ELNikkor

Sorry, but Z lenses for Z bodies, or you're sacrificing part of the reason you go to Z in the first place. Keep the D850/2 F lenses for old time's sake.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

👍👍

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

I have a Z8 and a Z9. The Z8 is about the same size as my old D500 and puts it to shame. After 3.1 update, it locks focus better, blazes along at 20 fps and is full frame. I can attach my 500mm PF and shoot in DX mode if I want. At night, the starlight setting is so easy to use, it makes astrophotography simple. I never owned an 850, but would imagine this is the camera to replace either one. Certainly it easily bests the D500.

b top gun

I am on the fence right now, for Fathers Day I visited a local camera store and got to see, feel and play with a Z8 for the first time. I would have two reasons to get a Z8...IBIS and the Z8's video capability which is superior to the video capability of my D850. I like the D850 for stills photography, have liked it since I got mine shortly after it was introduced. At the camera store I got to chat with a guy who has a Z8 and his input was interesting and enlightening. Right now it is the $3995 out of pocket investment that is holding me back. As for lenses I would get the FTZ adapter initially and use my F mount lenses until I could afford at least the Z mount 24-70 f/2.8. Never owned a D500, know a couple of guys who do, never been convinced I had to have one.

neillaubenthal

I've seen this question a lot…and frankly you'll end up getting rid of all your non Z bodies and eventually lenses as well. You'll get spoiled by the EVF, faster frame rates, and much better AF due to better processors/newer algorithms, etc…and you'll be spoiled by the better and more featured Z mount lenses due to newer design software on faster computers and more buttons on the lenses…and going back to the DSLR will seem archaic after awhile. However…since you'll be keeping one of those older bodies and probably some lenses for at least awhile…for backup if nothing else…there are pros and cons for both. The D850 has more capabilities since it's both FF and has essentially a D500 inside of it…and the D500 is lighter. The D850 body weighs 35 ounces, the D500 29, and the Z8 32…so I personally would keep the D850 as it's more capable and just recognize that it will quickly become the "backup, the Z8 broke" body rather than the "second body with another lens on it for the hike" body because the Z bodies just work differently (and also better but that's not the issue here) than the D bodies do and switching back and forth is confusing. In fact…switching from the Z9 to the Z7II is also confusing because the Z9 and Z8 work the same but not the same as the earlier Z bodies and switching back to the Z7II for anything fast or needing the better AF feels a lot like going back to a DSLR.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

The big problem with asking a question like this on a public forum is that most folks, even many D500 owners, have absolutely no clue about what a D500 really is. Nikon unfortunately mismarketed the D500 as a "sports and wildlife" camera, which is terribly wrong. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), prevailing belief of that mischaracterization is seriously depressing the value of those cameras on the used market. A major reason to keep a D500 is that it is not going to bring its value on the market, at least right now.

kenArchi Loc: Seal Beach, CA

Even my em10 olympus spoiled me.
I haven seen my other cameras since.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If you want to keep one, keep the D850. Of course, selling both the D850 and the D500 would help defray the cost of the Z8.

I'm struggling with that decision now. Should I keep my D750 or sell it? I have to make the same decision about my Z6 II and Z fc, although I think the fc is a keeper - based on its looks alone.

Hal Masover Loc: Iowa and Florida

D500 was a great camera. Hard to understand why Nikon discontinued it. D850 is still the greatest DSLR anyone ever made, and probably ever will. I personally shoot with a D600 and a D750. Same sensor, same memory cards, same battery. Really, the two models are so similar that I have to look at them to see which one I have in my hands. Why haven't I bought a Z camera? The Z8 is a compelling camera with much improved AF. I'd like that. But despite the massive increase in megapixels, image quality isn't much different. So to go to a Z8 I'm spending $4,000 plus, and that assumes I'm happy using my F lenses with the FTZ converter. Add the converter to the Z8 and the rig is going to be heavier than my D750. If I can't see a difference in image quality, do I really want to spend $4K and move to a heavier rig to get better AF? Granted, it's a LOT better AF, but still, that's a LOT of money. After a decade using the D750 I know it like it's an extension of my hand. No way can I see making a change unless the old D finally moves on to camera heaven.

Think about this. In two years Nikon will release another new camera. Maybe a Z8II, and your Z8 will already be losing value and taking a step toward obsolescence. So I'm still sitting here wondering why would you want to move on from one of the best wildlife cameras anyone ever made, the D500, and the absolutely best DSLR anyone ever made, unless you have to?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Dump the D850.
It is replaced by the infinitly superior Z8.
Keep the D500 for a small light camera and the extra reach of APSC that the FF Z8 lacks.

gwilliams6

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Thank you for sharing your answer with me. Keep in mind that I do not shoot sports and wildlife. At all. Unless I happen to see an interesting animal or bird. I consider both DSLR models to be extremely competent do-it-all cameras.

Some of the respondents to your post give away that they are not familiar with both cameras when they pronounce the D500 as "smaller." Except for thickness, it is essentially the same size as the D850. May need to consider their suggestions in that light.

From your response, I have a couple of additional comments. The first is to encourage you not to get in a hurry to sell either camera. There is an oversupply of both models right now, and selling might be more attractive in a few months. (Some stores in my area aren't even buying any mirror box cameras right now.) You might have a better idea which one you'd let go after a few months of shooting. The second thought is just not to sell the D500 at all. The world doesn't understand it and continually undervalues it, so I suggest just letting them do without it.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Thickness is smaller thus smaller
They are not do it all cameras. Strictly for stills as live view and video are pretty worthless. Especially compared to other true all round DSLRs and most all mirrorless.

Boris77

If you can casually afford a Z 8 and the corresponding Z lenses, you can afford to keep two of the best cameras Nikon made. If you are not planning a total switch to Mirrorless, or at least getting a few Z lens soon after the camera, you are throwing away your money.
Boris

russraman Loc: New York City

Keep the D850... then you'll have one heavy camera and one light weight camera to use for different situations.