larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Unless you consider a camera as just a box with a sensor on one end and a hole for a lens on the other end, the Z7 is quite a ways short of being a mirrorless D850.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

While the Z7II doesn't do some things as well as the D850, in other ways it is superior. Additionally, it is smaller and lighter, and the Z lenses are smaller and lighter, and often sharper, then their F mount counterparts.

For those not already invested in the D850 or the Z7II the decision to purchase one over the other will depend on a number of factors which should be investigated in advance before making a purchase decision.

A mirrorless camera provides a different shooting experience than a DSLR. Most people seem to prefer that experience, but many long term DSLR users do not. However, eventually it will be moot. All DSLRs will go the way of the dodo at some point in the not too distant future and the number of lenses produced for that older technology will continue to diminish. In addition, as mirrorless technology continues to improve, any current advantages of the D850 will likely disappear.

therwol Loc: USA

D850 wins for tracking moving objects and also for full compatibility with Nikon's older AF screw drive lenses. Z7II wins for having IBIS and a viewfinder when taking video. Someone might prefer the EVF of the Z7II over the optical viewfinder on the D850 or vice versa. What's important to you?

I think that someone starting out should consider mirrorless first, but it isn't a slam dunk until the best features of the Z9 trickle down into lower priced (and smaller/lighter) cameras. Again, one of the purposes of posting this question was to make people aware of the sale going on right now where you can get a USA model D850 for $500 off the usual price. I think the sale ends on May 8.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I recognize the two different experiences. And I understand them. As an experienced photographer who knows how to make a camera work, I found that I could be making equivalent photographs with a Z7 after about 10-15 minutes of familiarization. But I found no pixie dust or anything else on or inside the camera that said I was going to be making superior images anytime soon. (There was still none after a couple of days.)

I also vigorously believe that people should make their own choices. I further believe that those who build their lives around raw files really have no reason to have much of a preference. Most of them are just looking for a way to stick a lens in front of a sensor and have some way to control exposure...they are generally (although not always) disinterested in knowing or learning the craft and technique of using a camera.

I do not believe that all DSLRs will go the way of the dodo in the near future. If they do, I expect that the mirrorless cameras will go right alongside them. It is clear that the intent of the mirrorless cameras was to attract a new, younger market. That's not happening. The young folks that show up to learn photography here at school either use the school's cameras, which are all DSLRs (can't get an order for the new mirrorless and lenses through purchasing, because of the higher prices), or else are their parents' retired entry-level DSLRs, generally from two or three generations ago.

Right now, the forecast is that when we are all dead, the game will be over. The generation behind us (and ahead of the kids) is not buying the new offerings. That may change, but it will probably be too little, too late. They are not using cameras of any kind now, other than their phones.

therwol Loc: USA

That may be 99% true, but I was surprised in a recent drive down the California coast to see at least a a couple of dozen people using real cameras to take pictures of the scenery.

Photoladybon Loc: Long Island

I couldn't agree more!! I moved to Olympus but still maintain my 850 and will probably hold on to it until it dies. IMHO it's the best Nikon ever made.

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

No!

The Capt.

I have shot videos of high school basketball games and focusing is manual easy. Use a tripod to stabilize the camera so you can see the LCD. In the LCD it will show the area in focus. If you are focused to close turn the focus ring clockwise to move focus back or farther away.

Bill_de Loc: US

Yes!



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The Capt.

The D850 can shoot at 30 frames/sec.

therwol Loc: USA

In a controlled setting, you can compensate for some of the D850's video shortcomings. You can pre-focus or manually focus. You can use a tripod or harness/stabilizer to steady the camera. Let me tell you what happened to me recently when I was taking pictures of elephant seals on a beach with my D850. My wife insisted I take some video. I hadn't brought my camcorder. It was a disaster. In the bright sunlight, I couldn't see a damn thing except shadows on the screen on the back of the camera. I couldn't hold it steady enough out in front of me to make decent video. My wife wanted me to zoom in on some particular animals, and the zooming was very jerky from having to support 5 pounds of camera out in front of me and work the zoom ring on the lens at the same time. The camera had been set on continuous focus. The focus hunting every 10 seconds or so was really bothersome in the final video, which is next to worthless anyway. I won't go on vacation without taking my camcorder in the future.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

50 years ago (well, 47 years ago), I shot video for our HS basketball coaches using Sony reel to reel monochrome equipment. Shot from the top of the stands. Manual focus. Don't remember it ever being a problem. The coaches loved it. My brother-in-law was the producer and (usually) the director for his church's video team. They used three broadcast cameras. Focus was manual, using controls mounted on the handle of the tripod (industry standard method).

I agree that the lack of reasonably priced parfocal lenses and the poor provision for manual focus on modern autofocus lenses is not ideal for shooting video. That's why I say that if video is important, the best solution is to buy a video camera. Stop blaming it on the camera after cheaping out and buying incorrect equipment. Or at least stop whining.

Blues Dude

If people stopped blaming the camera for their poor pictures, they would have to admit their own inadequacies. And if they stopped whining, bitching, moaning, complaining, etc., social media would cease to exist... and then the Earth would stop spinning... because everything revolves around them. 😎

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Success is the photographer. Failure is the equipment.

Bill_de Loc: US

Could you elaborate?

.. poor provision for manual focus on modern autofocus lenses

I only have three lenses that require switching between auto and manual focusing. They are my oldest (20+ years) Nikkor "AF" lenses. Not really modern.



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