avemal Loc: BALTIMORE

Been using my D500 since the day it came out ( 5 years ?)

Been looking for a new DSLR but this seems to do all what I want do with a new Nikon. Can!t move on with another.

keywest305 Loc: Baltimore Md.

Dont let that 500 go. Great camera. I have the 850 and also the 500. There is nothing they can't do

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

avemal, I've been using my Nikon F since Christmas Eve 1971. I've never been concerned about updating it. I have, however, been presented with opportunities to purchase other cameras, film and digital. It never came out of a desire to look for another camera. Those just seemed to have found their way into my home.

Over the years of my membership here, I see this desire to purchase a new camera arise frequently. My question is always what will a new camera do that your current one will not? You seem to have answered that question here. All a camera needs is accurate shutter speed, aperture, and an accurate ISO setting.
--Bob

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Why have both the D500 and the D850?

photoman43

Buy another D500. It is a great camera. If it gets the job done, why consider anything else?

PS. I use my D500 all the time.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Probably for the same reason I have a 35mm and 4x5. Two different formats with different results.
--Bob

keywest305 Loc: Baltimore Md.

Good question. I buy and try them all. My wife ask the same question. Why did you need all these lens? Only 21 ...probably sell some soon.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

First, there won't be any new DSLRs.

Second, how can you exhaust the usefulness of Nikon's last and best DX-sized DSLR? The shutter is rated to a minimum 200,000. The body is built for a life-time, as the last DSLR you'd need.

You might want to rethink this bought of GAS.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Most leading camera manufacturers have their line of professional flagship cameras and the D500 is among Nikon's. It's built to be a workhorse and to provide reliable service through the toughest conditions. I'd actually like to have one myself.

Yes, it has older technology, however, it is a technology that is tried and true. A digital camera can be divided into two main components, the mechanical including its construction, and its electronics and firmware that operates it. The Nikon D500 doe not pale in either.

Yes, mirrorless technology has some very convenient and helpful features that a DSLR cannot offer. I'm confident that the Z9 will set new standards in the Nikon line of cameras. However, I believe that the ultimate goal of a camera is to be reliable and to provide a quality of images that are pleasing to the user and that is what makes someone much like me, happy to have our camera in hand.

Although the seller of cameras would be happy to take your money, If I had a D500 and some cash to invest, I'd invest it in lenses that would help improve my shots and that would allow me to do some exciting new things. A camera is just a tool, no different than a hammer. Do you want one with a curved claw or a straight claw for other than that, they are basically the same.

keywest305 Loc: Baltimore Md.

Buy the camera that does your style. In the end its the photo you produce not what took the picture.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Let me count the reasons...actually, I'll just list a few.

For me, the D500 offers some subtle and even not-so-subtle ergonomic benefits over the D850. It's not quite as thick front to back, and the sculpting of the various curved pieces is just quite a bit more pleasing and comfortable over a long period of time.

Sometimes 46Mp is just way overkill for what I'm doing. 21 Mp is many times just about right, and the fine/large JPEGs will always fit within file size limits for attaching to an email, both at school and at at home. And while I can set the D850 to generate almost identical results, I can't adjust its ergonomics.

While the D500 has been called a "little brother" to the D5, it is, in fact, a near twin brother to the D850. Control layout is identical, menu structure is identical, there is only about one stop difference in dynamic range and sensitivity, and equal picture control setup produces indistinguishable image output (or editing starting point). There are a couple of neat new functions on the D850 that weren't (and aren't) available on the D500.

I've looked and looked at the newer technology offerings. My conclusion is that in general, a photographer who depends on his equipment to get results can gain from the new technology. A photographer who knows how to use his equipment to get results will probably gain very little, although in some cases, the work might be easier. This may change as technology continues to develop, but the truth is that the D500 is a very mature camera that is capable of must about anything it is asked to do.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I see the D850 being suggested again as your default solution to all photography questions ... what happened to promised default Samsung solution instead?

BebuLamar

Samsung said it would own the mirrorless business. It didn't come true though.

User ID

You already have a maximal SLR, and SLRs are no longer seeing any further development. If you insist on getting gassy, hit the chili.

User ID

Excellent very even handed summary.
I happen to treat myself to some “faster-easier” but I’m just being good to me. I know my newish stuff does nothing I wasn’t doing with my oldish stuff.