Upgrade D7200

[gaknott]

I currently shoot a D7200 and D850, 12-24, 24-70 and 200-500. I like keeping the long zoom on the crop sensor D7200 and the other lenses with the D850. However, I keep switching the 200-500 to the D850 because of the autofocus system, buffer and image processor. I keep thinking about upgrading the D7200 to a D500 for those reasons previously mentioned. Looking for experienced opinions on image quality between the two (same shot, same settings, both properly focused). Also, is D500 the way to go or something else? I hate to continually swap lenses for different situations and like the two camera option. Not interested in mirrorless at this time. Shooting mainly wildlife, birds in flight, crop most shots to some extent.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Fishboy1952]

Like you I shoot mostly wildlife with a focus on BIF. I do not have a D7200, but I did upgrade from a D7500 to the D500. One of the best things I have done. The IQ is similar between the D7500 and D500, but the step up in the AF system with the D500 is amazing. That and the ability to swap AF modes at the release of a button was a game changer for me. All I know is that my keepers are more consistent. The D7500 is now my backup.

 

[gaknott]

Like you I shoot mostly wildlife with a focus on BIF. I do not have a D7200, but I did upgrade from a D7500 to the D500. One of the best things I have done. The IQ is similar between the D7500 and D500, but the step up in the AF system with the D500 is amazing. That and the ability to swap AF modes at the release of a button was a game changer for me. All I know is that my keepers are more consistent. The D7500 is now my backup.

Thanks for the feedback, Fishboy!

 

[Steve W]

The D500 is streets ahead of the D7100 and D7200. I was giving up on DX until the D500 came along. The 7xxx camera got relegated to kids use.

 

[gaknott]

The D500 is streets ahead of the D7100 and D7200. I was giving up on DX until the D500 came along. The 7xxx camera got relegated to kids use.

Thanks for the info, Steve!!

 

[EricBowles]

Hi Greg

I'd sit tight and wait to see what happens over the next 6-8 months. It's pretty likely we will see a D500 replacement and/or a higher end DX mirrorless. If you want to buy now, buy used with the expectation a new camera will be released soon.

Nikon has an aggressive financial forecast, and it can't be achieved with the current cameras. They have a flagship DSLR, but not a flagship mirrorless yet. They also need a high volume camera for the enthusiast segment.

The D850 and D500 are very good cameras and still account for about 25-30% of Nikon sales in units. Both are candidates for an update. The updates should be easy - The D780 is a Z6 in a DSLR format. The D880 would be a Z7II in a DSLR format. The D500 update is a D880 in DX format with a high frame rate.

Nikon has released the Z6II/Z7II for full frame mirrorless, but the obvious gap is an enthusiast DX camera and lenses. A D500 update in mirrorless format would be a great camera.

Your current cameras are good enough that you can be patient. The newer models will have updated AF and a faster processor - and probably dual processors.

 

[gaknott]

Hi Greg

I'd sit tight and wait to see what happens over the next 6-8 months. It's pretty likely we will see a D500 replacement and/or a higher end DX mirrorless. If you want to buy now, buy used with the expectation a new camera will be released soon.

Nikon has an aggressive financial forecast, and it can't be achieved with the current cameras. They have a flagship DSLR, but not a flagship mirrorless yet. They also need a high volume camera for the enthusiast segment.

The D850 and D500 are very good cameras and still account for about 25-30% of Nikon sales in units. Both are candidates for an update. The updates should be easy - The D780 is a Z6 in a DSLR format. The D880 would be a Z7II in a DSLR format. The D500 update is a D880 in DX format with a high frame rate.

Nikon has released the Z6II/Z7II for full frame mirrorless, but the obvious gap is an enthusiast DX camera and lenses. A D500 update in mirrorless format would be a great camera.

Your current cameras are good enough that you can be patient. The newer models will have updated AF and a faster processor - and probably dual processors.

Thanks for the feedback, Eric. Yes, I am definitely considering used if I go the D500 route now. With a successful D500 replacement, the current model should drop in price also. It is always hard to choose the perfect time to upgrade your gear!!

 

[BillW]

A DX crop of your D850 images (in post or in camera — I prefer to do it in post) is almost identical to a D500 image. So consider using the 200-500 on the D850, cropping if you need to, and your shorter lenses on the D7200 if you like to carry two bodies. You could also consider the 16-80 mm Nikon lens to get a normal zoom that would get to 24 mm full frame FOV on the D7200 and other DX bodies. One thing you lose with the D850 as opposed to the D500 is frame rate. The D500 will do 10 fps, while the D850 does 7 fps without a grip and 9 fps with a grip. The D500 is probably a bit better for most BIF than the D850. But the D850 is still quite good and would allow you to wait a bit to see what comes out, as Eric suggests. I’m mostly shooting Z bodies now, but have kept my D850 and D500 for BIF and other fast action.

 

[Strodav]

Started birding with a D7200 and Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 G2. The D7200 is an excellent general purpose camera and the sensor is the highest rated of the Nikon DX cameras and I do not plan on selling it. I later picked up a used D500 for the improved AF system and my birding keep rate went up immediately. I was able to get a D850 when they first came out and the D850 / D500 combination is hard to beat for virtually anything you might want to shoot, but the D7200 with 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens is still one of my favorite cameras and I use it for family events and vacations especially when worried about theft or damage.

I am hoping Nikon announces both D850 and D500 replacements. If they do, I will stay with Nikon dslrs. If not, I'll probably go with the R5 as Canon has the lead in mirrorless technology and mirrorless glass.

 

[gaknott]

A DX crop of your D850 images (in post or in camera — I prefer to do it in post) is almost identical to a D500 image. So consider using the 200-500 on the D850, cropping if you need to, and your shorter lenses on the D7200 if you like to carry two bodies. You could also consider the 16-80 mm Nikon lens to get a normal zoom that would get to 24 mm full frame FOV on the D7200 and other DX bodies. One thing you lose with the D850 as opposed to the D500 is frame rate. The D500 will do 10 fps, while the D850 does 7 fps without a grip and 9 fps with a grip. The D500 is probably a bit better for most BIF than the D850. But the D850 is still quite good and would allow you to wait a bit to see what comes out, as Eric suggests. I’m mostly shooting Z bodies now, but have kept my D850 and D500 for BIF and other fast action.

Thanks for the info, Bill. I appreciate hearing the opinion of someone who owns the same gear I am moving toward. I do tend to leave the 24-70 on the D7200 right now because I shoot a lot more BIF and other wildlife than I do landscapes.

 

[gaknott]

Started birding with a D7200 and Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 G2. The D7200 is an excellent general purpose camera and the sensor is the highest rated of the Nikon DX cameras and I do not plan on selling it. I later picked up a used D500 for the improved AF system and my birding keep rate went up immediately. I was able to get a D850 when they first came out and the D850 / D500 combination is hard to beat for virtually anything you might want to shoot, but the D7200 with 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens is still one of my favorite cameras and I use it for family events and vacations especially when worried about theft or damage.

I am hoping Nikon announces both D850 and D500 replacements. If they do, I will stay with Nikon dslrs. If not, I'll probably go with the R5 as Canon has the lead in mirrorless technology and mirrorless glass.

Thank you, Strodav!! I am glad to hear from someone that has gone through the same path as I am doing. I have no problem with the quality images from the D7200, just want that D500 autofocus system, frame rate and buffer! I appreciate your feedback!

 

[EricBowles]

I am hoping Nikon announces both D850 and D500 replacements. If they do, I will stay with Nikon dslrs. If not, I'll probably go with the R5 as Canon has the lead in mirrorless technology and mirrorless glass.

Everyone has their take on who is best and what camera model is ahead. The reality is the company that is ahead depends on which camera is the newest flagship model. A D7200 or D7500 is never going to be ahead of any flagship model - and it never was.

When you start looking at top performing cameras, you need to consider the purpose of YouTube comparisons. Most YouTubers make money based on ads and clicks. One YouTuber recently did a comparison of Eye and Face AF, and showed the Nikon camera did not pick up the eye. But the actual images showed more in focus images with the Nikon camera that switched to other modes. Another YouTube review of the A1 talked about the great Eye Detect AF - and the examples showed it failed with backlit images of a model on 100% of the shots - but the photographer was happy.

If you look at working pros, you'll find that the camera is not holding back anyone. They figure out how to make the images with the camera they have. It's how to make it work the best for a given situation. The R5, A1 or D6 is not going to make you a better photographer or improve your technique. If your technique is lacking, an A7Riv, D850 or Z7II will show your mistakes. Your glass needs to be up to the level of the camera or it's the weak link. Don't bother with a high resolution camera if you are using low resolution lenses - you won't realize the value of the camera.