cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Sure, they are finicky in the wrong hands when the operator knows not how to use them. Many pros on here, me included, use our D85os every day without issue. Best of luck.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I don’t consider using good technique as “finicky”. Go with the Z7 instead and you’ll get IBIS which will help with any motion blur.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The grass is always greener when captured with a mirrorless camera.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

I don't have any problems getting sharp images with my Z7 which is a 45 MP sensor. <shrug> Is it an age thing? I'm old too!

Nantahalan Loc: Savannah originally; western NC now

Like a lot of things, it all depends.

When I feel a GAS symptom coming on, I remind myself, “The image is the object.” With the exception of a waterproof Olympus, that’s kept me from buying cameras smaller and lighter than my Nikon D7100, D500, and D850. The latter two, I bought for bird and new granddaughter photography, respectively in the past 18 months. Obviously, I rationalized well for a newborn to lead to a D850!

On reflection, I have no advice, only my own experience. Enjoy whatever you do!

neillaubenthal

I would think a long time before buying another DSLR over a mirrorless…the latter has a lot of advantages but also a few disadvantages that every new model narrows the gap on…I don't think we'll see many…maybe none…new DSLR models introduced as vendors are concentrating R&D dollars on newer technologies and not the older ones. I have a Z7II on order to supplement my D7500 but will not be getting rid of the latter as since it's a crop sensor it gets more pixels on target for BIF and wildlife that isn't close with the same lens as opposed to putting it on a full frame body. Bought my bride a Z50 kit for Xmas last and have been mightily impressed with both the size and weight as well as the image output…she got several very nice BIF shots on a recent outing that she could never have gotten with her old D7100…primarily due to the improvements in AF technology and software over the years. I will probably get another Z50 for myself for travel when photography isn't the top priority since size/weight make it a much easier to carry around.

baron_silverton Loc: Los Angeles, CA

This completely depends on your use case and what lenses you have:

If your use case is fast action/sports/wildlife you should just stick with your D500 as crop sensor is likely better for these genres anyway and the DSLR's are better at tracking action than mirrorless (for now - this will change later this year).

If you shoot anything else: portrait, event, architecture, real estate, landscape, street then you are better off with a full frame camera. FF has better DR, less noise at a given ISO, wider field of view, and you can achieve shallower DOF at the same field of view/frame angle.

Then the question is D850 or Z7II - since you are not a sports/action/wildlife shooter in this scenario as we have already established that you should stick with your D500 if you are, you should definitely go with the Z7II. It has the same 45.7 MP sensor as the D850 but you gain the EVF which changes photography forever once you are used to it. If your lenses are newer - i.e. newer than screw drive versions - they will work flawlessly on the Z7II with the FTZ adaptor - yes they may acquire focus just a moment later than on a DSLR of you are racking them from closest focus to infinity and vice versa but this slight difference will not matter to what you are shooting. The upside is that the Z camera will breathe new life into your existing lenses adding 3 axis IBIS with F mount lenses (5 with Z mount) and focusing points across the screen - my 58mm 1.4G and 105mm 1.4E lenses have been reinvigorated by using them on the Z cameras for just this reason - they are literally more versatile and definitely more fun to shoot with.

With the exception of fast action, there is nothing that the Z7II cannot do that the D850 can but you also get IBIS, and EVF, Eye Detect AF (which works really well now after the latest FW update), and an actual functioning and competent video camera - the AF on the D850 for video is abysmal - it is excellent on the Z7II. Maybe you do not care about video but this is an added extra for the same price, so even if you only use it a few times it is worth it and once you do use it you will likely keep using it because you get good results - unlike the D850.

If you still want to use your DX lenses on the Z7II, they will work by way of the FTZ adaptor but will shoot in DX mode which means you will have approx 20MP if using a Z7II (this is exactly the same on a D850). But, with the Z7II you also get the IBIS, EVF, Eye Detect, video capabilities and so much more. The D500 is a 20MP camera so in this respect both the D850 and Z7II are just as good.

Nikon is moving to mirrorless - this is obvious. The next generations of mirrorless starting with the Z9 to come out later this year and all subsequent current models i.e. Z6III and Z7III and the upcoming Z8 will all be better than DSLR's in every way (including tracking). As such, if you are getting a new camera, get into the Z system and start spending your money on the Z lenses, which are second to none and generally blow away analogous F mount lenses.

If you just like to shoot fast action, then keep your D500 for now as it is still excellent at this, and wait until the next generation of mirrorless in the next 12-18 months and then upgrade.

Hope this helps.
-B

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

A home run is worth more than two doubles. So is a full frame camera.

flip1948 Loc: Hamden, CT

Nonsense...I know that you are well aware that the grass is always greener when shot with Fujichrome.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

7 rolls of fujichrome just got posted looking for a home where they'll be used: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-692260-1.html#12140706

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Blasphemy!

User ID

That leaves on the 7XX models. Not much smaller, and same lenses for all.

User ID

Good for you. High MP really is finicky but you must be doing it right. It’s plain enough reading the forum for years that doing it right is beyond the average Hogster. Congrats on you :-)

Finicky is not doom, it’s just finicky. It means when you get it right the results are above and beyond, but when you don’t it’s unforgiving. Scraping by is not an option.

“Getting it right” is not rocket science. But you do hafta know how to cook with actual groceries. Those who depend on photographic fast food will never get it.

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

Going with a Z7 or D850 will give you the best of both worlds.
In full frame mode you get 45 mp at the wider angle of the lens. In DX mode you get a 1.5x crop that is basically the same output size and field of view as the D500

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Jim, but all accounts the D850 is a very fine camera. But so is the D500. I moved to FF but still question my decision. Might be best to rent a D850 for a week or two and give it a work out. Rent a good FF lens to go with it. At the end of the rental you may have answered your own questions and can better decide how to spend your hard earned cash.