Archboo3 Loc: Central Florida

I think you will change your mind about never using it in DX mode. I've have both the D810 and D850 and have found several occasions to use them both in the DX mode, and also in the 1x1 mode. You'll be surprised.

BebuLamar

I agree but someone said that you can gain the frame rate if you shoot in DX mode which could be useful.

stuparr935 Loc: Dallas, Texas area

Right on … !

photoman43

I have both the D850 and the D500 and often use them both at the same time with different lenses. The D 850 in DX mode can replicate the sensor of the D500. But its frames per second are too slow for what I use and need the D500 mostly for--action shooting.

The answer is may be technically yes, but will it accomplish all that a separate D500 can do? Only you can answer that as your requirements vary from a reviewer.

Bill_de Loc: US

When and why?

The only advantages I see for not shooting full frame are to save space on the card and avoid post processing. I sometimes look at a picture and decide to print it square. I may also print it as an 8x10.

---

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Have them both and my passion is nature / wildlife especially birding. I use the D850 when I can fill the frame and the D500 when I can't. martinfisherphoto brought up that the D500 gives you more pixels than the D850 in DX mode. It turns out to be 7% more. Others comment that 7% isn't a noticeable difference. The more sensor pixels (sensils) you can put on the subject the more detail you can capture. That's the science of it. Why give up 7%? On the other hand, the D850 has focus stacking and a focus peaking features and has a better SNR compared to the D850, but when using it in DX mode, you give up the SNR advantage.

For those who say get closer. Sometimes you can, but sometimes it's impossible or even dangerous. Many times you can't get closer around water or cliffs and/or mountainous terrain, so then it's the D500 with a 200-500mm f/5.6 (many like a 500mm prime) or 600mm f/4G maybe adding my trusty 1.4x teleconverter as needed.

photoman43

When--when the extra sensor space is not needed. I use the 1.2 x mode a lot and sometimes the 5 x 4 mode. I do not use the 1 x 1 or DX mode that much.

Why--to save card space, hard drive space, reduce downloading time and cropping in post processing. And maybe clearing the buffer faster for action shooting--not sure about this one. And when you want a series of images with the same restrained format like a portrait shoot where the pictures have to have the same look. It is much easier to do this in camera than in post.

neillaubenthal

Another ridiculous trolling comment. FF cameras are just fine…as are DSLRs, mirrorless, and just about every brand. Since almost all of the art in a photograph comes from the user and not the equipment…constantly blowing smoke about the superiority of FF, MILC, and Canon is either trolling, fanboyism, or supposedly tongue in check humor but it's not even slightly amusing.

Having seen some of your images and some of your on the money comments and recommendation…it might be better to stick to those instead of posts like this.

neillaubenthal

Seems like a harsh one size fits all statement to me. For many shots…20MP is plenty and the smaller file size makes PP quicker and depending on the output the extra pixels in FF mode simply aren't necessary in some circumstances.

It is true that using FF and cropping in post might make keeping the action in the viewfinder easier for some…but that's an individual preference. Having never shot an 850 I'm not sure what the viewfinder look like in DX mode. However…making a blanket statement that DX in and 850 is worthless seems overkill. Steve Perry was recommended earlier in the thread…and he's on record as saying the 850 is great because it's got a D500 built in and in some circumstances that's a good thing.

Quality of a cropped in post FF vs a DX shot uncrossed will be the same based on pixels used for the final output and any cropped DX will be the same IQ as similarly cropped FF shot…so it's a matter of personal preference. Me…I wold probably not shoot in DX and I don't use my Z7II in DX mode either because it's easier to keep moving subjects in the viewfinder and one can crop to DX size but not centered and still have a usable shot rather than a clipped wing or head or tail shot with the center orientation in DX mode.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...I'm planning on doing the same thing with the Z9 as a base. The thought of using a single camera to replace *multiple* bodies is thrilling!

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...the "quote reply" button allows us to see who you are responding to. Of course, in this case we know... ;0)

Nicholas J DeSciose

If you have DX lenses the 850 will produce a better image. However the full potential of the D8 50 can only be achieved using it in the FX mode. Extraordinary camera with a Enormous dynamic range

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

Very well said indeed!!! {Just the "Facts Mam ... or ...Sir!}



Thanks,
Boone.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

sorry Zeke
I have a Sony A7R4 FF and use the crop mode frequently and love the results. Smaller RAW's and a little reach too
Have fun.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

I have the D500 and a while ago purchased the D850 to use, for wildlife, in the DX mode with a 500PF. The camera has a larger sensor and high dynamic range so operates better in low light situations than the D500. The images are, I think, better in quality. Once I got the D850 it stayed permanently attached to the Nikon 500PF. I still use the D500, but not very much, a good backup camera now. I like to shoot for the shot, not crop greatly afterwards so this approach works well for me. Unless I need to machine-gun it, as the D500 is capable of, the speed of the D850 is fine for most shots, especially the larger birds. I'll be photographing with it tomorrow at a couple of wildlife refuges and I think it will do fine. If I discover that it does not, I'll repost, but I shot with in Yellowstone this past spring and did not have a problem using it in DX mode: I just sold a photograph taken with it in DX mode for $250 so it is working out well for me.