is a favorite of pro Nikon users. The D780 also got the dedicated ISO button near the shutter release (like D850/D500 have) imaging-resource.com, which again speeds up operation. The 3.2” rear LCD is tilting and now touch-enabled with higher resolution than the D750’s, making live view and menu navigation easier imaging-resource.com imaging-resource.com. One noted omission: no built-in flash (as stated), which also means no built-in AF assist lamp. While the D750 and earlier D7xx models had a popup flash that could emit a focus-assist strobe, the D780, like its more expensive siblings, relies on the improved low-light sensitivity of its AF sensors (and possibly the optional external flash’s AF lamp) instead. The viewfinder is bright pentaprism ~0.70× mag – a slight step down from D850’s huge finder, but still very nice. Many enthusiasts and pros using the D780 appreciate that it feels like a true successor to the D750 in hand, with a bit more heft and a more “pro” control layout. It’s a camera you can confidently take to a wedding, hike, or travel assignment without worry.

Battery Life: One of the joys of DSLRs (vs today’s mirrorless) is their long battery life, and these cameras demonstrate that in spades:

• The D780 absolutely excels here: CIPA-rated for 2,260 shots per charge on its EN-EL15b battery dpreview.com nikon.com. That number is achieved through optical viewfinder shooting; if you use live view a lot, you’ll get fewer shots, but still far more than mirrorless cameras typically yield. In real-world terms, many users can shoot multiple days on one battery with the D780. One field tester said you can “easily shoot all day with a single battery in most cases” imaging-resource.com. The D780 also supports in-camera USB charging (with the EN-EL15b/C variants), which is convenient on the go imaging-resource.com.
• The D850 has a CIPA rating of ~1,840 shots on its EN-EL15a battery imaging-resource.com dpreview.com. This is still excellent – about double what high-end mirrorless cameras often get. And if that’s not enough, popping on the battery grip with an EN-EL18c (from a D5/D6) not only boosts frame rate but raises battery life dramatically: Nikon quoted over 5,000 shots on one charge with that setup imaging-resource.com (some sources say ~5140 shots, and 145 minutes of video) imaging-resource.com imaging-resource.com. Without the grip, 1840 shots will easily get most through a day or two of shooting. (As always, CIPA numbers are conservative; if you don’t chimp much or use power-saving, you might squeeze more).
• The D500 uses the same EN-EL15 battery (initially the older version) and is rated around 1,240 shots per charge nikonusa.com. That’s a bit lower than the full-frames, partly because the D500’s high frame rate and SnapBridge can consume more power. Still, 1240 shots is solid. The D500 also had an optional battery grip (MB-D17) which could use an EN-EL18 series battery with a different door (similar to the D850’s) – with that, you could likely double or triple the shot count and shoot at 10 fps for extended bursts without worrying about power. One note from reviewers: the D500 had a “quirky battery usage” issue where SnapBridge (the always-on Bluetooth) could drain battery if not managed – some recommended using Airplane mode when not actively transferring images dpreview.com dpreview.com. Firmware updates improved SnapBridge over time, but it’s good to be aware. In the field, many wildlife shooters carry a spare battery or two but rarely needed to swap mid-day unless doing intense burst shooting.

In sum, all three have far better endurance than typical mirrorless bodies. If you value being able to shoot hundreds or thousands of frames without worrying about a battery change, DSLRs still hold an edge. For event shooters or travelers, this can be a big practical advantage – for example, you might get through an entire wedding on one or two batteries with a D850 or D780, whereas a mirrorless might require several swaps.

Miscellaneous Handling Notes:

• Dual Card Slots: We covered this in the table: The D780 is dual SD (UHS-II, finally both slots support fast UHS-II speeds). The D850 and D500 both have one XQD/CFexpress slot and one UHS-II SD slot nikonusa.com nikonusa.com. This combo was somewhat controversial because XQD cards, while extremely fast and robust, were expensive, and mixing slot types means if you write backups, you’re limited by the slower SD speed. However, by 2025, CFexpress Type B (which both the D850 and D500 now support via firmware dpreview.com uglyhedgehog.com) has become more common and prices are coming down. Those cards make the D850/D500 very future-proof for heavy shooting (since CFexpress can be several times faster than XQD even). Meanwhile, dual SD on D780 means cheaper media and easier to find, but not quite the same speed for clearing big bursts (UHS-II tops out around 250-300 MB/s, whereas CFexpress can do 1,000+ MB/s). For most uses, dual SD is perfectly fine on the D780, especially with 24MP files.
• Screens & Viewfinders: All three have a 3.2” tilting rear LCD (great for low or high angle shots). All are touch-sensitive, allowing menu navigation and pinch-to-zoom on images, etc. The D780’s screen is the newest and highest resolution (2.36M-dot) dpreview.com, though the D850’s is essentially the same spec. The D500’s might be slightly lower res (I believe it was 2.36M as well, which is high). The touch interface on all is mostly for playback and AF point selection in live view – Nikon didn’t allow touch-menu on the D500 at first, but by D850 and D780, the menus can be operated by touch too. The optical viewfinders: D850’s is biggest; D500’s has the unique trait of being 1.0× in DX, which is nice and large for a crop camera (similar apparent size to a 0.7× FX VF); D780’s is solid but unremarkable.
• Shutters & Shooting Experience: The D500 and D850 have very minimal viewfinder blackout and a crisp mirror action (the D850 in quiet mode can use EFCS to reduce shock). The D780’s shutter sound is a bit quieter (no built-in flash means a more damped mirror slap compared to the D750). All have 1/8000s max shutter and can flash-sync up to 1/250 (D500 maybe 1/200, and 1/250 on D850/D780, or vice versa; plus high-speed sync with flashes). The D780 uniquely can do up to 900-second exposures in camera (15 minutes) without an external remote dpreview.com nikon.com, which is great for astrophotographers – the others need bulb mode beyond 30s.
• Connectivity: Each has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The D500 introduced SnapBridge (Bluetooth LE for automatic image transfer to phone) – it was a bit flaky early on dpreview.com, but improved. The D850 also has SnapBridge (with added ability to transfer RAW over Wi-Fi on demand). The D780, being newer, has the latest SnapBridge version with Wi-Fi that can even transfer videos and RAWs, remote control, etc. While not the headline feature, it’s nice that all three can interface with smartphones for sharing photos on the go, if configured.

To wrap up build & handling: none of these will disappoint. The D850 feels like the premium flagship with every bell and whistle (aside from built-in GPS which none have, and that some Canon equivalents did). The D500 feels like a pared-down sports car – robust and practical. The D780 feels like a modernized workhorse – a true all-rounder built to last, yet refined for comfort. Nikon clearly put a lot of thought into making these cameras durable tools for photographers. Imaging Resource’s summary of the D780 fits all three in sentiment: “The Nikon D780 is another great DSLR… well-designed, rugged body… the camera delivers strong performance across the board. If a new DSLR is what you want, the Nikon D780 is a great option.” imaging-resource.com. You could substitute D850 or D500 in that quote and few would disagree, depending on your needs.

Performance in Wildlife & Sports Photography

One of the key differentiators between these models is how well they handle wildlife and sports shooting – fast action, moving subjects, often in challenging light or at a distance. Let’s compare:

• Nikon D500 – Wildlife/Sports Specialist: The D500 was practically made for this. With its 10 fps burst, incredibly sticky 153-point AF system, and the 1.5× crop factor, it excels at capturing birds, animals, and athletes. Wildlife shooters often pair the D500 with telephoto lenses like the 200-500mm, 500mm f/5.6 PF, or 300mm f/2.8, effectively getting more reach (e.g., a 500mm on D500 gives field of view like a 750mm on full frame). This extra “reach” (more pixels on target for distant subjects) is a huge advantage in genres like bird photography. As Richard Peters (wildlife photographer) wrote, “the D500 is possibly one of the best cameras ever made for wildlife… by far the best DX body Nikon [has] made. A classic in the making!” petapixel.com. Its autofocus can track erratic subjects (birds in flight, running deer) with ease, and the deep buffer means you won’t miss critical moments due to buffering. The camera’s ruggedness also means you can trek with it in rough terrain or bad weather worry-free. The only downsides relative to the others: lower resolution (if you need to crop further, 20MP gives a bit less room than 45MP D850 – though the crop factor largely compensates), and low-light performance – in dark forests or dusk games, the D500’s APS-C sensor will show noise a stop or so earlier than the full-frames. However, the D500’s usable ISO goes up to 3200, 6400, even 12800 in a pinch for action – and getting a sharp, well-composed shot at high ISO is better than a blurry low-ISO shot. Sports shooters also loved the D500 for similar reasons: on a budget, you could use a D500 instead of, say, a D5, and still capture high-speed action. For example, for daytime field sports or indoor sports with decent lighting, the D500 holds its own. Digital Camera World called the D500 “a game changer for anyone shooting sports and wildlife… offering the perfect balance of speed, resolution and crop factor” digitalcameraworld.com digitalcameraworld.com. It was so good that some pros who had moved to full-frame returned to a DX body for the D500’s advantages digitalcameraworld.com digitalcameraworld.com. In 2025, although the D500 is discontinued, it remains a favorite for wildlife – unless you’ve moved to a mirrorless like the Nikon Z9, there are few DSLRs that match the D500’s blend of speed and reach.
• Nikon D850 – High-Resolution Versatility: One wouldn’t immediately label the 45MP D850 a “sports camera”, yet it has proven itself as a superb wildlife and even action camera in the hands of many photographers. At 7 fps (or 9 fps with grip), it’s fast enough for a lot of action scenarios. The same 153-point AF ensures you have top-tier tracking. Where the D850 shines for wildlife is in situations where maximum detail is desired – e.g., a bird perched in good light, or a landscape with animals where you might want to crop heavily or make large prints. With the D850 you can crop into the DX area (essentially using it like a 19MP D500) and still have very usable shots. Or, if you can get closer, you get a 45MP file that shows every feather or whisker. This made the D850 very popular with wildlife photographers who print large or submit to magazines, because it delivered both quantity and quality of pixels. One trade-off: the files are big, so managing bursts requires high-capacity cards and possibly more frequent culling. But as long as your workflow can handle it, the payoff is incredible images. For sports, the D850 was often used in arenas and events where lighting was good and resolution could be an asset (e.g., capturing a whole scene and then cropping different moments out). It might miss the absolute fastest sequences that a 12 fps or 14 fps camera (like Canon 1DX or Nikon D5) could nail, but many sports don’t actually require the highest frame rates. 7-9 fps covers most needs, from basketball drives to runners crossing a finish line. The D850’s buffer at 9 fps is a bit limited (~51 shots in RAW as mentioned), so a sports shooter might opt to shoot JPEG or 12-bit RAW to extend that if needed. But realistically, a burst of 50 shots at 9 fps is over 5 seconds long – rarely would you hold the shutter that duration continuously in sports. Thom Hogan (a respected Nikon commentator) noted that “no other DSLR has come as close [to perfection] as the D850”, because it can do landscapes one day, and action the next, without significant compromise dpreview.com dpreview.com. If you absolutely need the best of both worlds – high resolution and high performance – the D850 is it (unless you go mirrorless Z9). However, for predominantlywildlife/action shooters, many still lean to the D500 or a D5/D6 because of the weight and cost factors. The D850 demands top glass to get the best of those 45MP for action (fast super-telephotos, which are heavy). Carrying a D850 with a 600mm f/4 through the savannah is a workout; some prefer a D500 with a 300mm f/2.8 + teleconverter as a lighter alternative. But if you can manage, the results from the D850 in wildlife are breathtaking. One real example: A D850 shot of a flying bird allows you to crop in and still identify every fine plumage detail, or even create multiple compositions from one frame (like one full-body shot and one close-up of the head) without quality loss. This flexibility is unmatched by the other two cameras here.
• Nikon D780 – Capable All-Rounder: The D780, while not explicitly positioned as a sports camera, is very much a generalist that can handle some action. With 7 fps and the older 51-point AF, it’s basically on par with what professional sports DSLRs were a decade ago (e.g., Nikon D3 was 9 fps with a similar 51pt AF; D700 was 8 fps). So you can shoot wildlife and sports with the D780, especially if you’re upgrading from a lower tier – it will feel snappy and accurate. The limitation is the AF coverage and slightly less sophisticated tracking compared to the 153pt system. If a bird or athlete stays within that central 51-point area, the D780 can track them quite well; if they veer toward the frame edge, you may need to manually recompose or rely on focus-and-reframe techniques. In scenario-based terms: Birds in flight – the D780 can capture slower or closer birds fine, but fast erratic small birds might slip out of the focus zone more easily than on a D500/D850. Wildlife on the move – for larger animals (deer, safari animals, etc.), the D780 is perfectly competent; its 7 fps and good high ISO might actually make it a better low-light safari camera than the D500 (the FX sensor gives you cleaner shots at dusk). Sports – for casual sports or those where you can anticipate movement (say, tennis, or track), the D780’s AF is plenty. It might struggle with something like soccer or basketball where subjects move unpredictably across the frame – here the broader AF of the other two helps. One secret weapon of the D780 for certain situations is its live view AF with Eye-Detect. Imagine you’re shooting a relatively predictable sport or wildlife scenario where using the rear screen is feasible (or you’re on a tripod). The D780 can leverage its 273-point AF to track subjects to the edges. For example, maybe you’re photographing birds at a feeder: you could use live view, tap on a bird, and let the camera track it across the frame with the silent 12 fps electronic shutter – essentially acting like a mirrorless Z6 to grab the action. This wouldn’t work for very fast random action, but for some scenarios it’s an interesting option (with the caveat of possible rolling shutter distortion at 12 fps e-shutter on fast movement). Still, in the optical viewfinder realm, the D780 is reliable but not specialized for action. In a pinch, it will do the job; many wedding photographers who occasionally shoot fast dancing or sports on weekends won’t find it lacking. But if someone’s main focus is wildlife/sports, they would likely choose D500 or D850 over the D780. That said, a D780 owner could invest the difference in a better telephoto lens, which in wildlife can sometimes matter more – e.g., a D780 with a 500mm f/5.6 PF lens might yield “better” wildlife shots than a D500 with a cheaper 70-300mm, simply due to optics and reach. So one must consider the system as a whole.

Bottom line for Wildlife/Sports: The D500 still stands out as Nikon’s APS-C speed machine – affordable, long-reaching, fast-focusing – ideal for birds, distant wildlife, and fast sports under decent light. The D850 is the no-compromise choice if budget and weight allow: you gain the option of extreme detail and big prints along with high performance; it’s like having two cameras in one (high-res and action). The D780 is competent for moderate action and shines if your shooting is mixed (some action, some portraits, etc.) and you value low-light performance. But if someone specifically asked “I primarily shoot birds and sports, which should I get?”, one would likely recommend the D500 (for cost/speed) or D850 (for versatility) before the D780. Conversely, if the question was “I occasionally shoot action but mostly other things,” the D780’s balance could be appealing.

One more note: buffer and memory – for extended sequences like spraying a whole football play, the D500 with its 200 RAW buffer petapixel.com wins. The D850 can do about 7 seconds at 7 fps (50 RAW), which is usually enough. The D780 can do ~68 RAW which at 7 fps is ~9.7 seconds – actually a bit better than the D850 in that sense. So the D780 won’t stall quickly either. And in JPEG, all will go on much longer. So all three can handle long bursts if needed, with the D500 being the best.

Performance in Portraits & Studio (and General Use)

Shifting to a different pace: portraits, studio work, landscapes, and everyday general photography – here the considerations include resolution, dynamic range, skin tone rendering, ease of use, and so on.

Portraits & Studio: Typically, portraits favor high image quality, reliable focus on the subject’s eyes, and often shallow depth of field (hence full-frame advantage).

• The Nikon D850 is a portrait powerhouse. Its 45MP sensor captures incredible detail – which can be both a blessing and a curse for portraits (every eyelash and pore is rendered, so some retouching might be needed for close-ups!). But having that detail means you can make big prints or crop creatively. The D850’s base ISO 64 also allows ultra-clean files and use of fast primes wide open even in bright light without hitting ISO base limit. In studio settings, the D850’s resolution is a major advantage for commercial or fashion work. The rich 14-bit RAW files hold up to extensive post-processing, which studio shooters love. The autofocus, when paired with eye-detecting flashes or simply using single-point on an eye, ensures critical sharpness. However, unlike mirrorless or the D780 in live view, the D850 doesn’t have Eye-AF in optical mode – you rely on your skill to place the AF point over the eye. That said, pro portrait photographers have done that for years and the D850’s viewfinder is great for precisely that. Many consider the D850 the DSLR that finally matched medium format for portrait and studio (at least up to, say, 100MP medium format). Imaging Resource noted that if you want “high-res images for detail-rich portraiture, the D850 will get it done” imaging-resource.com imaging-resource.com. Colors and skin tones out of the D850 (with Nikon’s Picture Controls or custom profiles) are pleasing and can be tuned to taste – Nikon improved their color science gradually, and the D850’s JPEG engine got praise for better use of the sensor’s detail and improved color rendition over the D810 dpreview.com dpreview.com. In summary, for portrait/studio, the D850 is arguably the top DSLR choice Nikon ever made.
• The Nikon D780 is no slouch either. With 24MP, it has more than enough resolution for most portrait needs (24MP can produce excellent 20×30 inch prints). It also has a lower base ISO of 100 (not 64, but that’s fine for portraits; dynamic range at 100 is still superb, slightly below the D850’s at 64). Importantly, the D780 brings Eye-Detection AF in live view. This means if you’re shooting portraits in a controlled setting (or even candidly, using the LCD), the camera can automatically focus on your subject’s eye – a feature that greatly simplifies portrait shooting for many. Using the optical finder, you still have to select an AF point and focus normally (and the 51-point area doesn’t cover edges, but usually your subject’s face is central enough). The D780’s Eye AF isn’t as advanced as the latest mirrorless (it doesn’t continuously track in continuous burst as fluidly), but it’s a huge step up for a DSLR. If doing on-location portraits or weddings, the D780’s better low-light performance and silent shooting (in live view) can be useful – e.g., during a quiet ceremony, you could shoot in silent mode with no shutter noise, something the D850/D500 cannot do (they have quiet mode but not silent since no on-sensor phase AF for stills). The D780’s color output is similar to the D750/Z6, which has been generally praised for nice skin tones. And while it doesn’t have built-in flash, it can wirelessly command flashes with a radio controller or you can use Nikon’s WR-R10 for controlling SB-5000 flashes. The D850 can optically command flashes via commander mode of a hot-shoe flash (since no popup on either D780 or D850, an external commander is needed for optical CLS triggering). The D780’s 24MP files are easier on editing software, which some studio shooters appreciate for high-volume workflow (wedding shooters often prefer 24MP for that reason, as 45MP can be overkill and slow down editing). Battery life on D780 also means an all-day portrait shoot won’t need a battery change. All told, the D780 is an excellent portrait camera for enthusiasts and pros alike, even if the D850 edges it out in ultimate detail. Unless you need huge prints or cropping, the D780 will deliver stunning portraits with that characteristic full-frame depth of field and Nikon’s reliable metering and color.
• The Nikon D500, being APS-C, is less commonly used for dedicated portrait work, but it’s still a 20.9MP camera with great image quality. For environmental or outdoor portraits, it’s fine – you can blur backgrounds with fast DX primes or FX lenses, though you lose about a stop of background blur compared to FX (an f/1.8 on DX gives depth of field like ~f/2.8 on FX for equivalent framing). However, Nikon did not develop many fast DX primes, expecting people to use FX lenses for better bokeh on D500 if needed. Many who tried portraiture on D500 used lenses like the 50mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.8 (which become 75mm and ~128mm equivalent field of view respectively). Those combos can produce lovely portraits, albeit with a bit more depth of field. The D500’s advantage could be its rapid AF for say capturing candid expressions of moving subjects (like kids or pets, which border into portrait territory). But it lacks any eye-detect AF – you’d manually select the focus point as usual. The resolution is enough for prints up to A3 or more, but if you’re a portrait specialist, you might crave more pixels or full-frame look. The D500 can certainly be used in studio with flashes; its base ISO 100 dynamic range is excellent, and it has no anti-alias filter so it captures sharp details (just like the others). But typically, a portrait or studio shooter would pick a D850 or D780 over the D500 if given the choice, unless budget or the secondary need for speed pushed them to D500. One niche case: if you do wildlife portraits or distant candids of people (street photography from afar), the D500’s crop can help get tighter framing without changing lenses. But that’s stretching the meaning of portrait. For conventional portraits, D500 is capable but not optimized – you may deal with more depth of field than you want, and have to work a bit harder to get creamy backgrounds.

Landscapes & Architecture: These genres prize resolution and dynamic range, and often involve tripod work and manual focusing.

• D850 is the obvious star for landscapes – 45MP, base ISO 64 with industry-leading dynamic range (the ability to recover shadow detail is fantastic). Many landscape pros held onto their D850 even as mirrorless rose, because the image quality from that sensor is still hard to beat without going to medium format. The D850’s body is also well-suited to outdoor use (tough against weather, and the tilting screen helps for low-angle compositions). It also has a built-in focus shift (focus stacking) mode that automatically takes a series of shots at different focus distances – useful for macro or landscapes to blend for deeper focus dpreview.com dpreview.com. If you print large fine art or do astro-landscape photography, the D850 delivers in spades, especially with low read noise at ISO 64 for night sky shots. The one advantage mirrorless had was easier manual focus (focus peaking in EVF). The D850 counters with features like a large bright viewfinder and live view with focus peaking (on tripod you can use that). Also, its base ISO 64 gives it about 2/3-stop advantage in highlight headroom over base 100 cameras (and slightly cleaner shadows too). So for architecture or landscapes in bright conditions, you can capture a bit more dynamic range in one shot. It’s no wonder NikonRumors called the D850 “the best DSLR camera ever produced” and noted it was slowly disappearing from stores as mirrorless took over nikonrumors.com uglyhedgehog.com – it’s a legend especially among landscape photographers.
• D780 for landscapes is also great – 24MP is often plenty, and the sensor’s BSI design yields excellent dynamic range at ISO 100 (very close to the D850’s older higher MP sensor in performance per pixel). The D780’s advantages: lighter weight to carry on hikes, and the ability to use silent shutter for zero vibration exposures (great for when using telephoto landscapes or multiple exposures). It also can do 900s exposures as mentioned, perfect for long star trails or night scenes without needing a remote timer nikon.com. The tilting screen and live view (with peaking and even focus pinching to zoom via touch) make manual focus easy for hyperfocal or focusing on foreground elements. Where the D780 falls short is simply resolution – if you want to resolve the absolute finest details or print extremely large, 24MP may limit you compared to 45MP. But plenty of award-winning landscapes have been shot on 16-24MP cameras, so it’s more about use case. If you do a lot of hiking and travel, the D780’s lower weight and great battery (no need to carry spares into the wilderness as much) could be a winning combo. Also, if you shoot both landscapes and say night timelapses, the D780’s excellent high ISO and even in-camera 4K timelapse (like the D850 also has) is beneficial.
• D500 for landscapes is less ideal mainly due to the crop sensor – you lose some dynamic range compared to base ISO on full-frame (though D500’s dynamic range is very good for DX, roughly matching older full-frames up to maybe ISO 400-800). Also, wide-angle lenses behave less wide (a 14mm is like 21mm on D500, so true ultra-wide vistas are harder to capture unless you have something like the Nikon 10-24 or 11-20 Tokina). There’s the stellar Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 which is great on D850/D780; on D500 it’s a pricey lens to use and not so wide (becomes 21-36mm equiv). The D500’s 20MP resolution might feel limiting if you want large prints. Still, if D500 is what you have, it can absolutely do landscapes – just perhaps not the first choice if landscapes are primary. One scenario D500 could excel: wildlife landscape combos – e.g., you’re shooting a distant mountain with animals dotting the slopes; the D500 gives you reach to see the animals better. But generally, full-frame is king for scenic work.

Everyday / General Use: For travel, family, street photography, etc., often the priorities are versatility, low-light capability, and portability.

• The D780 probably wins here as the most well-rounded for general use. It’s not too heavy, has an improved live view for shots where you might want to use the tilting screen (sneaky street angles, etc.), and its 24MP files are forgiving. It also has the best battery life which is handy when traveling off-grid. The D780’s quiet shutter modes and silent mode can be great for candid shooting or places where you want discretion. Its low-light performance (high ISO) is the best of the three due to larger pixels, which is great for indoor or night shots of family or events. Also, its compatibility with the latest SD cards and USB charging make it convenient on the go. If you’re walking around a city, the D780 with a 24-120mm f/4 (kit lens option) is a formidable combo for any shot, from wide architecture to portraits – and that lens is stabilized, helping in low light. The D850 is heavier to lug around all day and demands sharper technique (for everyday snapshots, the high resolution can be unforgiving if your focus or settings are a bit off). The D500 is fast and lighter than D850, but being crop, a standard zoom (e.g. 16-80mm DX or 17-55mm f/2.8 DX) doesn’t give quite the same wide-angle flexibility or shallow DOF as FX 24-70 on full-frame.
• The D850 for general use is amazing in capability, but one could argue it’s overkill. If you don’t mind the weight and the storage needs, it will certainly capture anything you want – from a high-res shot of your kid’s drawing to a 8K timelapse of a sunset. It even has fun modes like 1:1 or 5:4 crops in-camera for composition (it can show crop lines in viewfinder). Some folks actually enjoy walking around with a D850 and a prime lens (like a 50mm) to have that ultimate image quality for everyday scenes. Just be aware that 45MP will eat up memory cards and disk space if you take thousands of casual shots. You can set D850 to medium RAW (25MP) or small RAW (~11MP) if needed, which is a nice option for casual days imaging-resource.com imaging-resource.com. One note: the D850’s base shutter sound is a bit louder than D780’s (due to bigger mirror), which might draw attention on quiet streets. It does have a quiet mode that helps a bit. For travel, the D850’s robust body might be reassuring, but you will feel that weight after a long day.
• The D500 for general use is a mixed bag: on one hand, it’s extremely responsive – you won’t miss a decisive moment with its quick AF and shooting speed. On the other hand, it’s an APS-C, so your lens kit might need to be different to cover wide to tele. Many D500 users in general daily photography pair it with something like the 16-80mm f/2.8-4 DX (24-120 equiv) or even use the old 17-55mm f/2.8 DX for event work. The D500 plus the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX prime (a 50mm equiv) makes a nice lightweight combo for street/people shots with some background blur. And because the D500 has the same robust build, you can travel rough with it. Its battery life is a step below D780 but still decent. For family photos, etc., the D500 might not offer any real advantage except if you have kids/pets running, then its autofocus ensures sharp photos of fast-moving toddlers where maybe a lesser camera would fail. But lacking built-in flash, if you needed a quick fill light indoors, you’d have to use an external flash (same with D850, D780 – none have flash).

In general daily use, also consider video: The D780 allows you to capture high-quality home videos or travel vlogs with ease of AF, which might sway someone who wants both great photos and videos of a trip. The D850 and D500 require more effort for video, as discussed.

Summing up portraits/general: If you shoot portraits professionally or very critically, the D850’s resolution and dynamic range are gold; it was literally used for high-end fashion shoots and can satisfy the most demanding clients. The D780 can produce equally beautiful portraits at normal print sizes and has the advantage of ease (eye-AF, less storage hassle). For someone who is a hobbyist or semi-pro portrait shooter who also does other types of photography, the D780 might hit a sweeter balance. Meanwhile, the D500 would not be a first pick if portraits are a main focus – you’d use it if you needed its speed elsewhere and occasionally do portraits.

Expert Opinions & Quotes

Throughout this comparison, we’ve hinted at what reviewers and experts have said about these cameras. Here we’ll highlight a few telling quotes that encapsulate each model’s reputation:

• Nikon D780: DPReview’s Richard Butler described the D780 as “a DSLR that’s learned a lot from mirrorless” dpreview.com, emphasizing how Nikon pulled in the best of both worlds. Indeed, the D780’s launch was met with positivity because it proved DSLRs could evolve. Imaging Resource praised it as “another great DSLR camera from Nikon” that “captures high-quality images and video” and “delivers strong performance across the board”, concluding “if a new DSLR is what you want, the Nikon D780 is a great option.” imaging-resource.com. That essentially crowns the D780 as the go-to generalist DSLR for the modern era – a camera without glaring weaknesses. Many users in forums echo that sentiment, calling it a “jack of all trades” that just works for whatever you throw at it (events, travel, a bit of sports, 4K video, you name it).
• Nikon D850: The D850 garnered near-legendary status. DPReview’s review verdict declared, “with expansive resolution, a capable autofocus system, fast burst shooting and great image quality under almost any situation, the D850 is the best DSLR on the market today, and among the best all-around stills cameras we’ve ever tested.” dpreview.com That quote stands out because DPReview doesn’t hand out such praise lightly – calling it possibly the best all-around stills camera they’d ever tested (as of 2017/2018) is huge. Imaging Resource’s review went as far as headlining “the best SLR Nikon’s made. Ever.”, noting the D850 is “extremely well-rounded and versatile… up to the task for pretty much any photographic subject” imaging-resource.com. Even in late 2023, outlets like Digital Camera World often reference the D850 as a benchmark, sometimes rating it the top DSLR of all time. Users who own it often share stories like, “I bought a Nikon D850 in 2023 and still don’t own a mirrorless… F-mount lenses have never been cheaper, and the D850 just produces stunning images” digitalcameraworld.com amateurphotographer.com. The consistency of praise – from launch through today – indicates how well Nikon hit the mark. An example from a DPR commenter: “Perfection impossible, but there may be no other DSLR that has come as close as the D850” dpreview.com dpreview.com. It’s rare to see a camera so universally lauded.
• Nikon D500: The D500 also enjoyed glowing reviews, especially from action specialists. DPReview gave it a Gold Award and in the review said, “the D500’s autofocus and continuous shooting performance is noticeably better”than rival APS-C cameras, and that its “sheer capability demonstrates the continued relevance of the [DX] format” dpreview.com dpreview.com. One memorable quote: “The D500’s autofocus system seems to have been sent from the future by benevolent aliens, whose mission – apparently – is to help us take better photographs.” (This was from a DPReview Gear of the Year 2016 article, Barney Britton’s pick) dpreview.com. Wildlife photographers like Backcountry Gallery’s Steve Perry called the D500 “the best bang-for-the-buck wildlife camera ever produced – by any manufacturer” nikonrumors.com. And as mentioned, PetaPixel dubbed it “a triumph of the DSLR era” petapixel.com. These endorsements highlight that the D500 filled a unique niche; it wasn’t just a good Nikon, it was arguably the best APS-C DSLR anyone had made for fast action. Even as mirrorless APS-C options emerged, many pointed out that in 2025, “the closest thing to a mirrorless D500 is the Fuji X-H2S, since [other brands] haven’t really committed to making a pro-level APS-C body” reddit.com reddit.com – a testament to how special the D500 is. If you love shooting wildlife or sports but don’t want to go full-frame or spend huge money, the D500 remains a sweetheart.

In summary, experts consistently rank the D850 as possibly the greatest all-around DSLR ever, the D500 as the top APS-C DSLR and a sports/wildlife monster, and the D780 as one of the most well-thought-out modern DSLRs for hybrid use. These cameras all earned high honors in their categories (the D850 and D500 both won awards and topped lists in their release years, and the D780 flew a bit under the radar only because mirrorless was grabbing headlines by 2020, but those who reviewed it thoroughly gave it high marks, often Silver or Gold awards and comments like “it just feels right”).

Before we close, let’s address the present and future context for these cameras.

Current News, Updates, and the Future of Nikon’s Lineup

As of 2025, the camera world has largely shifted to mirrorless, and Nikon’s priorities reflect that. Here’s the state of play for the D780, D850, D500 and what’s on the horizon:

• Discontinuations and Availability: Nikon has been gradually discontinuing DSLR models. The Nikon D500 was officially marked as “old product” (discontinued) in 2022 petapixel.com digitalcameraworld.com. The last new D500 units are likely those still on some store shelves as of early 2022, and since then it’s no longer manufactured petapixel.com. Indeed, Nikon Japan and Asia listed it as discontinued, although Nikon USA initially did not mark it as such, possibly selling remaining stock petapixel.com. Retailers like B&H and Adorama showed it as out of stock/backordered around that time, signaling the end. That means if you want a new D500, you’d have to find leftover stock or buy used. Digital Camera World’s headline summed it up: “The Nikon D500 is being discontinued – buy one while you still can!” digitalcameraworld.com. They noted it’s “after 6 years, all good things come to an end” digitalcameraworld.com and praised how the D500 was a game changer for sports/wildlife in its run digitalcameraworld.com.The Nikon D850, remarkably, has not been officially discontinued yet (as of Aug 2025). It came out in late 2017, so it’s nearing 8 years old, but Nikon seems to have kept it in production in low volumes. There were rumors and signs of it being phased out – for instance, in mid-2023 Nikon offered deep rebates (up to $800 off) on the D850, and stock started becoming scarce, suggesting they might finally be winding down nikonrumors.com uglyhedgehog.com. A ByThom article in 2022 inferred that Nikon was still manufacturing the D850 (and D780) in small batches due to continued demand, even as other models (D500, D610, etc.) had stopped bythom.com bythom.com. Thom Hogan noted “Given the continued discounting, the D780 and D850 are likely still being manufactured” and that Nikon had parts inventory allowing low-volume production to meet lingering orders bythom.com bythom.com. Indeed, as of early 2024, the D850 was still available new at major retailers, sometimes with price drops. It appears Nikon’s strategy is to let the D850 slowly “sell out” rather than abruptly axing it. And why not – it still sells to those who prefer OVFs or need a backup to their Z system. So, if you want a new D850, it’s possibly still obtainable in 2025, but probably not for much longer. It might go “old product” once stock truly runs out or if Nikon announces a successor (which seems unlikely in DSLR form).The Nikon D780 being a 2020 model is among the last DSLRs Nikon launched, and it remains available and supported. In fact, Nikon has continued firmware updates for the D780, a sign it’s still in their active lineup. Notably, in August 2025, Nikon released Firmware version 1.20 for the D780, fixing some live view photography issues nikonrumors.com nikonrumors.com. At the same time, they updated the flagship D6 firmware robertallen-photography.com. Digital Camera World even ran a piece with the title “Nikon keeps its DSLR cameras alive with new firmware updates for the D6 and D780” digitalcameraworld.com, highlighting that Nikon hasn’t abandoned DSLR users. The D780 firmware 1.20 patch addressed a specific bug (“black band shaped fog” in certain silent live view conditions) nikonrumors.com – which is minor, but the very act of pushing an update in late 2025 shows commitment. The D780 is likely to remain on sale for a while as an entry point for those who still want a new DSLR. It shares a lot of internals with the Z6 series (EXPEED6, sensor, etc.), so Nikon can presumably continue to produce it until it no longer makes business sense. Price-wise, the D780 new has dropped to about $1,500 (body) in 2025 nikonrumors.com, making it quite a good deal for what it offers.
• Mirrorless Impact – New Models: The rise of Nikon’s Z-series mirrorless cameras definitely impacts how one views these DSLRs in 2025. Nikon has explicitly shifted R&D to mirrorless. In fact, in 2022 a report (first by Nikkei Asia) stated Nikon would cease developing new SLR cameras to focus on mirrorless petapixel.com. While Nikon didn’t officially confirm that in a press release, all evidence points that direction: the last DSLR announced was the D6 and D780 in early 2020, and since then it’s been all Z-mount (Z5, Z6II, Z7II in 2020; Z9 in 2021; Z30 in 2022; Z8 and Zf in 2023, etc.). So we are not expecting, say, a “Nikon D880” or “D580” to replace the D850 or D500. Instead, Nikon’s mirrorless models fill those slots:
  • The Nikon Z9 (late 2021) is a pro mirrorless that in many ways is a mirrorless successor to both the D6 and D850. It has a 45.7MP stacked sensor like a blend of D850 resolution with D6 speed (20 fps RAW, 30 fps JPEG, even 120 fps at 11MP), with blackout-free EVF and advanced 3D Tracking autofocus that tracks eyes and vehicles, etc. For sports and wildlife, the Z9 outperforms any of the DSLRs (except maybe battery life, where DSLRs still win). The Z9’s AF is extremely sophisticated, and it has 8K video – which no DSLR offers. So the existence of the Z9 means a lot of photographers who would have eventually looked for a D5/D6 or high-end D850 upgrade might consider moving to Z9.
  • The Nikon Z8 (2023) is essentially a smaller Z9 with the same 45MP sensor and nearly same capabilities, aimed at those who loved the D850 concept. In many ways, the Z8 is the mirrorless “D850 replacement”: 45MP, 20fps, great AF, etc., but mirrorless. In mid-2023 when the Z8 launched, many reviewers directly compared it to the D850, often saying “the D850 had a great run, but the Z8 eclipses it” in performance – which is expected after 6 years of tech progress. For example, Eye-AF and subject detection on the Z8 make portrait and wildlife shooting easier than on any DSLR. That said, D850 still has that optical viewfinder charm and some prefer the rendering and experience of OVF.
  • There isn’t a direct mirrorless D500 replacement yet, but rumors abound. Many Nikon enthusiasts hope for a “Nikon Z90” or “Z70” – an APS-C mirrorless with pro-level build and AF, essentially a mirrorless D500. As per forum chatter and rumor sites, there’s buzz that Nikon will release a high-end DX Z camera in the coming year dpreview.com nikoncafe.com. If/when that happens, it will put the final nail in the idea of needing a D500, as mirrorless AF has now caught up or surpassed (the Z8/Z9 track as well or better than DSLR 3D Tracking did, and even mid-range Z50 is decent). But until then, some wildlife shooters either stick to D500 or adapt by using a full-frame Z and cropping (the Z8/Z9 in DX mode are about 19MP, like using a D500 effectively). Nikon has released excellent telephoto lenses in Z mount (400mm f/2.8 TC, 400mm f/4.5, 600mm f/4 TC, 800mm f/6.3 PF, etc.), which indicates they expect serious wildlife pros to migrate to Z system and not miss the D500 because the new glass and AF make up for it. However, for those on a budget, the lack of a sub-$2k APS-C flagship in mirrorless is noticeable – Fuji filled that gap (X-H2S), Canon attempted with EOS R7 (though it’s more mid-range), but Nikon hasn’t yet. So in 2025 the D500 still has a cult following partly because there’s no Nikon mirrorless at that price that does what D500 does.
  • For the D780, the mirrorless counterparts would be the Nikon Z6 II (2020) and upcoming Z6 III (which is rumored or perhaps released by late 2024). The Z6 series shares the sensor with D780 but adds in-body stabilization and fully electronic viewfinder with even better video features (like 4K60). The Z6II improved AF but still wasn’t as good as D780’s optical for fast action; the Z6 III is expected to bring stacked sensor or better AF possibly. So someone considering a D780 might also weigh a Z6 II/III + adapter for F lenses or going full mirrorless.
  • Mirrorless also introduced cameras like the Zf (2023, a retro-styled full-frame with Z6II guts) and Z7 II / Z7 III which are high-res but lower frame rate (the Z7 line is kind of like a mirrorless D810 lineage – high res, not sports oriented). The Z7 II at 45MP and 10 fps (w/ buffer issues) is in some ways a mirrorless D850 “light”, though the Z8 more fully takes that mantle.

Given all that, the relevance of these DSLRs in 2025 largely depends on user preference and investment:

• If you already own one of these DSLRs and a set of F-mount lenses, they are still extremely capable cameras. The image quality difference between a D850 and a new Z8 is not huge in final output for most scenarios (same megapixels; Z8 maybe has slight noise advantage due to newer tech and no mirror slap issues for sharpness). The biggest differences are in autofocus intelligence and video. But some photographers have decided the benefits of mirrorless (like real-time EVF preview, eye-tracking AF, smaller body or new lenses) outweigh the love for DSLRs. Others prefer the optical viewfinder experience (zero lag, natural view, better battery) and have stuck with their DSLRs, knowing they produce the results they need.
• Firmware updates as mentioned keep the D780 and D6 current; Nikon also updated the D850/D500 in 2020 to support CFexpress memory cards nikoncafe.com uglyhedgehog.com, showing they didn’t abandon those users either. So these DSLRs are fully functional in today’s workflows (fast cards, wireless transfer via adapters or card readers, etc.).
• One important note: Lens compatibility. All three DSLRs use the Nikon F-mount, which has decades of lenses available (and many used at good prices now). On Nikon’s mirrorless Z, you can adapt F-mount lenses with the FTZ adapter fairly well, but not every DSLR lens focuses as well on mirrorless for fast action (especially some older or third-party lenses). On the DSLRs themselves, any AF-S or newer lens will focus as intended, and even older screw-drive AF-D lenses work on D780 and D850 (the D500 too, as it has an AF motor – yes, D500 has screw-drive AF motor, as do D850 and D780, since they’re higher end). So for someone with a trove of classic Nikon glass or a tight budget, sticking to a DSLR might make sense – no need to replace lenses or deal with adapter quirks. We might mention that Nikon’s mirrorless lens lineup is expanding, and some Z lenses are spectacular (the 24-70mm f/2.8S, etc.), but those can’t be used on DSLRs. Conversely, F lenses can be used on Z, but with an adapter. So your investment in F-mount lenses is protected if you stay with these DSLRs; if you move to Z, you can bring them along with FTZ for most uses.
• Upcoming Nikon DSLRs? It’s almost certain Nikon will not release new DSLR models anymore, barring some special edition or a surprise. The Nikon D6 (2020) likely was the last flagship DSLR, and the D780 one of the last consumer DSLRs. Nikon did have a line called the Df (retro DSLR) and rumors of a “Df2” floated for years, but instead Nikon produced the retro-style Z fc (APS-C) and now the Zf (full-frame retro mirrorless in 2023). So any “Df2” will likely be mirrorless (indeed the Zf is essentially that concept). The DSLRs are on life support only via continued sales and support; no new F-mount lenses are being made either (the last F lens was maybe 2019). So over time, getting new gear for these systems will mean buying used or remaining stock. However, there’s a huge used market of F lenses and bodies, which will keep these cameras viable for many years for enthusiasts who choose to stick with the tech they love. And Nikon has promised to service DSLRs for a period (usually manufacturers support products at least 7-10 years after last production, for parts/repair).
• Impact on relevance: The introduction of cameras like the Nikon Z8 has arguably made the D850 less appealing for new buyers – if you’re brand new and choosing between a D850 and Z8 at similar price, many would pick Z8 for future-proofing (unless they specifically hate EVFs or need the battery life). Likewise, a sports shooter today would probably lean to a Z9 instead of trying to find a D6 or pushing a D500, given the Z9’s success in Olympics and such. But for existing users, the DSLRs continue to do exactly what they did yesterday – a D850 did not suddenly take worse photos because mirrorless exist.

To put it in perspective: Digital Camera World in 2025 ran an opinion that “our most-rated DSLR, the Nikon D850, is just $1,796 now, but the Nikon Z7 II is the same price, and it is the one I’d buy today” digitalcameraworld.com. That suggests that even die-hard fans recognize the pragmatic choice for a newcomer might be a mirrorless (Z7 II in that case for similar resolution), due to future system growth. Nonetheless, DCW also wrote “7 years on, the Nikon D3500 is still my top DSLR choice (not just for beginners)” in 2023 digitalcameraworld.com – implying DSLRs still have their charms and advantages like optical viewfinder and battery life that some prefer.

In short, Nikon’s D780, D850, and D500 remain three of the finest DSLRs you can get. In 2025 they still deliver spectacular results and have plenty of support via lenses and firmware. However, as Nikon pivots to mirrorless Z-mount, no direct DSLR successors are coming. If you own these cameras, you can keep shooting them for years – they’re built to last and now available at better prices than ever (especially second-hand). If you’re deciding whether to buy one in 2025, consider that mirrorless alternatives (like Z8, Z9, or potentially a Z90) might offer new capabilities (faster frame rates, eye AF, etc.), but also come with the need for new lenses or adapters and generally higher cost.

For many photography enthusiasts and professionals, these DSLRs hitting the used market at good prices is an opportunity – for example, picking up a D500 used to pair with a D850 you already have, or grabbing a D850 as a high-res companion to a Z6 if you prefer an OVF option. The cameras won’t stop taking great pictures just because mirrorless is the buzz.

As Nikon Rumors said about the D850: “the best DSLR ever produced… is slowly disappearing from stores” nikonrumors.com – so if you want to experience that pinnacle of DSLR tech, the window is closing but it’s still here now. The D780 stands as possibly Nikon’s last DSLR model in the mid-range, and it fittingly is a bridge between eras, maybe making it one of the most user-friendly DSLRs for someone coming from a smartphone or mirrorless (thanks to its live-view prowess). The D500 represents the sunset of pro DX DSLRs, ending a lineage that began with cameras like the D300; many hope Nikon revives that in Z form, but until then, the D500’s legacy is cemented.

Conclusion

To wrap up this comparison: Nikon’s D780, D850, and D500 each target a different niche, but all three have proven themselves as modern classics in the DSLR world. The D780 is the multi-talented hybrid that offers DSLR reliability with a taste of mirrorless tech – perfect for those who do a bit of everything (stills, video, events, travel) and want one camera that can handle it all. The D850 is the high-resolution titan that, by consensus of experts, might be the greatest DSLR ever made – if you need stunning image quality for landscapes, portraits, or commercial work and don’t want to compromise on performance, it’s still a dream camera in 2025. And the D500 is the beloved speed demon of the DX realm – the DSLR for wildlife and action enthusiasts, delivering pro-level tracking and burst at a fraction of the cost of big full-frames, and leaving a legacy that Nikon’s mirrorless system will strive to match for APS-C.

Whether you’re considering buying one (with prices more attractive now) or just curious how they stack up, you can rest assured that each of these cameras can produce professional, breathtaking results. They each have their strengths: the D500’s unrivaled autofocus speed dpreview.com, the D850’s all-round excellence and image quality dpreview.com, and the D780’s blend of new tech in a familiar form dpreview.com. Even as the industry moves on, they stand as a testament to Nikon’s engineering. As one reviewer nostalgically put it about the D850, “Finally getting mine… will compete with the beloved D3s, and whichever I enjoy most will stay” dpreview.com – indicating how highly these DSLRs are regarded among Nikon’s hall of fame.

In the end, choosing between them comes down to your needs: If you prioritize speed and reach for action, the D500 still wins your heart petapixel.com. If you crave ultimate resolution and versatility, the D850 remains a king dpreview.com. And if you want an excellent all-purpose full-frame with modern conveniences, the D780 is your friend imaging-resource.com. No matter which you pick, you’re getting a camera that was a leader in its category – and even today, each can confidently be used to produce award-worthy photographs. They are the culmination of decades of DSLR evolution, and as such, might be among the last of their breed – but what a high note to end on.

Sources:

• Nikon D780 Review – DPReview (2020) dpreview.com dpreview.com
• Nikon D850 Review – DPReview (2017) dpreview.com dpreview.com
• Nikon D500 Review – DPReview (2016) dpreview.com dpreview.com
• PetaPixel: “Nikon Discontinues the D500, a Triumph of the DSLR Era” (2022) petapixel.com petapixel.com
• Imaging Resource: Nikon D780 Field Test (2020) imaging-resource.com; Nikon D850 Review (2018) imaging-resource.com
• Digital Camera World: “The Nikon D500 is being discontinued…” (Feb 2022) digitalcameraworld.com digitalcameraworld.com
• Nikon USA / Nikon Japan: Official product pages and press releases nikon.com nikonusa.com (specs, firmware news)
• Nikon Rumors: Firmware update news for D780 (2025) nikonrumors.com nikonrumors.com
• ByThom Hogan: Analysis on DSLR production (2022) bythom.com bythom.com
• Expert quotes as noted from DPReview forums and articles dpreview.com dpreview.com, and Richard Peters (wildlife photographer) petapixel.com.