[1] A nearly identical, albeit manual focus version, called the Nikon F-301 (N2000 in North America) was also available.

[2] The F-501 is a 35 mm single-lens reflex camera with automatic film loading and advance, almost a first for Nikon (the F-301 was their first SLR to feature this).

Maximum film advance speed is 2.5 frames per second (frame/s) on continuous mode, but can be as slow as 1.4 frames/s depending on the status of the focus/exposure locks.

AF-I, AF-S and AF-P Nikkor lenses also use a focus motor in the lens, but are not compatible with the short-lived system introduced with the F3-AF.

In both cases, the camera will function with lenses without these abilities, but will not autofocus or may not have full auto exposure capabilities.

Continuing Nikon's practice at time, the F-501 has interchangeable focusing screens, a feature that is now quite unusual.

The introduction of a polycarbonate-clad body rather than metal, which caused the camera to be black instead of silver, was the most immediate and obvious change.