nervous2 Loc: Provo, Utah

I occasionally smile at posts from new members whose first question is “what camera should I purchase.” I’m not quite in the same boat but now I too have the question, “what camera should I purchase.” I have the greatest respect for the skill and knowledge of fellow hedgehoggers and I am hoping that once again they can help me avoid a decision that I later regret. I have owned and enjoyed the Nikon D70s, D7000 and more recently two D7100s. I have more lenses than you can shake a stick at—mostly DX but a few FX as well. So, as I am about to upgrade once again, I am torn between the D500 and the D850. I will most likely never use all the capability of either of those cameras, but I will enjoy owning and shooting with either—so, which one? Because of the plethora of DX lenses that I have acquired, I had been leaning towards the D500, although I have often thought it would be interesting to move towards full-frame. Now, however, I read on Ken Rockwell’s site that the D850 “works with DX lenses and automatically crops to the central part of its sensor (and shows a smaller frame in the finder) to give 19MP DX shots." Thus, I would have time to transition to a collection of FX glass and still be able to use my current collection of DX lenses in the meanwhile. (And I will keep one of the D7100s as a backup.) If I were to purchase the D500, I would probably buy the Nikkor 16-80 f/2.8-4 E lens to go with it. For the D850 I was going to pair it with the Nikkor 24-120 f/4 lens although in reading the Rockwell analysis, he seems to prefer the Nikkor 28-300 f/3.5-5.6 G given that a single lens covers so much more territory. Any thoughts on which of these would be appreciated as well. A final consideration is that fortunately, I am able to afford either of the two cameras. Having said that, no one likes to make a mistake where a fairly large expenditure is being made. Please be patient in your responses. I have done quite a bit of reading but, again, I have great respect for the community knowledge of my friends. Thank you for your help.

Vietnam Vet

Go full frame

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

A 19MP image is roughly the same, but still smaller, than the 21MP of the D500. Both these DX options are a step down in resolution from your 24MP D7100. Honestly, you appear to have a GAS problem. We all have GAS problems, so that is meant as an observation, not the casting of a stone.

The D850 is Nikon's top FX camera. You should focus on only the best lenses for this body. Get rid of everything else and just focus on this platform, skipping the super zooms. Unless you have a paying job, you don't need a "back-up" camera. That's just a rationalization for not addressing the root GAS issues.

Given the year-end is approaching, have you looked at your images and identified any equipment that went unused this entire calendar year? These are candidates to jettison. The D70 and D7000 won't fetch much, but I'd think these are just gathering dust. There's probably some lenses in the same situation. The D500 is Nikon's top crop body, but you're paying for a professional-grade frames-per-second speed. Are you shooting sports and / or birds in flight and have a quality 400-600mm lens? Do you need to pay a premium for these capabilities and smaller resolution sensor if they are not part of your usage?

Summary: look at what you have and decide what you're looking to accomplish. Is photography the goal or the equipment? Then, do whatever you want.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I have both of these cameras and find them very similar to each other. Sensor density is very close to the same. Menu structure is almost identical. Picture "character" is almost identical. The D850 is a little newer and has a couple of additional functions, as well as slightly better high ISO / low light capability owing to its slightly newer sensor technology.

In addition to compatibility with DX format, the D850 also offers a 24x24mm square format which produces images of approximately 30MP. Or you can shoot in full frame format and crop later. You just have to remember what image circle each lens is projecting onto the sensor.

Both of these cameras have the professional user interface, which allows direct access to almost every critical setting and is miles ahead of the interface on consumer level cameras.

I looked at the 16-80mm lens, but found it disappointing. It is variable aperture, and turns out to be f4 over almost all of its range. My primary lens for the D500 is the 17-55mm f2.8. While the D500 will make any lens better, it puts almost exactly the same demands on a lens as the D850, except for being compatible with a smaller image circle. It turns out that the 24-120 zoom is pretty handy on the D500. It is the equivalent of a 35-180mm lens on a full frame camera, is a lot more compact that some other choices, is a constant f4, and nice ones can be found used for a little over $400.

You're going to get a lot of advice based on how you plan to use the camera. My counsel is to ignore it. Both of these cameras are excellent all around models and can do whatever you ask of them. I don't care that mine aren't mirrorless, or that they are a couple of years old. The truth is that there is essentially nothing that either of them can't do for you.

If you have any specific questions, please ask. I'll not say to buy one or tthe other. Both are outstanding choices.

nervous2 Loc: Provo, Utah

Thanks for such a speedy and insightful response. GAS? I thought everybody suffered from that and I admit to doing the same. No sports or BIF and don't really need high burst rate. Mostly landscape (would like the best shots possible) and portrait. If I go the D850 I am assuming that you would not opt for the 28-300 given it is a bit of a super-zoom. I am thinking maybe the 24-120 as a walk-around although the 24-70 f/2.8 is intriguing but expensive. BTW my son lives in your neighborhood (Downers Grove) and works at Argonne. Again, thanks for your thoughts.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

And the D5? Nikon calls it their flagship.

But personally, I’d get the D850 over that for almost half the price.
And as much as I love the D500, I’d still choose the 850.

You aren’t stuck with 45mp raw files all the time, this camera lets you choose resolution.
45, 25 or 11mp, depending on what your goal is.

No 28-300. I’ve used it a few times..
Very convenient range lens, but it’s noticably less sharp than the 70-200.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I worked with the IL Tollway for a few years in DG. The 24-120 and 24-70 overlap in a way that you might ask if these are the two you need. Superzooms have a purpose, maximum image quality not being one of them. Have you looked at your computer equipment and the ability to open and efficiently edit 45MP files along with the disk storage. Major changes like this can have ripple effects that hopefully a discussion will help identify, before they become unexpected expenses. Glad to help with ideas.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

As you can afford either then I'm guessing you can afford a few FX lenses also. A lot of people diss the Nikkor 28-300. Personally, I like it. It's not my best Nikkor lens but it is quite versatile, and although it's not a good as my Canon 28-300L lens, I use it on my D7200 and my D500 quite often. I got the 16-80 when I bought my D500 and I use it a lot for indoor ambient light photography.
I don't own a D850, really have no need for one as I already own several Canon Full Frame DSLR'S.
If you feel you truly need the 10FPS the D500 claims and are OK with crop frame, then the D500 is for you. If you are OK with the 9FPS the D850 claims then consider the newer and more expensive full frame. But, keep in mind the image files from the D850 will be more than twice the size of those from the D500 and will take up much more storage space and will take more resources to edit.
As you said, cost is not an issue so my recommendation to you is to buy the D850, it is the better camera of the two, and do get that 28-300 lens, you will enjoy it. Also, select the 2 or 3 DX lenses you use the most and keep them for your D7100 and sell the rest and the second D7100 and get a Nikkor 200-500 and, if you don't already have one, either a 1.4X, 1.7X or 2.0X extender or all three, either Nikon or Kenko.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Get a D850, but ignore KR's suggestion on the 28-300. It's not a great lens and will limit your D850's capacity for capturing crazy amounts of detail. Nikon doesn't even list it on its recommended lenses for any of the D8XX series cameras, which should tell you all you need to know. It would be like purchasing a Ferrari and putting skinny tires on it.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

One thing to keep in mind is that very high megapixel cameras have a way of magnifying any faults in a lens. If you want to buy the D850, you’ll also want to buy the very best lens you can afford. You could be disappointed in the results with the 28-300. Something like the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR3 would be an expensive, but very good choice. Or the 24-70. The full frame, high resolution, high MP sensor will allow you to do a lot of “zooming in” by cropping without losing image quality. My grandson has both of these lenses on his D810, and it’s amazing what he can do with cropping. Just a thought.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

You claim you have more lenses that you can shake a stick at. That, you have more DX lenses than FX lenses. You are at an advantage than most. Because you can use either on a D500. Since FX lenses are more expensive than DX lenses, you could sell those DX lenses, and purchase more FX lenses. Depending, how much they are worth, or how much you will get from them. The D500 is Nikon's best DX camera today at 20.9 megapixels. The D850 is Nikon's most popular FX camera now, at over twice the megapixels at 45.7. That's a lot of megapixels, in today's DSLR or full frame mirrorless standards. Good luck.

BebuLamar

He is the second tier man. He would have an EOS-3 (never the EOS-1). He would have all the 5D never the 1D. And for Nikon the D8xx series not the Dx series.

Hammer Loc: London UK

I am going to throw a spanner in the works . I have a D850, love it but dont use all the available facilities .

One thing you need to be aware of is that diffraction sets in at about F5.6 to F8 on the D850. At smaller apertures you will get diffraction but have to remember that there is a lot more information there in the first place .
If you are not going to be doing wildlife or sports , consider the Z6. Smaller, lighter and great edge to edge sharp lens . Got one and now wish I had bought the Z7 but....... .For sports and wildlife the lens are just not there and stick to the D500.
Dont believe some of the rubbish that you've read about the Z system , the reality is different and you can still use your current lens . Once you've got used to the z system you will find that it is very easy to use , you will access all your controls via the EVF menu,

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

I have the D500, and after 6 months i am very comfortable with using it (these things take time). I primarily shoot birds, and the 10 fps was the big feature in the decision. However, I am finding that 1) in a many cases 10 fps gives me just too many images to deal with, and 2) in many cases i really need more pixels for cropping. The D850 seems like it might have been a better choice, although i am still working on maximizing my current gear and skills.

uhaas2009

I have the 7000 and the 810. I don’t know much about the 500. But the focusing system on the 810 Beats everything. When I crop a pics it’s a drastic change what is left. I would go with the 850...... I love my 810