Compact Mirrorless vs Size, Weight, Image Quality of DLSR: I am selling my Nikon D500 that has two full frame zoom lenses to get a Zfc or Z50 with zoom lens. The D500 has served me...

jimpitt

I am selling my Nikon D500 that has two full frame zoom lenses to get a Zfc or Z50 with zoom lens. The D500 has served me well, and the quality of images has been terrific, but I want lighter and smaller for travel. For cruise ships and other travel it has become too much trouble to lug around at my advancing age. Landscape and dinner parites are my major uses. My question is ..... am I compromising quality ? Are there other compact mirrorless bodies that I should consider ? Comments welcome. Thanks.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

To get small / lighter, you need either (a) an even smaller sensor and / or (b) get rid of interchangeable lens bodies. Regarding image quality, the mirrorless cropped sensor bodies will deliver the same, if not better, simply from being having newer and continuing to advance processors and sensors.

JohnR Loc: The Gates of Hell

The Zfc or Z50 will be much lighter/smaller than the D500 but all 3 have 20MP sensors so IQ will be much the same assuming you use the same lenses.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

jimpitt wrote:

I am selling my Nikon D500 that has two full frame... (show quote)

How do you use your D500? Is it just a box with a hole on one side for the lens? If so, you will probably be fine. If you use and take advantage of the features of the professional operating system, you will likely find the change disappointing and maybe even frustrating, at least for a while. I tend to adjust my camera a lot while using it/ The D500 is my main camera, but I bought a converted D90 for IR. The consumer-level user interface is very frustrating for me, with the result that the D90 sits on the shelf, even though it is actually fine for IR. I'll probably eventually try to find a cast off Z 8 to convert instead.

You might as an alternative check into a DX lens or two instead of dumping your camera.

If you do decide to sell, please let me know. I am looking for nice D500s to purchase as gifts for educators who have seen and tried mine and would like to have one.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Ack...ack...ack... Oh, excuse me! You are SELLING a D500 for something else!!?? Something better!!!??? Good luck with that!!! I'm still not convinced that My D850 is better than my D500!! Mirrorless!!!??? Pftt!!??

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Pretending DSLRs are superior to the corresponding mirrorless models in August 2023 are just more ludicrous statements from the DSLRinosaur crowd. If only closed minds came with closed mouths, especially when all the knowledge and evidence is everywhere to find, to know, and to buy.

ricardo00

jimpitt wrote:

I am selling my Nikon D500 that has two full frame... (show quote)

What kind of photography do you do? What are the two full frame zoom lenses you use? You might also consider a "mega zoom" type camera with built in lens, like the Sony RX 100 (m7 or other depending on your budget and needs) or the Sony RX10 m IV or a micro 4/3 camera (ie. OM systems). There are lots of choices these days and most will work well for different photographs though some are better for others.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

CHG_CANON wrote:

Pretending DSLRs are superior to the corresponding mirrorless models in August 2023 are just more ludicrous statements from the DSLRinosaur crowd. If only closed minds came with closed mouths, especially when all the knowledge and evidence is everywhere to find, to know, and to buy.

I know you aren't talking to me, so I'll just leave your statement lying in the mud where it belongs! Just one question...what the hell do you know about a closed mouth??!!

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

CHG_CANON wrote:

Pretending DSLRs are superior to the corresponding mirrorless models in August 2023 are just more ludicrous statements from the DSLRinosaur crowd. If only closed minds came with closed mouths, especially when all the knowledge and evidence is everywhere to find, to know, and to buy.

I've shopped new mirrorless cameras. The key word is "corresponding." No way does the Z50 correspond to the D500. I don't care if they do both have 5s in their model numbers.

radiojohn

CHG_CANON wrote:

Pretending DSLRs are superior to the corresponding mirrorless models in August 2023 are just more ludicrous statements from the DSLRinosaur crowd. If only closed minds came with closed mouths, especially when all the knowledge and evidence is everywhere to find, to know, and to buy.

What is the saying? Opinions are like noses. Everyone has one.

However, many don't mimic certain politicians with cheap shots.

User ID

Retired CPO wrote:

Ack...ack...ack... Oh, excuse me! You are SELLING a D500 for something else!!?? Something better!!!??? Good luck with that!!! I'm still not convinced that My D850 is better than my D500!! Mirrorless!!!??? Pftt!!??

ROTFLMFAO

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Mirrorless cameras through and through are miles ahead of DSLRs these days. That goes even for the most affordable mirrorless cameras. It’s night and day, truly.

jimpitt

I expeced comments all over the map. Fact is, two retailers said that mirrorless is the only way to go; DLSR is dead and no more updates or models, including lenses. Any other ideas ? For the comment about the D500 being so much better, I opted for less weight. 15X less.

jcboy3

jimpitt wrote:

I am selling my Nikon D500 that has two full frame... (show quote)

If you got the D500 for wildlife, I suggest you keep it until you can replace it with a Z9, Z8, or maybe D850.

Otherwise, it's a good idea to get rid of it.

ricardo00

jimpitt wrote:

I expeced comments all over the map. Fact is, two retailers said that mirrorless is the only way to go; DLSR is dead and no more updates or models, including lenses. Any other ideas ? For the comment about the D500 being so much better, I opted for less weight. 15X less.

So it sounds like you already bought your new camera? If not, how do you get 15X less weight? If weight is your primary consideration, consider a mega zoom all in one camera. No worries about switching/carrying various lenses etc.
Again, you haven't said what type of pics you are trying to get and what lenses you are using? If for example, you are going to use the same lenses on your mirrorless Nikon, what is the total weight reduction?
All camera/lenses are a compromise between weight, cost and quality/attributes.