Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

My D300 is long in the tooth and the new cameras have better focusing and higher ISO and other features. I'm looking at these two and would welcome comments from folks familiar with them. I shoot 99% in studio w/ studio strobes. (But might ease into non-strobe because of high ISO capability with the new camera). Headshots, full length swimsuits, nudes. Almost never shoot still lifes but am good at them. Do not shoot sports or fast movement.

Looking forward to hearing from you all.

CO

I recently rented to Nikon Z6 for two weeks. I did a lot of side by side shooting with my D500. I was very impressed with the Z6. The Z6 autofocus is no match for the AF in the D500 though. The Z6 would often hunt to acquire focus in even slightly dim light. My D500 would lock on right away. The D500 is better at tracking also The Z6 has a low light focusing mode but it just slows things down a little.

While I had the Z6, I also did some test shots using my studio strobes. I take light meter readings of the strobe flash, put the camera in manual mode, and enter the reading from the light meter. At first, the viewfinder was very dark - too dark to use. I found out that menu option d8: Apply Settings to Live View must be turned off.

Also, menu option d5 is how you switch between electronic shutter and mechanical shutter. Silent mode must also be turned on to have electronic shutter.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

From the description of what kind of photography is your preference, I'd say neither the D500 or Z6 would be an optimal choice for you. Both cameras are capable of high frame rates, fast and accurate auto focus (primarily D500), dust and moisture resistant and do quite well at higher ISO'S, all things you don't really need shooting stationary subjects in a studio. Sounds to me like you'd be better served with a D610 or D810 or even D850 depending on how much you want to spend.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Do what CO suggested, rent a Z6 and the Z to F adapter and try it out in your workflow. Opinions around here are fine, but it is you, and your work, that matters. Look at www.theslantedlens.com for his recent Z6 review.

Keen

Between those two cameras, I would go with the D500, since it has two card slots, and costs less, while the Z6 costs more, and only has one card slot. High burst rates, more AF points, etc, do not matter until after dual card slots have been obtained. My dual card slot D7200 gives me everything I need in the way of DX capability. When it finally breaks down, I will look at the D500, and possibly others, as a replacement. My D750 is taking care of my FX needs well enough. When I move on from that it will be to something more like the D850, or D5, rather than a current Z camera. When I pay that much money, I demand two card slots. Nothing else matters until I get at least that. After two card slots are achieved, THEN burst rates, AF points, 4K capability, MP counts, etc, begin to be considered. The Z cameras-so far-have only one card slot each, so neither of them make my list.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

If superior optical performance matters, you will want the Z6's S lenses ...

Bill_de Loc: US

I used a D300 for years, great camera. I now own both of the cameras that you are considering. The simple answer is that if you liked the D300 you will be very happy with the D500. It has fast accurate focus and is compatible with the radio frequency flash. I use that to put a flash on the other side of a wall when shooting perched birds.

If you are looking to go FF, the Z6 should work out just fine if I understand your type of shooting. The main draw back is low light focusing. As mentioned above there is a low light focus setting which works well, but seems to slow thing. That may not be an issue for you. I have no complaints with the 24-70 F4.0 that I got with the camera. Using F mount lenses with the adapter is seamless. Adding VR to a couple of old tele lens, with the in camera VR, is a big plus for me.

If you are not in a hurry, Nikon is working on a firmware update that will add eye focus to the Z6 and make other improvements to focusing. That eye focus may be something for you, so it may be worth waiting to see how good it is. Early videos look promising.

It is hard to recommend one of these cameras over the other. Good luck with a tough decision.

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Hammer Loc: London UK

Hi,

Went to a Nikon demo day . I am owned by a D850 which is kind to me sometimes.

The Z series appeals to me for street and "museum" work because of the silent shooting . However , under LED or fluorescent lights banding seems to be an issue , this applies to all mirrorless cameras ( said Nikon)
Z also appeals because the new lens appear to be magnificent and give edge to edge sharpness and are being compared to Zeiss Otus lens. However , no teleconverters appear in the new range of lens and I use these with my 70-200 (2.8) and 300 (2.8) a lot.
The autofocus speed on the Z series seemed very good when I tried it, but not a match for to the D850 or D500. The other downer for me is that is you end up with both DSLR and Z , you can't use the Z lens on the DSLR, so it may mean carrying two cameras.

I honestly don't know which way to jump. If I dump the D850 , it would seem that the Z7 is ideal for landscapes and cropping out for wildlife. If I keep the D850, a Z6 would provide a supplement with really high end lens and (sometimes) silent photography but at a cost which I don't really want to incur.

I need a good shrink.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Under the conditions, you described I'd probably choose the Z6 because I have experienced the high ISO capability. But if you are a studio shooter, I cannot imagine shooting without lights. I know you can sometimes use windows and subtractive or additive reflectors but why limit lighting control? I would reconsider my camera choice if I were you. The D850 is a proven commodity.

CO

I tried the Z6 with my studio strobes. I used PocketWizard Plus X triggers. The only thing I had to do was turn off menu option d8: Apply settings to live view. It's a very dark viewfinder if d8 is on.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Silly silly silly question. In the hands of a qualified photographer, it makes NO difference. Silly, silly, silly.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Better is in the eye$$ of the beholder. If one was better, that's the only one people would buy.

Comparison sites -
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If you are into sports and wildlife you will do better with the D500.

aflundi Loc: Albuquerque, NM

I have both. Either way you'll have a *very* good camera.

Based on what you say you want to use it for, I'd go with the Z6. But, you may need to overhaul your lens collection if you go that route. If you choose the D500, which would also do very well for your intended uses, all your current lenses and accessaries (except battery grip) will just work.

So, if you don't mind spending a bit extra for FX things like lenses, go with the Z6. If you want to limit your expenses to just a body, go with the D500. Either way you'll have a sweet setup and you'll be a happy camper.