Nikon D500: Dynamic range, resolution and noise
Dynamic range
At the lower sensitivity settings the D500 achieves very impressive scores in our Applied Imaging tests; in fact its dynamic range doesn’t drop below 12EV until the sensitivity is over ISO 800. However, at ISO 6,400 and over, it drops just below the performance of the 7D Mark II, diving below 6EV above ISO 51,200. High-sensitivity images require much more careful handling during processing than lower-resolution shots.
Nikon D500 – Dynamic Range
Resolution
From the lowest sensitivity values, up to and including ISO 3,200, the D500 captures an impressively high level of detail, and it beats the 7D Mark II throughout its range. It particularly impresses at ISO 50-400, scoring 3,400l/ph in JPEG files and almost 3,800l/ph in raw files. However, at ISO 204,800 the results look very poor with a green cast of noise becoming visible.
JPEG ISO 100
JPEG ISO 51,200
JPEG ISO 6400
JPEG ISO 204,800
Noise
Noise is controlled well in images shot within the D500’s native sensitivity range (ISO 100-51,200), but, ignoring the slight difference in sharpness/details, there isn’t all that much of a difference between its images and those from the 7D Mark II at the same settings. The results at ISO 204,800 are poor, but at the top three extended settings (ISO 409,600, ISO 819,200 and ISO 1,640,000) they are diabolical.
JPEG – ISO 1600
JPEG – ISO 6400
JPEG – ISO 51,200
JPEG – ISO 204,800
JPEG – ISO 409,600
