I have been very pleased with DX format in the higher quality bodies such as the D500. I generally shoot both jpg fine and raw. But this is not my business; I'm a serious amateur and don't fully yet appreciate the advantages of FX. Maybe in retirement I'll become more serious and convert.

It's an easy choice.
Apple has a reputation of not focusing on internal R&D and most in the PC industry does, especially Microsoft.
Industry leaders predict that windows will take over the cellular phone and tablet market within 5 years. Apple's big-headed self-important attitude will kill their market. Jobs was a marketing genius; but it's over now. I have Dell at home and Lenova in the office; my wife has two Apples. There's no comparison of performance.

Jim Bob - To "google the cheapest" was dumb advice. Simply read what several others have said. Topic closed for me.

Jim Bob - Why don't you offer some advice instead of criticizing. Your negativism is not appreciated. If you don't like what you read, get off the site.

As a general rule whatever Consumer Reports says is likely the opposite of what you should buy. They might be good for vacuum cleaners and laundry soap, but not credible for items such as high quality goods like cameras and automobiles.
Simply said, do you want cropped or full frame?
The D7100 (now replaced by the D7200) is the one of the best of cropped format. However, the NEW D500 should be considered as state of the art DX. The D610 is a base level full frame (FX) and substantially more expensive. The D750 might be a better choice for FX. Keep in mind that full frame lenses are also more expensive.

Skip the cheapies. For brands, PNY and especially Ativa (owned by Office Max) are crap.
SanDisk is the standard of quality and there are several levels. Extreme Pro and Extreme Plus are the best with speeds up to 95. 32 GB is a good size, especially if shooting in RAW. 64 and 128 GB are available, but likely more than needed. The 32 GB should get you up to 4,000 images. My D5500 only has one card slot, unlike a D7100 and others, so dependability is important. If you do any video, the faster the speed the better. I just returned from 9 days vacation on the PCH and Napa shooting over 2,000 images, 24.5 MP, saving in both Fine and RAW and the 64 GB was more than needed. Watch Best Buy for sales.

I am extremely happy with the 18-300 on my D5500. I only carry one lens when traveling, and it is lightweight and perfect for most any "vacation type" of photos. Worth the $999.00 for me.
For an D810 with full frame, I'd say no. Get a FX lens to utilize the full use of the full frame format. IF I upgrade to a 750 or 810, I'll get the 20-200? to match.

I have the 18-300 on my D5500 and I am VERY pleased. It is surprisingly light and the quality is acceptable for D format. Worth the $999.00 retail. I also have the 18-55 "kit" lens and never use it.

I NEVER had to repair my MS machines. Upgraded Windows 7 to 8 to 10 and I have never seen a technician. Never a crash.
My wife's Apple is a totally different story. Maybe I am lucky. Yes, I buy virus software for a few hundred $ a year.

Stick with Dell, or some other Microsoft format. Apple programs are a mess.

Quote Reply: Yes, Peter. The other issue for me was the extra weight of FX format lenses in addition to the camera weight. It is important to me to have a GOOD, not excellent, camera with me almost constantly and I really don't want to lug around stuff. I am driving the PCF (US #1) from San D to Napa next month and I plan to take maybe 6,000 images over 8 days .... I'll give the Leica to my wife for the misc shots of faces over lunch etc (her iPhone 6S is shxx). ~~ Jim.

I agree with all you say. My point was I wanted to get the most of DX format by shooting in both RAW AND JPEG FINE. FX bodies cost substantially more, and as said I am an amateur. Also, the extra weight of the D810 (or similar) was a huge downside for me. Agreed, results are what is important. That is also why I do not use cheap disc cards. Thanks for your comments.

I am obviously an amateur or I would be shooting full format instead of a D5500. My point was that disc space is cheap and I move the images to a computer quite frequently anyway. Shooting in JPEG Fine AND RAW gives me two images and the ability to have the best of both worlds. It is said that the "best camera is the one you have with you." The D5500 (traded up from a D80 last year) is quite lightweight and therefore I never leave it in the hotel room. The Leica is really just for snapshots of dinner parties and serves that limited purpose very well (it is a twin to a Panasonic model body however the Leica glass quality is far superior). My underwater Olympus is reserved for just that and reserved for jumping out of airplanes someday (not yet).

I have a phone with picture ability that I have never used. 8 pixil with a crappy quality lens is just not acceptable for much.
My main camera is a Nikon 5500 with 24.5 pix and a "shirtpocket" Leica of 12.5 pix. I always shoot RAW on the 5500 for the ability to enhance. The Leica is ALWAYS in my glovebox so there is no reason to use the camera on the phone. My 3 cents.

Introverts have much more to contribute to society than babbling airheads pretending to be multi-tasking which is just another name for being scatterbrained.