Canon EOS 80D vs Nikon D500
Nikon D500 has the edge on paper, but the right choice depends on what you shoot. The EOS 80D is the better pick for beginners; the D500 is better for wildlife.
Choose the EOS 80D for
- more resolution (24.2MP vs 20.9MP)
- a lighter body (730g vs 860g)
Choose the D500 for
- faster bursts (10fps vs 7fps)
- a lower price (from £434)
- stronger video (4K 30p (crop))
- more lenses in our database (25 vs 24)
Specs side by side
| Spec | EOS 80D | D500 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | APS-C, 24.2MP | APS-C, 20.9MP |
| Mount | Canon EF / EF-S (DSLR) | Nikon F (DSLR) |
| Released | 2016 | 2016 |
| Burst | 7 fps | 10 fps |
| Readout | OVF | OVF |
| Max ISO | 16,000 | 51,200 |
| Stabilisation | Lens only | Lens only |
| Video | 1080p 60p | 4K 30p (crop) |
| Weather sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Optical | Optical |
| Weight | 730 g | 860 g |
| Battery | Canon LP-E6NH | Nikon EN-EL15c |
| Card slots | SD (UHS-I) | XQD/CFexpress B + SD |
| New price | No longer sold new | No longer sold new |
| Used at MPB | £444–524 | £434–719 |
| Native lenses in our database | 24 (14 third-party) | 25 (14 third-party) |
Which is better for…
| Use | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Beginner-friendly | EOS 80D |
| Everyday & travel | About equal |
| Portraits | About equal |
| Landscape | About equal |
| Wildlife & animals | D500 |
| Sports & action | About equal |
| Astrophotography | About equal |
| Vlogging & video | About equal |
| Vintage / film look | About equal |
Based on the specs that matter most for each type of photography: burst and readout for action, resolution for landscapes, sensor size and low light for portraits and astro, video and weight for vlogging.
Lenses and running costs
The EOS 80D uses Canon EF / EF-S (24 lenses in our database, 14 third-party) and the D500 uses Nikon F (25 lenses, 14 third-party). Batteries: Canon LP-E6NH vs Nikon EN-EL15c (about £51).
Frequently asked questions
Is the Canon EOS 80D better than the Nikon D500?
It depends on your priorities. The EOS 80D offers more resolution (24.2MP vs 20.9MP), a lighter body (730g vs 860g); the D500 offers faster bursts (10fps vs 7fps), a lower price (from £434), stronger video (4K 30p (crop)).
Which is better for video, the EOS 80D or the D500?
The D500 is stronger for video: EOS 80D records 1080p 60p, D500 records 4K 30p (crop).
Which is cheaper, the EOS 80D or the D500?
The EOS 80D costs No longer sold new new and from £444 used at MPB; the D500 costs No longer sold new new and from £434 used (checked 5 November 2026).
Can I use Canon EOS 80D lenses on the D500?
Not directly. The EOS 80D uses Canon EF / EF-S and the D500 uses Nikon F; switching usually means new lenses or an adapter where one exists.