Hi all, I am a new member on this forum from the UK. I want some advice from you guys. I am going on a Costa Rica trip in April next year. I have a choice of buying a Nikon D850 and a D5 both used for the trip. Downside is that this delays my move to mirrorless and would mean I would then have to sell the gear some time in the future to then move to mirrorless, probably for less money. The other option is to buy a Nikon Z9. That gets me the latest technology but would mean I could only take this one camera as my budget will not stretch for two. What do you think I should do?
Just curious what camera you currently use and what you plan to shoot in Costa Rica.
I don’t think it’s necessarily a slam dunk on your options.
Note that I currently own a gripped D850 and a Z9 and shoot mostly birds. I prefer shooting with the Z9, but frankly, my keeper rate is about the same as the Z9’s AF improvements are balanced out by some weaknesses relative to my DSLR experience.
There are pros and cons to both choices. Here’s a few comparisons based on my experience.
D850 and D5
- may be more budget friendly with good used prices
- It’s a bulky combo but allows use of two different focal lengths at once
- you’ll have a backup camera
- better battery life
- essentially same IQ as Z9, if not a tad better for high ISO (D5) and dynamic range (D850)
- D5 better for shooting in low light at high ISO offering better AF and cleaner files
- Loud shutter release
- less expensive lenses
Z9
- Much higher frame rates and shutter speeds
- AF works at f/8 and smaller where DSLRs struggle or fail
- almost unlimited buffer with HE* raw and high speed type B CFExpress card
- almost silent operation
- pre-release mode
- brighter DSLR-like EVF viewfinder which would be helpful in low light
- EVF can be set to show shooting info and reflect exposure settings via brightness of viewfinder image
- can use Z and/or F mount lenses
- Subject ID in some AF modes - great when it works
- generally better Z lenses
- AF requires getting used to with pros and cons vs DSLR. Two different AF modes are often required, and despite numerous firmware updates (4.01), it still has a mirrorless tendancy to lock on backgrounds vs DSLRs. Workarounds are available but need to be learned.
- AF faster than DSLR when using TCs
- bring extra batteries
- consider refurbished Z9 to keep cost down