Anyone else waiting for a Nikon Z (CROP SENSOR) camera that replaces the D500?

[fcotterill]

The D500 is still a fairly large ILC. The dimensions and weight of a Z90 might be influenced by a design with adequate heatsink(s) - if cooling demands its video specs are high end.

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[Nimi]

The D500 is still a fairly large ILC. The dimensions and weight of a Z90 might be controlled more by cooling for its video specs.

View attachment 73652

Fuji shows what can be done. This the the S version, but it's the same body as the XH2, which is APS-C, 40mp, BSI sensor. Capable camera.

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[Woodyg3]

I think that many of you are not seeing that the crop frame body is desirable for the cost savings. It seems that many on this forum are comfortable spending what it takes to buy a Z9 or Z8, but in the big world out there you are in the minority. I remember people saying that they doubted that Nikon would come out with a 200-600 as originally planned because the Z lenses available already out covered the range. The 200-600 became the 180-600 and everyone one in the world wanted one. Why? Lower cost and it met the specs that a great number of people wanted.

 

[John Navitsky]

crop frame body is desirable for the cost savings.

yes, it opens up action shooting to a new segment of people to which it was unobtainable previously

 

[fcotterill]

I think that many of you are not seeing that the crop frame body is desirable for the cost savings. It seems that many on this forum are comfortable spending what it takes to buy a Z9 or Z8, but in the big world out there you are in the minority. I remember people saying that they doubted that Nikon would come out with a 200-600 as originally planned because the Z lenses available already out covered the range. The 200-600 became the 180-600 and everyone one in the world wanted one. Why? Lower cost and it met the specs that a great number of people wanted.

Anecdotal, but I know no less than 5 Nikon owners who lament the demise of the D500 and hope for a Z90 - aka BabyZ9 - primarily for its affordability, compared to the Z8.

They will rely on the FTZ with existing lenses such as their 200-500 f5.6E, while saving up for Z mount glass. the new 180-600 and/or 24-200 will be first purchases....

The smaller footprint and weight is also important for some of us, which is entiurely possible for Nikon. A beefier Z50 makes sense to accommodate heatsink besides fitting in the CFEXpress slot and other hardware.

Fuji shows what can be done. This the the S version, but it's the same body as the XH2, which is APS-C, 40mp, BSI sensor. Capable camera.


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[Tiago C]

Are you willing to pay say $3,000 for the body…because that's probably what it would cost. Sensor would be 19MP assuming it's a scaled down Z8/9 sensor which while adequate would be a marketing downer, and making a 24 or 30MP sensor is a whole new development of a back side illuminated fast sensor. Add in the better EVF, the Expeed 7…and sure, you could probably fit that in a Z7 sized body but anything smaller would mean a smaller battery and again…marketing downer. And all of that is assuming that a smaller body can handle the heat that the sensor and electronics generate. And then consider the market…how many people would buy this $3K body?

The Z7II is already smaller and lighter than a D500 is…and I would bet that a large portion of the decision to make the Z8 what it is instead of putting all of those Z9 guts into the Z7II body and calling that either the Z8 or Z7III has to do with either physical size limitations, battery capacity, or heat load.

Granted…the Z8 is bigger and heavier than the Z7II is…and there's a reason for that difference. The sensor is the same size although a BSI one might be thicker. Don't know if the Expeed 7 is significantly larger than the Expeed 6 but probably it is given the huge performance difference with the according heat load. Battery…anything smaller than the Z7II would use the En-EL25 like the other crop sensor Z bodies…and it's less than half the capacity of the EN-EL15C that the Z7/8 use…so another marketing downer there.

I'm not going to say never because I don't know Nikon's thoughts…but there are just too many roadblocks both technical and economical to make a crop sensor sized body with Z8/9 guts in it…and you know what…the crop sensor body with Z9 features already exists, just put the Z8 in DX mode…or if you want light get a Z7II and put it in DX mode, but you won't get Z9 performance.

Check my reply above, there are many modern Sony APS-C sensors that could be used, currently used on cameras costing less than $2000

 

[Bubbahotep]

I would like to see a mirrorless D500 replacement (although I now own a Z8). I would like to have a second camera body but with a different lens on. Rather than getting an anticipated Z6III, I would rather have more reach as it's hard to get too close to birds. While you can use a full frame in crop mode and get the same reach, you have to pay twice as much for similar resolution. I also agree with Thom Hogan's reasoning that Nikon needs to show commitment to the DX market for competitive reasons. If we want Nikon to be around another 20 years, Nikon needs to attract newer hobbyists into its system. Luckily Nikon already offers the most extensive long lens lineup. Perhaps, Nikon can add a DX 200-500mm lightweight lens to make its offerings for newer hobbyists more compelling.

 

[Craig Yuill]

Over on DPReview Thom Hogan started a thread asking D500 owners what their interest in a Z-mount equivalent to the D500 was. The thread got a lot of attention. A good number had no interest because they like and will continue to shoot with their D500s. The majority (me included) said they were interested.

I agree with an earlier comment that size and cost are two things that drive the desire for a “Z500”. They are why I have a D500 + Sigma 100-400mm lens - I could afford the body and lens, the combo is easy to carry, offers good performance, and meets most of my needs. Until an affordable and easy-to-carry performance combo is available in the Z system. I’m sticking with my F-mount gear. All the power to you if you can afford a Z8 and crop.

 

[AlanB313]

Over on DPReview Thom Hogan started a thread asking D500 owners what their interest in a Z-mount equivalent to the D500 was. The thread got a lot of attention. A good number had no interest because they like and will continue to shoot with their D500s. The majority (me included) said they were interested.

I agree with an earlier comment that size and cost are two things that drive the desire for a “Z500”. They are why I have a D500 + Sigma 100-400mm lens - I could afford the body and lens, the combo is easy to carry, offers good performance, and meets most of my needs. Until an affordable and easy-to-carry performance combo is available in the Z system. I’m sticking with my F-mount gear. All the power to you if you can afford a Z8 and crop.

I agree, I'm adding high quality F glass because I can finally afford it now that folks are shedding it for Z. It's a dilemma because I know that eventually I'd like a z8. I need a 2nd body (I have a d500) and am thinking of getting a used d850. But they are close to a z7ii in price. If used d850s come down a little more, the decision might be easier.
Or, I just wait for another year or two and get the z8. But a Z500 would be very interesting....

 

[Calson]

Buy a Nikon Z30 and you get your APS-C mirrorless camera with roughly the same resolution as the D500 and with superior video performance. But if size of the body is all that counts and you will need to buy new Z-mount lenses for the new camera then there is no reason not to buy a MFT camera with a 4/3 size sensor and have many more options including the Olympus E-M10 Mark IV that sells new for only $700.

 

[simonsi]

Buy a Nikon Z30 and you get your APS-C mirrorless camera with roughly the same resolution as the D500 and with superior video performance. But if size of the body is all that counts and you will need to buy new Z-mount lenses for the new camera then there is no reason not to buy a MFT camera with a 4/3 size sensor and have many more options including the Olympus E-M10 Mark IV that sells new for only $700.

But doesnt the Z30 have no viewfinder, just Liveview on the monitor? Thats not really conducive to shooting stuff that moves. This is where people get lost in specs and forget how it is to be used…

 

[Bubbahotep]

The more I think about this the more I lean to wanting a D500 replacement as a second camera on wildlife shoots. A full frame, 24-ish MP, camera doesn't cut it.

 

[Craig Yuill]

Buy a Nikon Z30 and you get your APS-C mirrorless camera with roughly the same resolution as the D500 and with superior video performance. But if size of the body is all that counts and you will need to buy new Z-mount lenses for the new camera then there is no reason not to buy a MFT camera with a 4/3 size sensor and have many more options including the Olympus E-M10 Mark IV that sells new for only $700.

The D500 is a robust prosumer camera with one of the best DSLR AF systems ever created. It is a very good camera for photographing fast-moving subjects. The Z 30 and E-M10 IV are consumer cameras that are not known for having the fastest AF. Neither is a replacement for the D500. They are fine cameras for general photography and video, but are geared towards different kinds of photography than the D500 was.