Nikon unveils D7500 midrange DSLR with many of the D500’s features

The slowing of DSLR sales hasn’t stopped the steady stream of improved models coming out of the major players. Today Nikon introduced an upgraded version of its prosumer DSLR, the Nikon D7500. Borrowing some of the best features from the higher-priced Nikon D500 and adding a few tricks of its own, it looks to be a winner for those who want nearly pro features for less money, and in a smaller package.

Nikon D7500 specs include 4K video

The Nikon D7500 is built around the same 20.9MP (DX format) sensor and EXPEED 5 processor used by the higher-end Nikon D500. Like many recent DSLRs, it dumps the low-pass filter in favor of maximum sharpness. ISO range numbers are no guarantee of low-light performance, but the 100-51,200 span on the D7500 bodes well for the camera in tricky conditions. Full 4K (at 30fps) video and time-lapse videos are both supported.

Sports and action shooters will be happy to hear that the camera features not only 51AF points, but is capable of up to 8fps burst shooting with full autofocus. It can keep rattling off frames at that speed for 50 14-bit Raw images or 100 JPEGs. Until recently, those specs alone would have set the new model apart from its mirrorless competitors, but now that they have phase-detect AF built into their sensors, these specs are what it takes to play in the $1K-$2K camera market.

Packed with plenty of features, too

Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built in. This is one area where Nikon continues to make solid progress. Its early wireless adapters were almost unusable, but its newer models have made big strides in features and functionality. With the D7500, that includes the ability to operate it remotely from your smartphone. Many will also appreciate the unit’s pop-up flash, which can also be used as a Commander for remote Nikon CLS-compatible Speedlights.

Befitting a model a step up from its consumer product line, the Nikon D7500 also features weather sealing, and an Auto AF Fine Tune feature that can be used in conjunction with Live View to automatically calibrate the AF for individual lenses. Nikon has also added headphone and microphone jacks, as an external microphone is absolutely essential for high-quality videography. You can output video to both the memory card and via uncompressed HDMI.

The D7500 also offers in-camera batch conversion of Raw files, for those who enjoy working on the 3.2-inch 922K tilting touch-screen LCD. The camera can help out with image processing via its Auto Picture Control that creates a custom tone curve for each image.

Pricing and availability

Unfortunately, you can’t snag a Nikon D7500 just yet. Nikon says it will be available this summer, for $1,250 for the body only, or $1,750 when kitted with a Nikon 18-140mm AF-S VR (DX format) lens.