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Canon 7d Mark Ii Vs Nikon D500: Battle Of The Wildlife Photography Titans

Drew is a passionate photographer and the founder of the popular camera review blog, "DrewCaptures." With over a decade of experience behind the lens, Drew has developed a deep understanding of the latest camera gear and technologies.

What To Know

  • The autofocus system is one of the most important features of a wildlife camera, and both the Canon 7D Mark II and Nikon D500 have excellent autofocus systems.
  • The 7D Mark II has a faster autofocus system and is slightly less expensive, while the D500 has a better dynamic range, longer battery life, and is better weather-sealed.
  • If you’re looking for a camera with a fast autofocus system and a low price, the Canon 7D Mark II is a great choice.

The Canon 7D Mark II and Nikon D500 are two of the most popular APS-C format DSLRs on the market, and for good reason. Both cameras offer excellent image quality, fast autofocus systems, and a wide range of features that make them ideal for wildlife photography. But which camera is the best choice for you? In this blog post, we’ll compare the Canon 7D Mark II and Nikon D500 head-to-head to help you make an informed decision.

Image Quality

Both the Canon 7D Mark II and Nikon D500 produce excellent image quality, but there are some subtle differences between the two cameras. The 7D Mark II has a 20.2-megapixel sensor, while the D500 has a 20.9-megapixel sensor. In practice, this difference in resolution is negligible, and both cameras can produce sharp, detailed images.

However, the D500 has a slight edge in terms of dynamic range. This means that the D500 can capture more detail in both the highlights and shadows of an image, which can be beneficial for wildlife photography, where you often have to deal with challenging lighting conditions.

Autofocus

The autofocus system is one of the most important features of a wildlife camera, and both the Canon 7D Mark II and Nikon D500 have excellent autofocus systems. The 7D Mark II has a 65-point autofocus system, while the D500 has a 153-point autofocus system. This means that the D500 has more autofocus points to choose from, which can be beneficial for tracking moving subjects.

However, the 7D Mark II has a slight edge in terms of autofocus speed. This is because the 7D Mark II uses a Dual Pixel CMOS AF system, which is faster and more accurate than the phase-detection autofocus system used by the D500.

Burst Shooting

Burst shooting is another important feature for wildlife photography, as it allows you to capture a series of images in quick succession. The Canon 7D Mark II can shoot at up to 10 frames per second (fps), while the Nikon D500 can shoot at up to 10 fps with the optional battery grip. This means that both cameras can capture fast-moving subjects without missing a beat.

Weather Sealing

Weather sealing is an important feature for wildlife photography, as it protects your camera from the elements. The Canon 7D Mark II has a weather-sealed body, while the Nikon D500 has a weather-sealed body and lens mount. This means that the D500 is better protected from dust and moisture, which can be important if you’re shooting in harsh conditions.

Battery Life

Battery life is another important consideration for wildlife photography, as you don’t want to run out of power in the middle of a shoot. The Canon 7D Mark II has a battery life of approximately 650 shots, while the Nikon D500 has a battery life of approximately 1,240 shots. This means that the D500 has a much longer battery life than the 7D Mark II, which can be important if you’re planning on doing a lot of shooting.

Price

The Canon 7D Mark II and Nikon D500 are both priced similarly, with the 7D Mark II being slightly less expensive. The 7D Mark II is currently available for around $1,500, while the D500 is available for around $1,700.

Which Camera Is Right for You?

The Canon 7D Mark II and Nikon D500 are both excellent cameras for wildlife photography, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. The 7D Mark II has a faster autofocus system and is slightly less expensive, while the D500 has a better dynamic range, longer battery life, and is better weather-sealed.

Ultimately, the best camera for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a camera with a fast autofocus system and a low price, the Canon 7D Mark II is a great choice. If you’re looking for a camera with a better dynamic range, longer battery life, and better weather sealing, the Nikon D500 is a better choice.

What You Need to Know

1. Which camera has a better autofocus system?

The Nikon D500 has a better autofocus system than the Canon 7D Mark II. The D500 has more autofocus points and a faster autofocus speed.

2. Which camera has a better dynamic range?

The Nikon D500 has a better dynamic range than the Canon 7D Mark II. This means that the D500 can capture more detail in both the highlights and shadows of an image.

3. Which camera has a longer battery life?

The Nikon D500 has a longer battery life than the Canon 7D Mark II. The D500 can shoot up to 1,240 shots on a single charge, while the 7D Mark II can only shoot up to 650 shots.

4. Which camera is better weather-sealed?

The Nikon D500 is better weather-sealed than the Canon 7D Mark II. The D500 has a weather-sealed body and lens mount, while the 7D Mark II only has a weather-sealed body.

5. Which camera is less expensive?

The Canon 7D Mark II is less expensive than the Nikon D500. The 7D Mark II is currently available for around $1,500, while the D500 is available for around $1,700.

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Drew D.

Drew is a passionate photographer and the founder of the popular camera review blog, "DrewCaptures." With over a decade of experience behind the lens, Drew has developed a deep understanding of the latest camera gear and technologies.
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