Bill_de Loc: US

My cameras with dual slots that use XQD have two cards installed have two cards in them. The second card is either SD or CF. The XQD gets the NEF files with the other getting JPGs. I already had the SD and CF cards when I got the newer cameras. Some say that writing to two cards slows down the process. This makes sense. However, I am even slower and have yet to fill the buffer on the newer cameras.

The single slot on the Z6 and Z50 did not cause me any hesitation when buying them.

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mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Actually, the criticisms of the D7500 are only partially about the second card slot. In many poster's minds the D7500 was supposed to be a replacement for the D7200. Many people were disappointed to find that there were a number of ways in which the D7500 was dumbed down compared to the D7200. I don't recall all the arguments at this point, however the D7500's single card slot was only one of several features criticized on this and other forums.

Another criticism was that the D7500 was not designed to be used with a battery grip unlike the D7200. Also of great concern was that the D7500 only had a 20mp sensor versus the D7200's 24 MP sensor. There were also a few other differences in the newer model that.bothered many people. Perhaps someone else remembers the specifics.

However, I always looked at things differently with regard to the D7500. I never really saw it as a direct replacement for the D7200. Instead, I thought of it smaller and lower spec'd version of the D500.

alawry Loc: Timaru New Zealand

Does that mean you wouldn't buy a camera without a second card slot?

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

And there are many "camera gear experts" who like the D7500. Today it is a given that even if you can walk on water someone will dislike you for it.
Personally I could care less what someone has to say about a particular brand of camera. I shoot them all in manual and raw anyway so what's the big deal.
It's not the camera, never has been, it has always been and will always be the photographer that makes the difference.
One slot, two slots, it is still the camera that puts the image onto the card. Many of my camera's have dual slots, I have never, as in never, used more than one at a time.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Most cameras have just one slot. I prefer bodies with two slots for identical cards, but one slot is better than film.

NikonRocks Loc: Sydney

There are other "features" that come with cameras that most people never use but they're there all the same. When you buy a camera you buy it with a feature set you need as a minimum. Well and good if there are other "features" you may not need at the time. However, on exploring them you might find a use for some of them that were not initially important to you. Having now found how good these "features" are, you now make sure they are part of the feature set when upgrading in the future. All of this depends on what type of photographer you are and the photography you are interested in pursuing.
It so happens I like dual slots. I use one for photos in the RAW and the other for the small sized JPGs that I have set up in advance via the menu system. Why? Because I can take my time processing the RAW ones to create the final desired result when I get back home and the small JPGs are convenient to attach to emails in the field without any further processing giving that immediacy for feedback from those who will be seeing the results from the RAW files later on.
No doubt there are other uses to which photographers need in a dual slot body. No one is forcing you to use the second slot if your camera came with that "feature".

bikerguy

I use the Olympus OMD EM1 M II, it has two slots and I always use both. I have the same image saved to both. Twice while traveling with a camera with a single slot, I have had an SD card fail. In both situations I lost only a minimal amount of data because I back up the cards at least once per day. I did not buy the Oly because of the two slots but I always use both of them. I do not see any downside. One card can fail at any time, two failing at the same time not very likely at all.

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

My current camera only has one slot where my previous had two slots. The only advantage I saw to the two slots was when I was taking pictures at a curling bonspiel and was alternating between on ice and warm room pictures. All of my on ice pictures were on the CF slot while my warm room pictures were on the SD slot. Made life easier when I processed the pictures each night. However, when I used only a one slot camera , I tried to remember to swap out cards. Just a little harder to remember which was which!
Bud

AGO

I have a D7100 with two slots. I use the second slot for backup and on three occasions I'm glad I had it. Many people here have indicated that they've never had a card failure. I did, but had the backup. The second time that insurance paid off is that something happened when I was uploading the pictures to my computer. For some reason, not all of the pictures transferred to my hard drive, but thinking they were all there, I reformatted the card. Fortunately, I had the second card. The third instance was my own fault. I accidently reformatted the card before uploading it. Again, that second card saved the day.

Many photographers carry a portable hard drive to back up their pictures in the field after a day's shooting. For me, the second card is a more convenient way to do this. I haven't upgraded to the D7500 because it doesn't have that second slot. After having the second slot, I don't think I would ever consider a camera that doesn't have one.

avflinsch Loc: Hamilton, New Jersey

The only time I ever 'needed' the second sd slot was when my sister asked all of the relatives with decent cameras to take as many photos as possible for my niece's quinceañera. I just set my camera (D7200) to write raw to one and jpeg to the other, and at the end of the night I just handed her the jpeg card. Everyone else sent her the photos the next day.

avflinsch Loc: Hamilton, New Jersey

My main reasons for getting a leftover D7200 over the D7500 were the lack of a battery grip and and the removal of the ai index lever on the D7500 (I have a bunch of older manual lenses). The second sd card was just a bonus.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I had my d7000 for years and had a card in the second slot the whole time. Never once did I need it.

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

Marketing, "Best thing since sliced bread", dont leave home without it......Think of all the possibilities..
The list is endless.....I ahve yet to see an argument that justifies the "need"....rather I look at a second slot as like buying a new car...it has an option the previous model didnt have & slick marketing throws all these crazy possibilities that make you think you really need it & the vendors thank you for your money.....just like video on a camera

Festus Loc: North Dakota

Personally, I don't believe it has anything to do with the number of card slots. Some people just have to find something negative with anything that is new.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

I agree