Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I have a D7100 and was looking to upgrade to a full frame camera and with some wise advise from the HOG, decided I would be better off to get the D500 and share lens. However, when Eye AF was announced in the Z6 I started rethinking it. Most of my photography is associated with people in meetings, presentations etc. and the Eye AF would be nice to have. In a post this week someone mentioned that it is expected that the function would be made available on the D850 in the future and that made me wonder if there was any chance it would be added to the D500. I called Nikon the they would only say there are no upgrades currently scheduled for the D500 at this point. Is there any reason to believe it could be added to the D500?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Interesting thought.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I would go with what Nikon says.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

The D500 is getting quite old as digital goes. Likely the old sensor etc. Could not be upgraded through programming.
Most manufacturers pretty well give up on nearly 4 year old technology.
The camera is loved by those who own it and serves well inspite of its age.
If looking for the latest and the future the Z6 is the way to go. New developments and technology priorities will be going to the S mount. It appears that the Z6 has what you want and need and is on the leading edge of Nikon developments.
It is highly praised.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

Thanks for the response and I am starting to think the Z6 may be a better choice long range.

CO

I rented the Z6 for two weeks not long ago and did side by side testing with my D500. I can say that the AF in the D500 is superior to the AF in the Z6. The Z6 would often hunt to achieve focus in even slightly dim light. I activated the low light AF option but that didn't seem to help. It slows down the AF a little. My D500 would nail the focus immediately on the same subject in the same light. The D500 is better at continuous autofocus also. What holds me back from purchasing a Z6 is that I don't have confidence in its autofocus. I'm very confident that the AF in my D500 will get the job done. The D5, D500, and D850 are the first Nikons to have a processor dedicated to just the autofocus.

I don't know about the Eye AF feature though. That's something to evaluate.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

Thanks and your response highlights my reason to be hopeful that the D500 could or would be upgraded with the Eye AF function. I am not totally sold on the Z6 but that feature would appear to be a great plus for my basic use. I would still have the D7100 for use as well, I don't plan to let it go.

Bill_de Loc: US

For fast action my D500 does surpass the Z6. However the firmware upgrade they did which added the Eye AF to the Z6 also improved focus response in general. So, like everything else, the choice may depend on your intended use.

If you can beg, borrow, steal, or rent one of each and try them it might be worth the effort.

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Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

Yes, I agree. I googled sources yesterday and could not find a store within 150 miles with the cameras. I will be doing a couple of trips in August, that may be possible then. Thanks,

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I bought a D500 not too long ago to use alongside my D810 and D850, and for those times that extreme resolution is not necessary. I can tell you that (except for the resolution difference) you cannot tell which camera took which photograph if the cameras are set up the same. Most important routine functions available on the D850 are available on the D500...it's pretty clear that the D500 was the 'prototype' for the D850, which does, of course, have a few new and added functions. And it's also not clear that the decision not to upgrade a most capable camera model at this time is much of a big deal. What specifically would you ask to be improved or changed? (I know...eye focus.)

My suggestion is also not to allow the fact that the D500 is about three years old to affect your choice too much. Choose based on merit and functionality instead. As a matter of full disclosure, I do not take the kind of photographs of people where automatic eye focus would make a difference, so I can't speak to that. But my question would be around how effective eye focus will be on the Z6 if the overall focus system has shortcomings and whether all of the problems can be effectively addressed and corrected.

These are just my personal observations, based on my own personal experience. But in this forum's culture of promoting manual shooting (which I do not subscribe to, by the way), it's not clear why we must at the same time push for ever more capable cameras, especially given the current state of the technology.

Best wishes as you make your choice.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

Thanks, so much to consider. I was ready to order the D500 when Eye AF was announced. I really believe it would be worth it to me if it works as they claim. I am going to get to where I can see both and make the decision.

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

Nikon recently added a firmware eye focus system to the Z's ONLY.
I believe the next generation of D500, D850, and D5 will all have eye focus capabilities. I believe they are currently experimenting with the Z's to see how it goes. They must keep pace with Sony. Right now, the Sony system is in graduate school and everyone else is in elementary school when it comes to eye focus systems.
So, to answer your question, in a year or so the D560, D860, and D5s or D6 will have it. Stay tuned.

wetreed

I just got the D500 and love it. You will never regret getting bthe 500. I think you might regret getting a first generation mirror less.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

If you have the ability to go ahead and buy get the mirrorless from B&H. Try it out and if you’re not satisfied you have 30 days to return or exchange it for the D500.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I think your last 2 words are becoming my thoughts "stay tuned" I don't really need a new camera at this point so I think holding off a little may be best. Normally I don't do that because there will always be something new coming but I do like Nikon and I do want the Eye AF option. Thanks,