Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Have a D500 and played with the Z6 at my local camera shop using my Tamron 18-400mm f3.5-5.6 zoom and downloaded the images to a MacBook Pro with calibrated screen. Couldn't tell much of a difference in IQ in good light. Had problems with the Z6 AF at lower light levels (lens hunting and/or would never find focus) where the D500 locked in immediately. Did not test Z6 AF with moving subjects, but everything I read says the D500 will win that battle. I'm going to wait another year or two before jumping into Nikon mirrorless. Will probably stay with Nikon as I have a lot of expensive f mount glass. If starting from scratch, would probably go with Sony. Have you noticed Nikon has already discounted the Z6 and Z7 by including the f mount lens adapter for free.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Did you read that somewhere? You don't exhibit the skill to know the difference in your two images postings. A good photographer with skill can make good images with any camera, that's true. A skilled photographer will select the most favorable camera and lens for the job at hand. There is nothing silly about selecting a camera that you feel will do the job you are faced with. Otherwise, there would only be one camera for everyone and we wouldn't need to make such decisions. Don't be silly, silly, silly.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Z6 hands down.
Much newer technology, D500 is getting long in the tooth as well.
Also the new lenses are better and the future of Nikon.
Finally NO micro adjustment ever necessary. Lenses are perfect focus out of the box. WOW!

ajames420

I know this post is old but, I currently have a D80, D7200 and spent my money in glass over bodies. But, now that I am shooting more action photos of my kids and the leagues they play in (cycling, hockey, etc) I am looking at something that would be fast focus and can record video.

I have been torn between the D500 and Z6. I don't get paid for anything I am doing and most of my shots are for family of players, friends or landscapes for my family and vacations.

The cost of the D500 is much more appealing over the Z6 considering the adapter for the lenses is another $250 or so.

Any thoughts?

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

For action you want the D500 ......

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

I tend to agree with Larry. I can only speak to the D500. Like you, I shot with a D300 for many years before purchasing a D500 a couple years ago. Along the way I felt I really needed a full frame camera and purchased a D810 and with a bevy of full frame glass. After over a year's time with both cameras I use the D810 for landscapes and the D500 for most everything else. My shooting does not compare to yours however. I do no work in a studio with professional lighting. But for dimly lit performances, macros, and wildlife I almost always pick up my D500.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I'm glad to hear that the Z cameras focus as well as the D500 does.

ajames420

Saxman71,

Thanks for the very quick reply. I know this is everyone's worry as well. As soon as pull the plug and order the D500, Nikon will have a new DXXX a month later.

But, from what I am reading, watching and reviewing I think I am in agreement with your suggestion. I will sell my other bodies and roll with just the D500.

Thanks again and the people here have invaluable insight.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Considering what you shoot, I'd look at the D7500 rather than the D500. It has the same processor and low-light capability but not quite the same AF capability, but you don't really need that. It's smaller, too, so much easier to handle.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

What criteria are you using for "better"?

alfengael

The only advantage of the D500 is its great focussing, tracking, and low-light capabilities—big advantages if you're shooting birds in flight or fast-action sports. Otherwise, the many, many advantages of the Z6 or Z7 far outweigh the D500. You get IBIS that will add another level of VR to your F-mount lenses, especially those without VR; you get much better signal-to-noise performance and the ability to shoot at higher ISOs if you need to. You get OSPDF that eliminates the need to fine-tune your lenses, including your F-mount lenses. All the other features that I am sure you have explored just make a Z body all the more appealing. Not to mention it's the latest technology and certainly where digital photography is heading in the future.

Although I own both the Z6 and Z7, and although I think it's bit of a toss-up as to which is really better for which type of photography, I recommend the Z7 for studio work. I shoot almost all my studio work with the Z7 in DX mode—essentially the equivalent of a DX body like the D500, unless I need to make huge prints or need to make non-standard crop-size.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Every independent tester I have seen rates the Z6 better than the D500 at low light performance.

https://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Compare/Side-by-side/Nikon-D500-versus-Nikon-Z6___1061_1269

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BebuLamar

For that the Z6 is better. The advantage of the D500 is that it can shoot fast but you don't need. It has 2 card slot but since you work in studio you can check and down load your images often.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I'm a mirrorless fan but have owned the D500 and have no experience with the Z6. I now shoot with the Sony A7R4.

Based on what I have read and comments here the Z6 is no match for the D500 when focusing. As much as I prefer the benefits of ML what I value most is focus speed, and accuracy. My choice unquestionably when limited to these two cameras is the D500.

All the improvement in sensor tech means nothing if the image is not in focus.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

But studio shots have plenty of time to attain focus, so we need to use OP’s values - not our own.