imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

If you are serious about size/weight, forget interchangeable lenses. - Sony RX100 VI or VII OR, with a bit more size and weight RX10 IV. Saves the most size/weight with still reasonable IQ .....yes, it is hard to leave your big, old heavy stuff behind ! See some of my topics featuring the RX10 for samples.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

The only way to really save weight is with Olympus.
Smaller lenses and thus less weight.
Generally any mirrorless from Nikon, Canon or Sony will not have any major discernable weight reduction due to lenses Especially your D5200 is already very light.
Look at Olympus and remember that 100mm is equal to 200mm on Nikon FF.

dpswbab

I would go with either a Panasonic G95 or Olympus E-M5 iii with the Panasonic 14-140 ii lens. These combinations are much lighter than your Nikon setup and will provide image quality almost as good. You may find the G95 easier to learn, but the E-M5 has a number of functions that the G95 doesn't have. You should be aware that m4/3 uses an aspect ratio of 4:3 whereas your Nikon is 3:2. Years ago I went from the Nikon D7100 to Olympus bodies with a mix of Olympus and Panasonic lenses. I don't regret the change one bit.

jcwall396 Loc: Roswell, GA

Lots of great suggestions here, but if you want to go mirrorless, I purchased the Nikon Z50 cropped camera with the two kit lenses, then purchased the 18-140mm to go with those. I took the Z50 all over Iceland with only the 18-140mm and the photos were awesome. Very, very lightweight and honestly I never missed a shot. Like you, I can't tote around the heavy gear bags anymore. The Z50 is an excellent little camera.

vanderhala Loc: Los Angeles, CA

I was going to say something similar but more generic: try not changing WHAT you carry but HOW you carry it . I use Peak Design clip on my backpack (sometimes a small backpack that holds almost nothing) so that the camera and lens handgun away from the midline ; the Cotton makes it hang in midline but being short that way I cannot see my feet! (Using D7200 with Tamron 18-400 or rarely 100-400). Hanging from waist is less comfy fir me as it sticks out and swings more .

JD750 Loc: SoCal

😅😅

promfh Loc: Redwood City, CA, USA

i have a similar problem with my shoulders hauling my camera (Nikon D610 with dual batteries, 70-300 lens). I picked up an Olympus Tough to use when I’m just wandering around but bring the “big glass” when I’m getting serious about pictures.

Two things I’ve found useful. My son-in-law gave me a harness that goes over both shoulders with a large pad in the back. That distributes the weight towards the centerline which help quite a bit.

Then I found a large wheeled “Running stroller” that I modified to hold camera, tripods. Walking stick etc. it will hold two cameras with big lenses as well as a third with a macro lens. There’s room for other items (rain gear, lunch, etc.) as well. It folds up to fit easily in the back of our Toyota RAV4 and is essential when I bring my 600mm or 1000mm (500 with 2X) as well as my wife’s similar gear. It has allowed me to continue using my older gear and avoiding totally changing my camera system.

I’m a 78 Y-O wildlife photographer with a couple of joint problems that make the trails longer and hills steeper. Depending on where you are going these ideas might help out a bit.

druthven

I chose the belt since I can carry the camera on either right or left hip and away from the midline. Being 87 years old and not the mountain goat I was 50 years ago I would hate to trip and fall forward with a camera strapped to my chest.

vanderhala Loc: Los Angeles, CA

The spellchecker strikes again. Thanks

vanderhala Loc: Los Angeles, CA

I did exactly that last January in Joshua Tree National Park with my kids and grandkids: missed the last step on our first day walk and went down straight frontwards. I did not injure my hands (I play the violin) or arms, not my camera (hanging at my chest on the Peak Design clip), but sprained ankle and was in pain 3 weeks. The camera and lens were unscathed.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Yep!! The spelling miscorrector as I call it.

It's all good we knew what you meant and it was a good laugh.

druthven

A badly sprained ankle is nothing to sneeze at, (I've been there), but all things considered you can count your lucky stars.

jimpitt

Primarily for weight and size reasons, I recently traded a D500 with a large zoom for a Zfc. Comes with two zooms, very light weight. If you do not want the "retro" look ... the Z50 would be the way to go. Same zooms. I am sold on mirrorless .... very happy with my recent change.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I love my Canons. I never really was fond of Nikon. But I have three trains of thought. You could buy a shoulder strap that will hold one or two bodies that will suspend them on either side. That way, you can switch off to prevent the load bearing. You could carry one body and a belt attachment that spins for three different lenses. My favorite right now is a wrist strap. It is attached to my wrist preventing me from putting it down and forgetting it. All are moderately priced.

Boris77

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Boris