I've been using a D7100 for a very long time, and it's beginning to threaten to just plain wear out. It occurs to me that the next step would be to something mirrorless, and my general preference would be Nikon, and likely full frame. But comparisons of relative focus speed and the like don't skip generations as some of us users do.
I know, of course, that subsquent DSLR's have improved on the D7100 in this regard, and that the top of the line is likely to be better, but that doesn't do much to tell me whether, for example, one of the Z5, Z6 or Z7 variety would be a step up, down, or sideways, especially with regard to action focusing, birds in flight, and the like.
I've gotten pretty good BIF results from the D7100, and even before that from a D3200 with plenty of panning practice. Can anyone who has used a multitude of models help to place some of the older DSLR's in some kind of relative position here?
Indeed, D7100 is already (and still) a good camera for birding.
If you're doing BIF, with the two first versions of Z6/7 and Z5 there may be too little to no improvement at all. You'd have to step up to Z8/Z9/ZF to have something comparable or better in term of efficiency for this specific usage.
Though, to my sense, for all the rest, any Z may be better than D7xxx series.
Also, D500 and D850 are on the top for BIF, only touched by the last Z9/Z8/ZF trio.
If you still have your AF lenses, I would list then these solutions (I'm only listing likely replacements, if you want to break the bank, get a Z9 then ;) ):
- the cheapest enhancement : find a used D7200 (I had both D7100 and D7200 and I can ensure you it's really an enhancement)
- in the middle : find a used D500 (it's the definitve workhorse, still nowadays)
- the "priciest" to "overpriced" : get a Z8 and use your AF lenses with FTZ adaptor and then gradually replace your lenses with Nikon Z ones
And now my own "AF" Nikon DSLRs ranking, from less to most efficient for BIF:
D3xxx and D5xxx : as you said : "panning" ;)
D7100 : you know how it works
D7200 : same as D7100, just noticeably faster (with around 3x more buffer capacity)
D850 : it's a lot faster and more efficient and versatile than both D7100 and D7200
D500 : same as D850, but as it uses a DX sensor, it's even a bit faster, so, you can't really get something better (in any brand, by the way)...
I didn't try D7500... sorry. I didn't have any interest for it as a D7200 owner at the time it was out.
... but as always, that's only an advice.
Thanks for the detail. It is, more or less, as I've expected. My choices are limited, not so much by finances as by travel, because I do a lot of traveling with hand luggage only, and the D7100's size and weight are at about the limit. I've thought of just going for a D500 and managing somehow to squeeze in the larger size, but the bigger full frame DSLR's are out, as are the D8 and 9. The Df has some attraction.
My wife has a D7200, so maybe what I need to do is convince her to change and inherit hers.
@formerly-bruto Can't say better :D
About D500, even if it's a bit bigger and heavier, it's not a big deal with telephotos, as it balances better. For the rest, the weight difference is less than one hundred grams, so I guess it can be handled. (I travel with a bicycle, so I often "play" with weight management ;) )
Only thing that can be regretted from D7200 is battery life... but that should be true for any new camera coming from the D7200.
@prg-lagarde True enough, and I like much about the D500 to the extent of lusting after one from time to time, but even this small added size and weight makes for potential difficulties in world travel. Even the D7100 with the 70-300 is close to overdoing it. Of course there are ways around this if absolutely necessary, but I do need to be able not only to close the bag but to get it under the airplane seat. I love my 200-500, and would love to hitch that to a D500, or to get a nice Z8 which does just about everything well. But they'd all stay home as the big lens already does.
It is one of the reasons why, love the DSLR's though I do, I am tempted by smaller-footprint mirrorless cameras.
I should add that I live in the wilds of Vermont, and wherever we go, nothing flies directly. After several near disasters, my wife and I have adopted a "never check baggage" traveling style. Whether for a week or a month, if we go anywhere, it's with a carry-on bag and an underseat backpack. All my photo equipment, and a small amount of other stuff needed, goes under the seat or it does not go at all.
Reluctantly traded D7500 for a Z8 for improved AF, despite greater weight. Bought a Z5 two years ago to try mirrorless but kept D7500 until recently as I felt it was a bit better for BIF and action. I think Z5, while an excellent camera and value which I may keep, would most likely be a step sideways for you. Can't speak to the Z6s or 7s.
@formerly-bruto Get a 500 PF then and you will have no more weight problems ;)...
I switched to it because I simply always used 200-500 at 500 and also because of the fact it's 1kg less, roughly. It's also way smaller.
@prg-lagarde Nice try! I realize I'm in a special class of traveler here, but right now I'm at the ragged edge of too big and too heavy with a D7100, 16-80 and the FX 70-300. That tele zoom is nearly a deal breaker as it is, at half the weight and a third the size of the (admittedly lovely, and wouldn't I like to have one? Sure! ) 500 PF! On trips where I really don't expect to need a telephoto, I already leave that one behind. I recently went for almost a month in Italy with no tele. The 16-80 did fine almost all the time. Some airlines, like Lufthansa, weigh everything.
@formerly-bruto I see now ;)...
So the best bet may be to steal your wife's D7200 indeed. :D
Or may be get a D7500 and AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR. If D7500 is doing the same job as D500 when it comes to high ISOs (same sensor, so I can confirm), it could compensate the loss of light in the long end.
And it's quite a lighter and smaller combo (more than 300 grs less) :
I can't see anything that may be better in your case, the 16-80 being the best choice in the trans-standard range.
I wasn't into bird photography before I migrated off my D7500 so I can't directly compare, but I can say I did find BIF frustrating with the Z7ii and it's been a joy with the Z9. If you were doing it with the D3200 you'd probably be fine, but I would expect the Z7 to be a step sideways or possibly back. The Z8 would be a clear upgrade, but it is bigger than the Z7.
@kwongphotographyhotmail-com Excellent overview !
For the record, about D500's battery "issues", I had better results by putting the camera in Airplane Mode (Airplane Mode "ON").
Removing the battery from the camera when you don't use it is also a must with D500.
Another point : D500 is designed to shoot in burst mode mostly. For instance, shooting about 1000 frames in less than 10 bursts in a continuous session can use 5 to 10% of battery.
@kwongphotographyhotmail-com Well, don't know. Mine is certainly not as good as D7200 (I don't know any camera that is though), that's for sure, but it is still correct. Anyway, the fact is the D500 is probably the camera I used that drains more the battery when you don't use it, though it seems not everybody is equally served : https://prosophos.com/2017/08/02/d500-battery-drain-problem-solved-with-firmware-version-1-13/ .
Still a mystery ...
@kwongphotographyhotmail-com Most of the time, I use (when I can) my D500 in the wild... but I rarely let it goes to sleep : I shut it down and turn it on each time (and it's quite fast at that). I find the power button very practical on Nikon cameras and always use them that way. Some said it's not a good habbit, but perhaps it's better with the D500... who knows ?
@kwongphotographyhotmail-com Understandable. I never used D500 for concerts so I can't tell. But it's a fact my camera is always on when I'm shooting events indeed (which I haven't done for a while).
@kwongphotographyhotmail-com No confusion, I just read "events" and thought concerts. Nothing to do with your own practice. It's just a situation where I can figure out keeping camera always on is a must.