Nikon DSLR D7500

The Nikon D7500 has a fantastic sensor and speedy burst shooting, but its video and live view AF are painfully outdated. It's a solid choice only if you're sticking with F-mount DSLR lenses and don't care about video. For everyone else, a modern mirrorless camera is the smarter buy.

That 20.9MP sensor is a standout, landing in the 86th percentile in our database. You'll get crisp, detailed images with great dynamic range, especially if you nail your exposure. The 8fps burst is solid for action, though not class-leading, and the buffer can handle a decent 100 JPEGs before it taps out. The real pain point is video. It's in the bottom quarter of what we've tested, with soft 4K footage and no stabilization to smooth out handheld shots. The 51-point AF system is a classic performer through the viewfinder, but switch to live view and it feels like stepping back a decade.

Stacked against mirrorless rivals like the Fujifilm X-T5, the D7500 feels like a relic. The X-T5 gives you a higher-res sensor, best-in-class stabilization, and video that doesn't make you wince. Even Canon's EOS R6 Mark III, while pricier, obliterates it in autofocus and low-light performance. The D7500's one ace is the optical viewfinder, which some shooters still prefer for zero lag. But compared to the Panasonic S5 II's video chops or the Sony a7 V's all-around brilliance, the Nikon only wins if you're already locked into F-mount and refuse to adapt.

Value is tricky without a firm price, but at around $1570, you're in a tough spot. That money puts you dangerously close to a used Nikon Z6 II or a new Canon EOS R10, both of which will run circles around the D7500 in video and live view AF. You're really paying for the optical viewfinder experience and access to cheap, used F-mount lenses. If that's your priority, it's a fair deal. If you want the best tech per dollar, it's a hard sell.

The Nikon D7500 is a bit of an odd duck in today's market. It's a DSLR through and through, built around a solid 20.9MP APS-C sensor and Nikon's proven 51-point autofocus system. If you're coming from an older Nikon body and have a bag full of F-mount glass, this camera will feel like home. It's fast, the 8fps burst is snappy, and the tilting touchscreen is genuinely useful for awkward angles.

But let's be real, it's showing its age. The video specs are capped at 4K/30p with a heavy crop, there's no in-body stabilization, and the live view autofocus is sluggish compared to any modern mirrorless camera. At this price point, you're paying for rugged DSLR reliability and optical viewfinder purity, not cutting-edge tech. It's a workhorse, not a racehorse.

Skip this if you shoot any video at all, or if you want a camera that's easy to use in live view. The cropped, shaky 4K and sluggish screen-based autofocus will drive you nuts. Also skip it if you want something light for travel, it's a chunky DSLR and our scores show it's a weak performer in that category.

Buy this if you're a DSLR purist who shoots mostly stills and already owns Nikon F-mount glass. It's a capable, fast camera that will serve you well for sports and wildlife photography. Everyone else should seriously consider a mirrorless alternative. The D7500 is a great camera from 2017, but we're living in 2024, and the world has moved on.