By “pancake” one implies a Tessar formulation, these 4 element lenses have a reputation for high color saturation and high quality centers, by definition these lenses rarely exceed f2.8. It was the reduction of elements that give the tessar its unique image qualities. Modern coatings have reduced the internal lens flare and have increased both speed and sharpness with the addition of modern lens coating providing for more correctove lens elements.

I can’t stress enough how much you would enjoy any Nikon DSLR than incorporated the screw drive, D90’s,D300’s are cheap, D7***’s are all terrific cameras, heck even FF D700’s are cheap. AF and AF-D lenses are a smart enthusiast choice. Lots of great, cheap, fun screw drive lenses out there on the used market. Easy to learn and easy to master, a terrific step up

The noise! Is number1, I shoot med jpeg which is plenty large for my 13x19 prints, downsizing cuts an already clean sensor noise dramatically in my experience. I’m no “Digital Scientist” but there’s an explanation out there somewhere.
Moving up from a D700 I really notice the difference, probably not so much from a D810 though.
The amazing files out of camera do it for me.

Based on what you have used in the past I’d say…quit worrying and relax, you know how to use this camera out of the box.
The additional settings regarding focusing and metering will perhaps be your biggest hurdle.
I went from D700 to acquiring a D850 on a great deal from a pro acquaintance. The additional settings on the D850 were easy-peasy. Oh, and the D810 is…the 2and greatest DSLR ever made, at least by Nikon.

I’m sorry but I couldn’t decide where to edit the quote so it’s all there. I too generally share this well presented opinion. Today I used my D850 to take some photographs. My MFT stuff was also on the front seat. I knew what my vision of the photos were, but adjusted my exposure a few times to compensate for blowing out some highlights. I pushed the +/- button and took several exposures of the scene accordingly. I’ll judge them on my computer later.
Had I selected my EM-5 I could have reviewed my photos in real time and adjusted my exposure using a thumb dial.
The Oly MFTs work great, but sometimes using it feels like wearing someone else’s shoes, just not quite comfy,, still working on it. After all that ad nauseum use what makes you happy, that’s all.

Both sides to the story, I use both, Oly MFT and Nikon DSLRs, tempted to go all in an a Z though

There are no downsides to mirrorless only upsides, well battery life is kind of a biggie to me.

17 pages! Has anybody learned anything?

Mirrorless is great! I love my Oly MFT stuff, I also love my D850, D700s and D300S. I have a foot in both camps, I could live with just the Oly stuff but:
1. Batteries always seem to die when I need the camera most apparently (my fault).
2. Them buttons sure are tiny.
3. My D850
Been using mirrorless since 2003 Coolpix 5000.

Wow! 14 pages of arguing nothing. I have both! Nikon DSLRs and Olympus MFT. I prefer them both, they both work great. Batteries always seem about to die in the Olympusii. Both take great photos. It’s nice to see the live view in the Olys, it’s more “photog” skill set to see the pic in the DSLR, I like either.

Captain Obvious called, he loves this thread. I have both forms, mirrorless is great, but my batteries are always dead it seems, whereas I can run my dishwasher with my D3 batteries

???? He owns a Nikon, huh

The best inexpensive lens…prime or zoom?
1. Prime- 50mm f1.8
2. Zoom- Af-d 28-70 f3.5-4.5

[quote=Mwilliamsphotography]”LOL! custom frame. Big deal. 1/2 the stuff I frame is custom.”

You must be quite the Mattemaster

…and cropping the D850 is pretty much the pixel density of a D500