Nikon D500 or D7200?

[F355GTS]

I've used Nikon for many Years D1, D200, D70, D90 and currently a D7000, the last of which I've used for general photography, Low level aircraft at the Mach Loop and for track days/ F1.I've been pleased wit the resultsover the last few Years mainly shooting Jpeg rather than raw.

It's time to upgrade and I've considered the D500 mainly due to buffer and fps but the reality is I'll use those features maybe for 2 x Loop visits a Year and a day or two on motorsport

I'm wondering if the D7200 is the better all round option but will I find it limited as I try to improve my results on fast moving subjects

Any help/ guidance would be most appreciated

[Simpo Two]

I haven't used either but the D500 is from the semi-pro range whereas the D7200 is top-end consumer. At least that's how I think about it. So the D500 is going to be bigger, better built, and have more functions on knobs and buttons where you can get at them easily. Things like tracking AF might be better too, not sure. I'd go for the D500.

Compare them at dpreview.com

[steveatesh]

D500 seems to be gettint excellent reviews, for me it would be a no brainier between those two cameras. D500 in a heartbeat.

Whatever you pick enjoy though, it's a good problem to have!

[Yellabelly]

My lad has upgraded from the D7000 to the D7200 and has also upgraded the Sigma 150-500 to the Sigma 150-600 Sport. He reckons the D7200 is a substantial step forward, as a published aviation tog with an image in the Red Arrows 2016 VIP calendar, Typhoon Aerobatic team brochures and the Chinook 2015 display brochure he was very impressed with its capabilities especially the increase in fps and low light capability. He also recently shot a wedding as second camera and was mightily pleased with it when shooting in low light. The D500 looks to have a superb spec but at twice the price of the D7200 it couldn't really be regarded as viable for such limited use but who in this hobby of ours ever uses logic as justification....apart from Simpo!

[Simpo Two]

Haha, well it's true I'd ignored the matter of price. If you take photos for money then it's merely a question of benefits vs payback time. You can spend £1K on a lens quite happily because you know the next wedding will pay for it. If a hobbyist I agree price is much more important and you have to apply the 'How badly do I need those benefits?' test.

[F355GTS]

Thanks for the feedback, difficult decision but I've taken the plunge on the D500 I'll keep the D7000 for general stuff and maybe upgrade it next Year

[Simpo Two]

Nice work, always best to pitch it a bit higher, rather than lower and have regrets.

[gck303]

Simpo Two said:

I haven't used either but the D500 is from the semi-pro range whereas the D7200 is top-end consumer. At least that's how I think about it. So the D500 is going to be bigger, better built, and have more functions on knobs and buttons where you can get at them easily. Things like tracking AF might be better too, not sure. I'd go for the D500.

Compare them at dpreview.com

That is key: Pro vs consumer. The difference will be understood by handling and comparing them, not looking at a feature sheet.

Different build, body and more features a pro would want. And dropping the less important consumer gimmicks.

[GravelBen]

Bigger and heavier if you want to climb mountains with it though.

[Simpo Two]

GravelBen said:

Bigger and heavier if you want to climb mountains with it though.

Better in a fight though.

But seriously if I was climbing moutains I'd take a good compact.

[FurtiveFreddy]

I now use a D500 most of the time and take a D5500 when climbing mountains.

The shutter and AF on the D500 are great for any sort of action work. The 10fps capability is kinda' cheating, but I find myself using it quite a bit. The 4k video is also a nice-to-have.

Once you have more advanced/new capabilities available to use, it can make you more creative and give you new ideas. There are several features and settings on the D500 I've played with which have planted seeds in my mind.

TBH the metering and AF are both so advanced now I reckon I'd benefit from going on a workshop to short cut the process of learning how to use them properly. Grays have one coming up on Sep 3rd in London but I can't make it that day. Maybe something to consider if your D500 arrives in time?