Bill Koepsel Loc: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Looking for a new camera. Any ideas on which one would be better? A camera which might do birds and landscapes equally as good?
Bill

bnsf

Sony RX10M4 all you need in one camera. $1598.00

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

DSLR people will tell you to get the d500. Mirrorless people will tell you to get the G9.

Both cameras are great.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Interesting match up, even though both cameras have the same amount of pixel's, 20 vs. 21, the D500 has a larger sensor, that will give you more control over depth of field. The burst shooting is 10fps D500 vs. 20fpsG9 and of coarse the mirrorless is smaller and lighter. Both are awesome cameras.

delkeener Loc: SW Rhode Island, USA

I would pick the G9 and add some really great Leica lenses.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

The D500 is generally considered to be superior to the G9, but you should also consider the Fujifilm X-T3 which many consider to be equal to the D500. Also, Don't consider cameras in isolation from the lenses you will need--it is the system weight, AF and IQ that you should compare, not just the cameras.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

What camera/lenses are you using now? That could be the deciding factor. If you're currently shooting Nikon, but went with the G9, you'd have to start out all over again with a whole new set of lenses. If you could sell off the Nikon kit, that would offset some of the cost. If you liked the Fuji enough to go that way, it would be the same thing.

Each camera, the G9 and the D500 are very good at what they do, and the D500 is considered to be probably the best APS-C DSLR for action and wildlife, to include birds. I really don't know anything particular about the G9 except that it is a very good camera in the MFT format and that it's less expensive than the D500 by several hundred dollars, and that it's quite capable. I know almost nothing about the Fuji system, but those that have them wouldn't have anything else. Pretty much it boils down to which one appeals to you the most. Go try them both out and see how they feel. And I'm sure you'll get lots of good feedback from owners of both.

HardwareGuy

I am into my second month with my G9 after having been a Nikon user "forever". I won't be looking back.
Although I did not own the D-500, I can speak for the G9.
The G9 is a techno-wonder that creates outstanding images.
With my Lumix 14-140mm lens I have a 28-280 equivalent in a package about 2/3 that of a DSLR.
Image quality less than an APS-C (or even a FF)? Not that I can see.
It seems like about the only ones who actively dis a MFT of this caliber, are those who want to justify their DSLR.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Thanks for that good report on the G9.

HardwareGuy

Also, have a look at naturalexposures.com.
Daniel is a professional photographer who thinks very highly of the G9, and uses it extensively for outdoors, birds, etc.

User ID

Yes indeed they ARE very similar. Even the "DoF
control" thing is a moot point ... not enuf sensor
size difference to really matter.

Even the difference between 10 and 20fps isn't
really that significant, as only the fastest shutter
speeds allow either camera to achieve 10fps, let
alone 20 !

But the G9 has a couple of tricky tricks for both
landscapes and wildlife. For tripod mounted use,
landscapes can be rendered at 80MP [yes, thaz
"eighty"]. For wildlife, BIF etc and equally useful
for sports, the G9 ... using 6K at 18MP ... can
record 10 frame before plus 10 frames following
use of the shutter release button. You'll have no
more excuses for missing the best moment !

Also the G9 can do "dual IS" which I've found to
be verrrry effective, and offers IBIS in case you
dabble in odd lenses lacking any optical IS.

The G9 is hardly small ... altho the D500 is also
rather oversized for its format. As to the size of
lenses, m43 lenses are smaller, but you may find
yourself carrying more of them, cuz they are so
compact and affordable. IOW a kit bag for either
choice would be about the same size and weight.

I have no gripes about Nikon. I have the 610 and
750 plus a grip and a zillion lenses. And I'm very
interested in a "Z". But there's no way I'd swap
my G9 for a D500, unless it included a huge cash
difference, enuf cash to buy me replacement G9 !

.

User ID

If one insists on creating such a problem, then I
spoze the problem will arise.

I use some Nikons and Nikon lenses. Then I added
a G9 and some lenses for that. In no way do I feel
like I've had to "start all over". I simply have more
tools now for various purposes.

Used digital gear doesn't bring much return so I'm
sure many users do just as I did, and keep what is
on hand and remains useful. If it's somehow NOT
useful, what little cash it brings in isn't much of a
deciding factor in what to choose going forward.

If I choose to sell the Nikons, it will be more about
reducing clutter than about redeeming great value.


`

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

The choice of body is important, but just as important, or maybe more important, are the lenses you plan on buying. I have more money in glass than I do in bodies. Go with whoever you think makes the glass that best suits your needs. I wouldn't limit yourself to those 2 cameras either. At least, look at Canon and Sony as well. Many argue that Canon makes better glass than Nikon and Sony is no slouch.

User ID

I read that sooooo often when I read replies
to questions about choosing a camera body.

Either many folks don't understand the OP
in such cases, or maybe are just confessing
to spending too much for lenses ?

.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

The OP wants to shoot birds, which generally calls for a sharp, long, zoom, which can easily cost more than the camera body. So, I believe the reply I provided was completely appropriate as he will have to do some research of birding glass in addition to a body. How much I spend on my gear is my business, no need for any confessions to anyone with the possible exception of my wife.