amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I am really trying, but I cannot think of WORSE choices for either of you!

First, you already have two different camera systems that are incompatible with each other... can't share lenses, batteries, chargers, flashes, etc. And now she wants a third system with the Sony? That makes NO SENSE. Pick one or the other... Nikon or Canon or Sony, and go with that (sell off the rest).

Second... D5 and 200mm f/2 lens for travel? Are you NUTS!?!? You say you want to slow down and take fewer but better pics... A D5 is a lower resolution (20MP) high speed, sports/action-oriented, full frame camera... Pretty much exactly the opposite of what you say you want to do! It's big and heavy, too... 3 lb. camera alone.. not to mention EXPENSIVE. By the time you add that large, VERY EXPENSIVE, 6.5 lb. lens and a battery to the camera, the combo will be close to 10 lb. and set you back around $12,000! I've traveled with similarly big heavy lenses and cameras (out of necessity, not choice) and can tell you it ain't no fun!

For the same reasons, forget the Sony A9 too. It's another a high-speed, modest resolution (24MP) sports/action-oriented camera. But the biggest problem is that you'll end up with a third system that's incompatible with either of the ones you already have. IF you want to completely switch to Sony, fine... But do it with an A7RIII or A7III (both full frame) and/or A6500/6300 (APS-C) models that actually make more sense for what you say you want to shoot.

First I suggest you narrow it down to a single brand and both of you commit to it. By doing this you will be able to spend less on cameras and need to haul around fewer lenses & accessories.

I'll give mostly Canon examples below primarily because that's what I use and am most familiar with... (Besides, her 7D Mark II can run circles around your four year older D7000.... the 7DII has higher durability rating, better weather sealing, higher resolution, more advanced AF system, faster frame rate, larger image buffer and more! https://www.imaging-resource.com/cameras/nikon/d7000/vs/canon/7d-mark-ii/).

There are a couple different ways you could go for travel and work: add a second APS-C format camera (like 7DII) OR complement it with a full frame camera (such as a Canon 6D Mark II or 5D Mark IV).

Full frame versus APS-C in part depends upon what lenses you already have. If you already have some good "crop only" lenses you want to keep, it may be better to stick with another APS-C camera. But it also depends upon the extent to which you need/want to take your travel or work-related photos. If you never need to make big prints, you might see little benefit from a full frame camera. Any full frame camera (be it Nikon, Canon or Sony) will also mean full frame lenses... which, like the cameras themselves, tend to be more expensive... and possibly replacing lenses you already have. For travel in particular, FF cameras and lenses also tend to be bigger and heavier. Especially for travel, you may be better served getting another APS-C camera (such as 7DII or Canon 80D) and APS-C design lenses to use with it and your current camera.

On the other hand, pairing up an APS-C and full frame camera OF THE SAME BRAND can allow a lot of shared lenses and other accessories.

Some possible Canon cameras:

1. Another 7D Mark II... you're already familiar with it.

2. Canon 80D.... 24MP APS-C, 7 fps, 45-point AF system (similar to 7DII's), articulated LCD with DPAF Live View, similar high ISO performance, but a newer model than 7DII. Same batteries/charger as 7DII. Single memory card slot: SD type. Can use all the same EF and EFS lenses as 7DII. About $1000.

3. Canon 6D Mark II.... 26MP full frame, 6 fps, same 45-poin AF system and similar design/controls as 80D, articulated LCD "Touch Screen" with DPAF Live View, add'l high ISO performance, newer model. Same batteries/chargers. Single SD memory card slot. Requires EF lenses (no EF-S). About $1600.

4. Canon 5D Mark IV... 30MP full frame, 7 fps, 61-point AF system and design/controls similar to 7DII. Fixed LCD Touch Screen with DPAF Live View, high ISO capable, newer model. Same batteries/chargers. Dual memory card slots: SD & Compact Flash (same as 7DII). EF lenses only (no EF-S). About $3000.

You don't mention what lenses you already have for use on her 7DII, or what each of you like to shoot (everything?), so....

Some possible APS-C lenses for travel:

1. Ultrawide for scenics and other things: EF-S 10-22mm USM: $600.... or smaller/lighter EF-S 10-18mm IS STM: $300.
2. Mid-range/"walk around" lens: EF-S 15-85mm IS USM: $900.... of if you need lower light capability, EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM: $900. EF-S 18-135mm IS USM is also a pretty darned good general purpose lens for about $600.
3. Moderate telephoto: EF-S 70-200mm f/4L IS USM: $1100... or EF 70-300mm IS USM "II": $600.
4. Or a more powerful but larger telephoto (approx. 3.5 lb., wildlife?): EF 100-400mm IS USM "II": $2000.
5. If needed, EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM Macro lens or Tamron SP 60mm f/2 Macro (1 stop faster, but slower AF)

Some possible full frame-capable lenses for travel:

1. EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM: $1000.
2. EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM: $900 (also can serve for near macro.... almost 3/4 life size possible).... or if you need low light a bigger/heavier EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM "II": $1600 (no IS and not nearly as close focusing).
3. EF 70-200mm f/4L or 70-300mm (same as above) or or bigger/heavier EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM "II": $1800.
4. EF 100-400mm "II" (same as above)
5. EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (if needed)

All the EF lenses can be shared between any of the above cameras. The EF-S lenses are only usable on 7DII or 80D APS-C models.

Without knowing more about what you need to shoot for work, can't recommend anything in detail. Maybe the above would work. Note that if you need telephoto, combining one with a crop sensor/APS-C camera "leverages" any focal length to be "more powerful". In other words, with the smaller sensor format (like both your current cameras use) you can either get "greater reach" out of the telephoto... or use smaller/lighter/less expensive lenses than would be necessary to give the same effective "reach" on full frame.

But you mention needing to be able to do low light shooting. You have choices to accomplish that, too. You might get f/2.8 zooms (a couple of them are mentioned above) which are bigger/heavier & more expensive... OR you can instead opt for slower/smaller/lighter & less expensive zooms for most things and complement them with one or two or three relatively fast, smaller/lighter, less expensive primes such as EF 28mm f/1.8, 35mm f/2 or f/1.4, 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8 or f/1.4, 100mm f/2 or 135mm f/2. All these primes are usable on both APS-C and full frame cameras. (By the way, a Canon 135mm f/2L USM lens on a 7D Mark II gives you similar telephoto reach AND f/2 low light capability in much smaller size, far less than half the weight, and about 1/5 the cost of a D5 and Nikkor 200mm f/2! Would you rather travel and work with a 10 lb. camera and lens... or approx. 3.5 lb. combo?)

You can probably put together similar Nikon system.... though I'd recommend upgrading from D7000 to D7200 (16MP > 24MP and more). If you still want full frame, Nikon models you might consider are D750 (24MP) and D810 (36MP).

Sony would probably also be possible, though they don't have nearly as extensive lens and accessory selection as Nikon and Canon.

Most (all?) Sony are "mirrorless" now.... And they offer both APS-C and full frame models. "Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras" or "MILC" do not have the mirror and pentaprism like DSLRs use. Instead most of them just use the image sensor itself and project what it "sees" in an electronic viewfinder. This has both pluses and minuses. One of the most noticeable pluses is that Sony APS-C "mirrorless" cameras and the lenses designed for them can be smaller/lighter than Canon/Nikon DSLRs. (Same is true with some excellent APS-C mirrorless cameras and lenses from Fuji. Oly and Panasonic are quite good too, but use a smaller micro Four/Thirds sensor. Canon makes an APS-C mirrorless line of cameras too, much improved lately... but still don't have many lenses for them. Nikon has discontinued their mirrorless line, though they are promising to launch a new line soon.)

Right now only Sony and Leica are currently offering full frame mirrorless cameras (Canon and Nikon both say they will have FF MILC soon, too). Leica are VERY expensive, so that pretty much leaves only Sony FF MILC.... right now. However, there isn't very much saving of size and weight with FF mirrorless, as compared to DSLRs.

ANYTHING will be a big upgrade from the camera phone you're using for work now! But a D5 and 200mm f/4 is pretty much the other extreme... and you could almost buy ALL the above for what you'd spend on just that camera and lens.

Hope this helps!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

LOL,

..

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...D5 will give him a *tool* that covers virtually all conditions. I can use pretty much any camera and get nice images in good light, but if things are moving fast and/or in low light I'll take my D5 any day. Best camera I own, and I own a few. For the OP's purposes, he would start with a tool that will probably outlast *him!*

appealnow Loc: Dallas, Texas

If you're traveling you will want a body and lenses that are lighter. You might not want the weight of a full frame body and lenses. I second the others who recommend that you and wife own cameras of the same manufacturer so you can share lenses.

Slade1

Good afternoon, Sir...

Being a Nikon owner too, (two D810s), my suggestion to you is to go for the Nikon lens!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

If you go Canon you can get an inexpensive adapter and use all your Nikon lenses on the Canon 1DX II, Less expensive than the Nikon D5. Then you both can share lenses and as you go along can sell the Nikon lenses and replace them with the Canon lenses.
This way you have a superb pro camera like you want and most pros use that is compatible with your wife's camera unless she is using EFs lenses. But all your FF lenses from the 1DX II will work 100% with her 7D II. The EFs lenses are crop lenses and don't cover the FF sensor.

Opusx300

Apologies, I do not mean to offend in any way but I don’t get why you would get a D5 and the 200mm f/2g lens. That is well beyond overkill given how you will use them. I can’t even wrap my head around it. It’s such an overkill that when I read it, I thought you were joking or being cocky because you are in the position to spend that kind of money when you really don’t need to. I have been known to splurge when I have it but never like what you are suggesting. I recently spent about $3600 on a canon5d iv/24-105 mm f/4 combo and considered that a huge splurge. There are so many great cameras/lenses out there that don’t come anywhere near costing that much. The only suggestion I would give here is that you and your wife consolidate onto one manufacturer to share lenses. Other than that, live long and may you continue to prosper.

Bill_de Loc: US

Could have sworn that in one of his replies the OP said his wife now decided they will both use Nikon. For one reason is they already own more Nikon lenses.

Somewhere along the way there was something about the business buying it because he takes over 100 picture a day for business.

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Opusx300

Yes, you are correct. I just saw they are consolidating onto Nikon.

Even if the business is buying it, it is still way more than needed IMHO.

Bill_de Loc: US

If we only bought what we needed, Mercedes would be out of business and there would be a waiting list for a Hyundai.

I have only belonged to a few forums aside from UHH, photo, auto, and woodworking. UHH is the only one where folks try to save other people's money. On the others everyone was encouraged to get the best they could afford.

Different strokes for different folks.

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Opusx300

I think once someone puts a question out on a board they are looking for multiple views, in addition to their own, and they make their own decision. My opinion is that given the type of photography he will be doing, he can get just as nice results at a lower price point. To me spending over $12k is overkill for how he will use it. Others will say something different and that is their perogative.

CO

LensRentals.com rents both the Nikon D5 and the Nikon 200mm f/2 lens. I would be good to rent first.

Bill_de Loc: US

Comparing Nikon 70 - 200mm F/2.8 to Nikon 200mm F/2.0

Video, no reading required.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hQx9fAAtwOI

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wetreed

Nikon COOLPIX P series is an excellent idea. The 900 is good, but the new 1000 is even better, it a zoom that is a 3000 35 mm equivalent.

ToBoldlyGo Loc: London U.K.

With respect, you're telling him that a camera which isn't on the market yet and has no reviews is better than its predecessor. You're also suggesting that a huge loss in image quality at the gain of a mega zoom is what the OP is after. I see no indication that this is the case. Why do you think they're after a huge zoom, they've indicated they're looking for more quality in their shots. This is one of the main reasons people buy into a camera system, to get the quality of shot they're looking for.