larryepage Loc: North Texas area

People on this forum really enjoy talking about the D500 as a relic. But I think you would be surprised and pleased with what you could do with your 18-200mm zoom on that camera. I don't have a 10-20mm zoom (I use FX for wide angle), but have a friend who gets beautiful results with one on his D500, including night sky images.

The user interface will be different from your D7100, but once you catch on to the difference, it will make your shooting process faster and easier. It offers Live View, a tilting rear screen, and video up to 2k x 30 fps. 1080p goes up to 60fps. Suggest that you consider pixel count as one of many parameters when considering whatever camera you decide to purchase.

Build quality is excellent, controls all work smoothly, and while it does have a mirror and shutter, it sounds very pleasant in operation. Just a comment...the D500 and D850 are very complex devices. I'd have a pretty hard time deciding to buy either one used if I didn't personally know the previous owner and how they treated it. And if you do decide to buy used, make sure that you get the manual and all the accessories.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

D500 would be a huge improvement. Anything full frame will involve rejiggering lenses. Use the rest of your budget on travel and opportunities.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Thanks for your comments... The D7100 is working fine, but I'd like a larger buffer and a tilt screen. Better IQ with low light would be great, too. My max ISO is kinda low, I think I have it set at max 1600. It would be great to go higher.

And, sure, I can wait a while to see what Nikon does with their Z-line.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Change 'camera' to something else that is updated regularly. Let's pick cars. If you drove down to the new car lot, and I came out to meet you and steered you to the hottest and newest car from 2017 and asked you to pay the full-price with your 2022 dollars, what would you think? Buy old cameras in a slightly used condition from the used car lot and save yourself some money.

But, if you want to buy into a platform that will last another 8+ years, well then, buy something 'new' new, a camera with the larger / largest sensor, with the newest processor, with the newest AF, with the latest lens mount that everyone is talking about down at the country club. Meanwhile, continue leveraging your current camera until you see that model that is just right for you.

BlackRipleyDog

If you stay DX (D500), then you can keep using your currents lens.
If you go FX DSLR (D850), then you will take a large leap in build quality in a body which could be argued is mil-spec in design. Prices are very favorable as has been pointed out already, with people migrating over to mirrorless (Z) are unloading their D850 and taking significant losses. You also have about 11 million pieces of F-glass out in the world for bargain prices as the move to the Z system accelerates. So building out a stable of AF-S glass for your D850 is manageable.
If you go Z, then you are entering into a whole new arena. But that comes at a heavy cost in both investment and wait-time as supply chain issues are restricting availability of both bodies and dedicated glass. The secondary-market is short of used samples as people are hanging onto their earlier bodies until supply again matches demand. Don't hold your breath scoring any killer deals on used Z-glass. Mirrorless is the shiny new thing that has everyone mesmerized.
If I was 20 years younger, I too would be charting a course for it but right now I get the most bang for my already spent buck with my F-system. And since video holds no interest for me, the D850 and a D700 are just right.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Thanks for your words of wisdom! That is my exact dilemma… stay with the “old”, or go with the ‘new’.

Buying used is a good option, depending on condition, of course. My Sigma 150-600C was used when I bought it. It was like new and about half the price!

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Thanks… a used D850 is certainly of interest to me. Hadn’t thought about the used glass! Thanks for noting that. I guess I’ll keep looking…

therwol Loc: USA

For me, buying a D850 at this point in my life was a "last camera" decision, based on the fact that I have a number of older lenses that need the motor in the body that would cost a fortune to replace. I don't think that Nikon will take the DSLR to the next level as they push mirrorless cameras. If you are young and looking to a long future with a "system", only mirrorless makes sense. Nikon has some business to take care of with their mirrorless cameras and will. As one suggested, you might want to wait to see what the next mirrorless offerings will be. You might also want to follow what Canon and Sony are doing before jumping in.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

My equipment is about 50/50 bought used and bought new, including all my cameras being used and about half my lenses. Pro-grade equipment is built to last. I have lenses approaching 40-years old and some of my bought-new equipment are teenagers. In today's world, the only reason to pay a new-price premium is for a brand-new release unavailable in the used market.

For waiting for IBIS, imagine if your 50mm was IS supported as well as your 10-20, although that lens might become manual focus via the FTZ adapter. If that day arrives, look at another AF-capable zoom that picks up the IS support from the camera.

therwol Loc: USA

The advantage of IBIS can't be overstated. Some of the newer mirrorless cameras offer it. Some don't. The Pentax K3 III DSLR has is, which makes you wonder why it wasn't incorporated into other DSLRs.

Nikon's approach to image stabilization with DSLRs was to put it in some of their lenses. That's fine until you use a lens that doesn't offer it. The zoom lenses I own with VR are fine when it's appropriate to use them. If I want a sharper image with a prime, I don't get the VR, and there is a gray area where sharpness and blur have to be balanced against one another. (Sure, use a tripod. Not always possible.)

therwol Loc: USA

I go the other way. I buy my cameras new with the manufacturer's warranty. I always buy the current model that suits my needs. My lenses fall into two categories. I have some that have passed down through the years, but I also have some current lenses that I bought used or refurbished. I'll take a chance on a lens before I take a chance on a camera. No rational reason. That's just how I think. And by the way, if you're looking for used vintage lenses, look on eBay for those coming from Japanese sellers. I've bought three lenses from Japan that looked like no one had ever handled them and for less than the domestic resellers charge for the same lenses. SOME older lenses do hold their own against current lenses with a few possible compromises. In my experience, they may need to be stopped down a bit to get the most out of them, but once they sharpen up, they can be competitive.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

My next camera will likely be my last also… and, that does enter into the equation.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Good points!

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Thanks for noting this about IBIS. Wasn’t on my radar, but is now.