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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallShort answer: Nikon has not confirmed a mirrorless successor to the D500 in its official announcements or current camera listings reviewed through October 13, 2026. The Nikon Z50II is the available DX-format mirrorless alternative, while names such as Z70 and Z90 remain unconfirmed rumor labels.
Is Nikon making a mirrorless D500 successor?
Not officially. Nikon’s published material confirms the Z50II, announced on November 7, 2024, but does not announce a professional DX mirrorless body positioned as a D500 replacement. Nikon’s USA mirrorless overview lists the Z50II among its current Z-series cameras, alongside the Z-mount lens and accessory system: Nikon’s current mirrorless overview.
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That distinction matters because the D500 was more than a fast crop-sensor camera. Wildlife and sports photographers valued its professional controls, rugged construction, weather sealing, dual-card workflow and dependable handling as much as its autofocus and reach. A future mirrorless model would need to match that operational standard, not merely advertise a high electronic-shutter frame rate.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRumor coverage has used the names Z70 and Z90 for a possible high-end Nikon DX body. Neither name represents a Nikon-confirmed product. Digital Camera World described a possible Z70 as conjecture and relayed rumored specifications without Nikon confirmation: Z70 rumor coverage. Its December 2025 report about a Z90 attributed alleged specifications to an unnamed source, which is not independent confirmation: Z90 report.
#1 Best Overall
- Go Beyond Your Phone: Capture lifelike colors and incredible details from dawn to dusk thanks to a superior 20.9-megapixel DX format (APS-C size) sensor several times larger than that of a typical smartphone, but still lightweight and compact enough to fit in a small bag.
- Find Your Aesthetic: At the press of the Picture Control button, choose from 31 built-in presets designed to make your photos and videos stand out. Create and save your own Picture Control presets or download bespoke Cloud Picture Controls directly to your Z50II from Nikon Imaging Cloud. Play with results in real-time as you shoot and open up a world of creative possibilities.
- Focus with Confidence: People, dogs, cats, birds and vehicles—the Z50II can automatically detect and accurately track nine distinct subjects. Plus dedicated bird and airplane modes for even greater autofocus accuracy.
- Powerful Video: Capture the scene with incredible quality and detail with 4K UHD/60p, in-camera 120p slow-motion in Full HD, built-in electronic VR and product review mode.
- Built-in Flash: Get beautifully balanced photos indoors and at night. Use Night Portrait mode to create natural-looking slow-shutter flash portraits. Share in a snap: Send photos and video to your smart device in seconds using the free Nikon SnapBridge app. Includes the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens and NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR lens
What the Z50II actually offers
The Z50II is a real, currently available Nikon DX mirrorless body. Nikon says it uses the EXPEED 7 processor and subject-detection autofocus. In its announcement, Nikon described the camera as combining “a broad range of fun imaging features with the superior functions and performance of higher-end models,” positioning it as approachable rather than announcing a flagship D500 successor: Nikon’s November 7, 2024 release.
Digital Camera World’s comparison reports 11 frames per second for RAW shooting and 30 frames per second for JPEG electronic-shutter shooting. Those figures describe particular modes, not a blanket guarantee of sustained professional action performance. Buffer capacity, file format, shutter mode, autofocus behavior and the speed of card write operations all affect how useful a burst is in the field: Z50II and D500 comparison.
Rank #2
- Go Beyond Your Phone: Capture lifelike colors and incredible details from dawn to dusk thanks to a superior 20.9-megapixel DX format (APS-C size) sensor several times larger than that of a typical smartphone, but still lightweight and compact enough to fit in a small bag.
- Find Your Aesthetic: At the press of the Picture Control button, choose from 31 built-in presets designed to make your photos and videos stand out. Create and save your own Picture Control presets or download bespoke Cloud Picture Controls directly to your Z50II from Nikon Imaging Cloud. Play with results in real-time as you shoot and open up a world of creative possibilities.
- Focus with Confidence: People, dogs, cats, birds and vehicles—the Z50II can automatically detect and accurately track nine distinct subjects. Plus dedicated bird and airplane modes for even greater autofocus accuracy.
- Powerful Video: Capture the scene with incredible quality and detail with 4K UHD/60p, in-camera 120p slow-motion in Full HD, built-in electronic VR and product review mode.
- Built-in Flash: Get beautifully balanced photos indoors and at night. Use Night Portrait mode to create natural-looking slow-shutter flash portraits. Share in a snap: Send photos and video to your smart device in seconds using the free Nikon SnapBridge app.
Why the Z50II is not a complete D500 replacement
| Consideration | Z50II | D500 | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Card slots | One SD slot, according to the cited comparison | Two card slots, according to the cited comparison | Two cards can support backup or separate file workflows; a single slot offers less redundancy. |
| Controls | Lacks the D500’s joystick, according to the cited comparison | Dedicated joystick and extensive physical controls | Direct focus-point movement can be valuable when tracking unpredictable subjects. |
| Construction | Not described in the cited comparison as having the D500’s flagship-style build | Rugged construction and extensive weather sealing | Outdoor professionals must weigh durability and environmental protection against lower weight. |
| Burst claims | 11 fps RAW and 30 fps JPEG electronic shutter in the reported modes | Different DSLR shooting architecture | Frame rate alone does not establish buffer depth, tracking consistency or handling equivalence. |
| Viewfinder | Electronic viewfinder experience | Optical DSLR viewfinder | Some photographers prefer live exposure previews and overlays; others prefer an uninterrupted optical view. |
The comparison does not prove that the Z50II is inferior for every subject. Its newer processor and subject detection can be attractive for photographers who want mirrorless autofocus features, a lighter system or immediate access to Z-mount lenses. It does show why calling it a direct D500 replacement overstates what is established.
What a genuine D500-class mirrorless body would need
For wildlife and sports users, the meaningful checklist extends beyond headline resolution or maximum fps:
Rank #3
- Go Beyond Your Phone: Capture lifelike colors and incredible details from dawn to dusk thanks to a superior 20.9-megapixel DX format (APS-C size) sensor several times larger than that of a typical smartphone, but still lightweight and compact enough to fit in a small bag.
- Included with the Z50II Mirrorless body is the NIKKOR Z 16-50mm f/2.8 lens. This lens shines in low light. A fast maximum aperture of f/2.8 unlocks new creative possibilities in low light for portraiture, atmospheric interiors, nighttime cityscapes and more.
- Find Your Aesthetic: At the press of the Picture Control button, choose from 31 built-in presets designed to make your photos and videos stand out. Create and save your own Picture Control presets or download bespoke Cloud Picture Controls directly to your Z50II from Nikon Imaging Cloud. Play with results in real-time as you shoot and open up a world of creative possibilities
- Focus with Confidence: People, dogs, cats, birds and vehicles—the Z50II can automatically detect and accurately track nine distinct subjects. Plus dedicated bird and airplane modes for even greater autofocus accuracy.
- Powerful Video: Capture the scene with incredible quality and detail with 4K UHD/60p, in-camera 120p slow-motion in Full HD, built-in electronic VR and product review mode. Built-in Flash: Get beautifully balanced photos indoors and at night. Use Night Portrait mode to create natural-looking slow-shutter flash portraits. Share in a snap: Send photos and video to your smart device in seconds using the free Nikon SnapBridge app.
- Reliable subject tracking: autofocus must stay on birds, mammals, vehicles or athletes through clutter and erratic movement.
- Usable sustained bursts: published rates should be considered alongside buffer behavior, RAW support and recovery time.
- Professional redundancy: dual card slots and configurable backup recording matter when a shoot cannot be repeated.
- Rugged ergonomics: weather sealing, a deep grip, accessible controls and a focus-point joystick reduce friction in difficult conditions.
- Viewfinder quality: refresh rate, blackout behavior, lag and information overlays influence fast-action timing.
- DX reach and lens depth: the body needs a practical selection of long Z-mount lenses and a total system cost that makes sense for the buyer.
TechRadar’s 2026 rumor roundup discusses a hypothetical D500-style camera and suggests possible specifications, but those are the author’s expectations rather than a Nikon roadmap: TechRadar’s 2026 rumor coverage.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you buy a Z50II or keep using a D500?
Choose the Z50II now if
- You want a current Nikon DX mirrorless body with EXPEED 7 and subject detection.
- You are willing to work with one SD card and a more compact control layout.
- You value the Z mount and want to build around Nikon’s current mirrorless lens and accessory system.
- You need a camera now rather than waiting for an unannounced product.
Keep the D500 if
- Your existing setup depends on dual-card redundancy, rugged construction or the D500’s joystick-driven controls.
- You already own compatible F-mount lenses and the DSLR workflow remains reliable for your assignments.
- You would consider a switch only if Nikon delivers a body with genuinely professional handling, not simply a higher burst number.
Consider a different Nikon Z body if
Photographers willing to change format, budget or both can also evaluate Nikon’s full-frame Z cameras. The relevant comparison should include autofocus for the intended subject, crop latitude, lens prices and weight, battery life, card configuration and the cost of replacing existing lenses. Nikon’s overview confirms that Z cameras are sold through Nikon and authorized retailers, with NIKKOR Z lenses and accessories available within the system: Nikon USA Z-system overview.
What to do while waiting for a rumored successor
- Define the requirement: write down whether your priority is bird tracking, field durability, silent shooting, reach, backup recording or low weight.
- Check the actual mode: when comparing frame rates, confirm RAW or JPEG, electronic or mechanical shutter, autofocus restrictions and buffer limits.
- Price the whole system: include the telephoto lens, spare batteries, cards, grip and weather protection rather than comparing bodies alone.
- Test handling: if possible, assess joystick access, viewfinder response, subject acquisition and menu speed with the lens you will use.
- Set a waiting limit: a rumor has no purchase date, confirmed specification or guaranteed price. Keep using a working D500 or choose an available Z body based on today’s needs.
Bottom line on the Z70 and Z90 rumors
A mirrorless D500 successor could raise Nikon’s crop-sensor ceiling if it combines modern subject detection and fast readout with dual-card reliability, rugged sealing and professional controls. As of October 13, 2026, however, Nikon has announced no such camera. The Z50II is the confirmed DX alternative, not the rumored successor, and Z70 or Z90 reports should be treated as speculation until Nikon publishes an official announcement.
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