robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I already have the R7 + 18-150 and am planning on the 100-400 and 1.4x for carry around. My two L grade EF zooms (70-300 & 100-400mk2) and Tamron 150-600 G2 work great with the adapter but they are getting a bit bulky and heavy as I see my 77th birthday coming down the street (Oct 8). On a tripod or out of a blind they are great on my EF bodies or the R7 w/adapter but for carrying when out and about they are getting to be a bit much.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Yes, this would be a small, light, relatively inexpensive option... R10 costs $979...

I don't have an R10, but have heard the electronic viewfinder is quite "tight"... you have to be aligned pretty closely to see it clearly. (The R7 has considerably larger, higher magnification EVF, though it appears to use the same screen resolution.)

The R10 doesn't have IBIS. The RF 100-400mm does have IS, though.

The R10 shoots at 15 frames/sec with mechanical shutter, same as R7. However the R10's e-shutter maxes out at 23 frames/sec.

R10 must have a pretty small buffer... shooting RAW with the e-shutter will max it out in less than 1 sec.

Single SD card slot.

1/4000 top shutter speed (R7 has 1/8000, plus a 1/16000 with the e-shutter)

24MP (R7 is 32.5MP)

Smaller LP-E17 battery (R7 uses larger LP-E6NH to get about 50% more shots per charge)

Little to no sealing for weather resistance (R7 has about the same sealing as 90D, good but not as good as 7DII, etc.)

The RF 100-400mm lens is nearly half the weight of anyone else's 100-400mm, even the M.Zuiko for M4/3! However, the Canon RF 100-400mm is also relatively "slow". It has a variable aperture f/5.6-f/8. This will limit low light shooting as well as the amount of background blur possible.

But, hey, $1600 for camera and lens? Heck of a good price! Add an RF-S 18-45mm kit lens for $120 or an RF-S 18-150mm for $400. (Sold separately the 18-45mm costs $299 and the 18-150mm for $499.)

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Canon offers an RF 600mm f/11 for $600 and an RF 800mm f/11 for $899. Both are small and light enough to hand hold, too. (But most people would struggle to hand hold a steady shot on an APS-C camera, even with IS and IBIS.)

Also, the RF 1.4X ($499) works quite well on the RF 100-500mm, making for a 700mm f/10 combo.

neillaubenthal

Pretty bold statement…there are plenty of reasons to choose to shoot in DX mode…not worth debating here as they don’t help oP with his question. I usually shoot in FX…but moving to DX for the right reasons is always a good option. Making blanket statements like that is about as much truth as you know who’s frequent blathering that only a mirrorless full frame body can possibly make a good image and that you will go from a hack to a Pulitzer winning shot merely by following his advice to get a FF mirrorless. There are way too many variables to be making blanket statements like that.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

There are MORE options for cropping when you do it in post ....AND - this does pertain to the op !

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Every reason I’ve ever heard for using DX mode has been easy to refute.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

linda lagace

I thank every one who has responded to my questions.
I will consider all of your suggestions as I make my decision in the next few months.
I did a quick check and my D800 which I bought 10 years ago has 170k+ actuations.
My guess is I have a bit more to go. Although the D800 is listed as good for 200k,my guess is I might be able to go a bit further. I guess a lot depends on the specific camera and how much the shooter has abused it!
But I will probably get the new "bird" camera and save the D800 for others things since I really like it and would have trouble parting with it.