Hi ALL,
I am new to this forum, done much reading although have made a few posts – thank you for the wealth of information, the gift of sharing your combined knowledge, experiences and passions!

Being an ‘amateur re-tread’ – someone who’s been in and out of this hobby (livelyhood for others) now retired and willing to start again.
My first camera was an Army PX purchased - Mamiya-Sekor 1000DTL, today I am looking at two cameras, Nikon D-500 and Canon 7D – MKII.
To this end I look to this forum – not to decide for me, but to add to/ provide a ‘tipping point’ for my final decision.
Not a professional and not able to spend $5K+ to snap (in order of priority) wildlife, action and land/cityscaping photos, my choices have been narrowed down to these two, non FF cameras and lens families.

Here’s what I know (or think I do):
•Both cameras are ‘closely’ matched in specs, with Nikon D500 newer and having slightly better resolution capable of providing a sharper image (?), and Nikon has a higher ISO range (more noise)??!!

•Lenses for consideration are 18-200mm and 200-500mm. Tests and user’s results garnished from this forum and various links indicate both manufacturers produce comparable quality lenses at comparable prices- I hope to obtain the widest overlapping focal ranges with the least amount of equipment to carry around.

•Both have Wi-Fi ability: Nikon’s is built in, Canon requires a card slot and external adapter. I want to remotely see and snap the subject appearing in the viewfinder

•Nikon has an articulating, touch screen - Canon does not…. I feel both features are assets

•Regardless of choice, I must “RTFM” to gain command of the multitude of features as well as the confidence to know how to use & apply them. I am in awe of so many high quality photos that I see so often on this forum!

I am leaning toward Nikon D-500 for a few reasons, but my tipping point is – of all things – the wi-fi feature as I want to shoot in raw and jpeg, but NOT at the expense of an SD slot for wi-fi.
However, I’m uncertain if wi-fi feature of both cameras performs as I believe - Ability to 1) transfer/share photos to phone and beyond, 2) remotely view and snap the subject.
Wi-fi is a key consideration.... but, not at the expense of the 'end product'.... hence conundrum.

So, I’m turning my research/ beliefs/ assumptions and subsequent questions over to you all:
Am I in the ball park – have I correctly dissected the technical information properly?
Based on my beliefs that both cameras are somewhat/closely match optically and feature-wise, what have I failed to consider?

At the end of the day, I’m not looking for, nor desire a Nikon-Canon bashing contest – I realize both manufacturers have dedicated ‘camps’…. I’m looking for that ‘tipping point’ – if it exists.

Sorry for the long post.
Paul Winter

I faced the same kind of choices when purchasing my first DSLR. Research brought me to a choice between a Canon and a Nikon that were similar in specifications and price. In the end I chose the Nikon, and it is interesting to note that one of the deciding factors was that the technology of the Nikon was newer than that of the Canon! In your case, the Nikon D500 overshadows the Canon 7D in this regard. And it is a fine camera that suits the type of photography you do the most.

Once you have settled on a camera, the next thing to consider is the lenses. Which ones to use can be at least as important as which camera! The focal length range of zoom lenses is primarily a manufacturing issue that makes it easier to make a lens that is sharp through more of its focal lengths when that range is smaller. Newer lenses are improving this [such as the Nikon 200-500 and the Sigma Sport 150-600], but in general the rule of thumb is less focal length range = sharper photos. The size of the maximum available aperture is another thing to consider. Smaller apertures will not perform as well in low-light situations, but larger apertures are more expensive! So this means that compromise has to be made - focal length vs. aperture, and cost vs. aperture. Another thing to keep in mind is that [in Nikon - I am not familiar with Canon's lens systems] a full-frame [FX] lens can be used on a crop-sensor [DX] camera, and works beautifully as long as you are aware of the effect of the "crop factor". If you can see a full-frame camera in your future, this is something to consider, since lenses can be more of an investment than the camera! [DX lenses can be used on an FX camera, but do not use the whole sensor thereby putting limitations on the results that can be obtained.]

Hope this helps.
Susan

Welcome! I’ve read most of the responses and you’ve gotten great advice. FWIW, I bought the D500 for the dynamic range, better focus, better buffer and other improvements so many others have mentioned (plus I already own Nikon lenses). The 16-80 f/2.8-4 that came with mine is a great all-purpose lens. The articulating screen and built-in WiFi were a bonus. I use the WiFi rarely because I prefer to share images AFTER pp.

My other consideration was the D750; but I decided to stay with a crop sensor. Of course, now there is the D850; but that is way out of my price range, too.

A note on using the WiFi. I had trouble setting it up but calling Nikon resolved that. Also, you can only send a JPG to SnapBridge on your mobile device. I shoot in RAW only, so my workaround is to perform a slight edit to a photo you want to send and the camera will save it as a JPG.

If you learn by reading and doing, I found the book, “Nikon 500 Experience” by Douglas J Klostermann very helpful.

BTW, after reading this post, I’ll be adding the Nikon 200-500 to my wish list.

Good luck and happy shooting!

Hi Paul First welcome to the group and second happy retirement. I will tell you up front I am no pro nor do I have the vast knowledge of many of the others. But what I do have are a couple of Canon cameras. I started with the SX40 and had a chance to buy a 7d from a professional whom belong to a club I went to. I got some L series lenses for it. Then I wanted something a little lighter so I got the Rebel T4i and the lenses I had all fit. Next I had a chance to go to Africa and saw that if I took either camera I would need a much longer lens. That is when the SX50 came out so I ordered it from B&H. Have to brag on that little camera as I got shots that no one else got because of its zoom. But then last year I wanted something newer then the Rebel. The 7d and the lenses were getting heavier and heavier for me at my age to carry. So with the help of all the wonderful people on this sight I ended up with the new Canon 80D. It is a great camera I just love it and all the rest just sit in the closet now. I am friends with a man that promotes Tamron lenses Mike Moats. I asked him about them as on the Web I see his work. So I ordered the Tamron 16-300mm and it lived on my camera till I just got the new 18-400mm. All my Canon lenses are also sitting in my closet. As we get older weight becomes a issue so think of that. I love photography and I have no intention of making money on it. I just share my work with all my friends on Facebook. So while you are checking out everything else look at weight and think to I want to spend all that money like that crazy Girl with a Canon did?

You really need to get your hands on both cameras and see which fits your hands, which one feels right to you. You can read all these posts until the cows come home and never know which camera is best for you. I’ve shot Nikons starting with the FT, and now use D700 that I love. I bought the D700 because it’s a full frame and “feels” perfect in my hands. Takes great photos even if it’s a old body. I just like the “Feel” of Nikons over Cannons, many have just the opposite opinion. My opinion and other opinions can not tell you which camera “Fits” YOU ‼️

My first SLR was the Mamiya-Sekor 1000DTL as well. The clerk in the AAFES BX in Udorn, Thailand told me that the "DTL" model stood for "Down Through the Lense". I bought it anyway and took many, many pictures there. Next up was a Minolta SRT 101 ... kept that one for almost 4 years ... a great learning tool. Had Olympus, Canon, Kodak and many, many smartphone cameras. Over time I got into Astro-Photography and the limitations in that field for film was daunting. Having to wait for film processing was a PIA. It still took me 17 years to jump in with the last camera I will probably ever buy ... the Nikon D610. I'm am over the moon with this camera and its features. Nikon vs Canon is a very sticky debate and people have their brand loyalties (prejudices).
What ever brand you go with you have to decide what your specific discipline will be. I don't believe that there is any camera that will cover ALL bases.

I have a Nikon D500 purchased about a year ago..No problems..and the noise that you speak of doesn't show up for me at all until around ISO 6400, at which time it can be easily dealt with in photoshop with the addition of a Topaz "DENOISE" plug-in for Photoshop.. I usually shoot in manual mode on on "AUTO-ISO", setting the ISO ceiling at 3200 for most purposes. I'm an active bird photographer, and use this camera i combo with a Tamron 150-600mm G2, which give me the equivalent reach of 900mm, and is tack sharp all the way open at F6.3..BTW, I'm older than most at almost 74! (YIKES!!) I use this combo with a Gimbal-headed Tripod, or a monopod, or even hand held if I'm "braced"..Good luck on whatever you choose to go with!!

The new D500 is more expensive than the 7D Mark II but it is also two years newer technology. In a head to head contest its probably a better camera partially as a result of that. If you were to get the 7D Mark II I would advise against the Canon 18-200 mm lens, which although fairly competent, does not really excel at anything and has high distortion levels and a design and build that's very old and outdated. In fact if you want the best from either camera you would do well to avoid any of the inexpensive superzoom, wide angle to medium telephoto, lenses from Canon, Nikon, or 3rd parties. They are very popular and extremely convenient, but any zooms lens with a focal range of more than around 4X to 5X (that's four to five times the widest focal length) will compromise image quality to one degree or another. One new lens, the Tamron 18-400 seems to be a relatively good performer, but like all lenses of its type there are still limitations.

Precisely what I said. I never said would not mount as you seem quite confused. They will mount. So what if you want a feature chances are it will not work with the D500. Canon has absolutely no such issue with the 7D MII. I said features. and again many Nikon lenses will not have features that work with the camera. They will mount and so what? I mount old Canon lenses, accessories, bellows etc onto my 7D. Here is an old FD bellows and and even older FL macro lens working just fine on my 7D/10D. Wow what a concept missed by you.