The D850 is the BEST DSLR in history. The Z7 is the first in the future mirrorless. I have the D850. Why go with a prototype? I will most probably choose the next Nikon Mirrorless in a year or so. With all the backlash, it will most likely have Eye-AF and Dual Card Slots and maybe some new surprises like a 50+ Megapixel Sensor. For a Backup now to my D850, I am considering a Z6 as it has the same video capability of the Z7, but $1200.00 cheaper. Anyway, great time to be alive in Photography!
I cannot disagree. If I had a D850 I can't imagine side-grading to a Z7 unless you just really really need the AF coverage. Both look like great cameras though.
I would go with the Z7. I tried it at my local shop and loved it. Felt good in my hands. 4 awesome questions at 22:17 that can help someone decide on the Z7 or D850 too! 1) Do you shoot Video? 2) Do you want something smaller and lighter? 3) Can you live with one card slot? 4) Can you live without vertical grip? If you answered "yes" to all of the questions above, heck yeah, jump on the Z7! Both cameras are phenomenal!
While I love my new Z 6 the body and controls still don't equate to my D500s or a D850. I can operate my D500s without looking at it but with the Z 6 I need to look at the menus more often. Not a huge deal but something I've noticed already. This consideration only applies to paid/professional situations such as live events/weddings and sports/wildlife where you need fast direct access to controls. For casual photography then the Z 6 and Z 7 are perfect. I really got my Z 6 for video and so far.. WOW!
I went with both. I had the D850...great stills camera...but after spending a week with a loaner Z7 I thought about it for a couple months and in a weaker moment, bought it at a branch of a local chain. They threw in a 64gig XQD and 3 extended warranty. For raw stills, they are indistinguishable, both excellent. But for JPG stills, the Z7 has the edge because of the newer Expeed 6 processor. I was not concerned about the single slot because during the loaner week I found the new version of their wireless connectivity is lightyears ahead of any other camera I have seen including the D850. Over the two months with it and several events, I still have not removed the XQD once. All the files go really fast to my editing computer and that has been fast and flawless. That is one of the best features, reliable wireless backup that is seamless and 14 bit raw files arriving on the editing computer in just over 1 second after each shot is made. The range is good. The Z7 was intended to be a travel and second camera for shoots with the D850 as the primary but the more I use the Z7 the more it gets priority. I am getting more interesting personal shots because it is small enough to be with me all the time. One of the great benefits of the Z line is that new mount. I know some reviewers say the new low cost small 1.8 primes feel cheap but they are all metal, light and have a noticeably better corner to corner sharpness and contrast wide open and than my top F mount lenses that cost much more and are bulkier. They have very impressive performance. for wide open sharpness, they are the best lenses at their FL available. That bodes well for a large number of primes and faster zooms scheduled to be released in the coming months. Since I do a lot of portraits, I am pretty picky about selecting focus plane so don't care about eye AF but apparently, a lot of people what the camera to decide so there is good news for them, a new firmware update adds 3 big news features 1 Eye AF, 2; 12bit RAW video out the HDMI port which is a game changer for serious videographers who really need top quality images with 10,000 times the fine step of illuminance than the other cameras out with far courser steps. The 3rd feature is an addition of CFExpress card support that should make the camera into an infinite buffer with 5-8 times the buffer clearing speed. The cards announced to have 8 pipes so it is possible to write copies to more than 1 pipe for in-card backup. There are hints of additional features added in later firmware updates. I like grips, and was not happy to hear the battery grip might not have controls. Nikon only says it has 2 battery slots. But playing with the phone app for the camera and finding it is possible to control everything on the camera with BlueTooth, any 3rd party or Nikon can add any number of control to a grip. Within a month or two expect to see 3rd party grips that control at least shutter, AF-on and joystick AF point selector. For those complaining about not having a forward facing screen for video selfies, they seem to lack imagination. Anyone serious about video will have a larger monitor recorder like the Ninja 5 but for the rest, they can use their phone as a monitor. Now I am thinking of selling my D800 because it is gathering dust on the shelf and use that towards a Z6 as a personal walking around camera and second camera for lightweight shoots supporting the Z7. A pro build quality better than the competition, weather sealed, Z mount camera for $1996 is a bargain. For video it has no competition and stills its a very good camera.
@Stan SPb: Wow, that's really a great review, very informative. I have the D850, and I'm happy with it, but I like hearing about what people think of the Z7. Thanks so much for sharing all of this with us, Stan.
Hello Stan SPb. If you allow me, I'll ask you a question as you are the owner of both of the cameras that i'm having a hard time choosing between. You wrote that the wireless connection on the Z7 is better than the D850. Since May there has been an update for the D850 so it's possible to connect wireless directly to a pc. Can you tell me if with this update the D850 is as easy to connect as the Z7? Best regards
Thank you for actually doing a real review and comparison of these cameras. Personally I love the 2 card slots, larger size body, grip, and the ability to use all my lenses without an adapter. If I did more video work I would look into the Z7 but because I do mainly product lifestyle photography the 850 gets my vote!
I have always been a Nikon shooter going all the way back to the Nikon F2 (film camera). I have both the D850 and the new Z7, and I love them both. But I use these two cameras differently. Hands down, the D850 is the best DSLR on the market today, and I tend to use this camera whenever I’m shooting landscapes from a tripod. The Z7, on the other hand, is my go-to camera whenever I want to walk around shooting handheld due to the weight and the amazing IBIS. And the beauty of the Z7 is that you don’t sacrifice image quality because of the great sensor with exactly the same resolution as the D850. That being said, I have been using the Z7 for landscape work recently as well, and I’m really impressed with the quality of the images. The “kit” 24-70mm f/4 lens is super sharp from edge to edge. Still, I wouldn’t sell my D850. I love both cameras!
I'm thinking about buying either a Z7 or a D850 soon and both me and my brother do a lot of Macro photography, hiking, and some low light photography. I was curious which one you think might be better for that type of stuff. I'm so torn between the two. Any insight is appreciated. Thank you. Hope you are well.
@@EdmondOliverLives Hello Oliver, personally, having owned both the D850 and Z7, and now the Z7 II as well, I would recommend getting the Z7 II. It really ticks all of the boxes for me. I actually owned both the D850 and Z7 at the same time, but found that once your start using the EVF, it’s very hard to go back to an optical viewfinder, so I sold my D850 and bought a second Z7. Unfortunately, a macro lens for the Z-series cameras has not yet been released, and I found that the F-mount version from Nikon didn’t work very well with the FTZ adapter. It kept hunting for focus, and the internal image stabilization of the lens was very noisy. I actually sold that lens. I only have one F-mount lens remaining: the 200-500mm f/5.6. The new Z-mount lenses are the best I’ve ever used in all my years as a photographer. I hope this information is helpful. You can always DM me on my Instagram page: @guygabrielphotography if you’d like to chat further.
I bought the D850 due to its great stills reviews, but then got in to video. Since I had all the Nikon glass, I decided to purchase the Z7 to focus on video. I use both, but exclusively use the Z7 for video. Thanks Jared - great and fair review.
Sold my d850 and Bought the z7. ITs ok but too many little annoying things for me: 1) My tripod plate had to be removed when i switched lenses and FTZ adapter..2)24-70 had alot of chromatic aberration 3) Not many lenses to chose from yet 4) The wired remote plug kept slipping out when shooting vertical 5) Cant be converted to IR(horizontal banding) 6) Not a big weight difference when using FTZ and lens 7) One card slot(not a deal breaker) 8) battery life was really short 9) My EVF kept shutting off to conserve batter power. In the end, I Sold my z7 and repurchased a used d850.
@@jixxxxer17 Had the D5 and still prefer the 850,.. the D5 is just way to heavy and I rather have the extra resolution and cropability of the 850 over the extra f stops of the D5.
@@jixxxxer17 Omg I don't miss the weight of a full body at all. Yes the d850 is the best camera in it's price range, no doubt I love mine. I do love my z6 for everyday, it's so nimble.
I remember saving up for my first SLR - a Canon TX! That was 45 years ago. Good for you! Now, when I bought my first D850 I did have to unload my D810. But then I found myself buying another D850! I hate switching lenses. I don't think you'll have wasted your time saving up!
I use a D800 and the Z. My commercial work includes project photos for For interior designers, where I am shooting on a tripod. The Z is fantastic for that! I can see the exposure, real time, on the back of the camera. As lighting is a key element of the design, I use available light with the occasional reflector. Again, the preview is very helpful. I also shot for a local fox hunt group and some motorsports photography. The Z sucks for things that are fast moving. The DSLR is always there and ready, while you have to wait for the Z to wake up. I suspect there's a battery eating option to keep it on all the time, but the DSLR wins, hands down, for shooting things that move and change rapidly. Get both!
I agree with you 100% and if I were in the market for a 45mp camera then at this moment in time I would go with the D850 but only because of the grip. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the firmware updates fix the eye af because this might be a game changer for me. Exciting times ahead!
Thank you Jared, these videos really help with the decision making process. I use a Nikon d7200 and have been wanting to upgrade to a full frame. I understand mirrorless is the next generation in technology. I thought the Z7 would be a great transition into that as I can use my current lenses and slowly move into the z lenses. Yet, I'm an enthusiast photographer who enjoys birds and macro. Therefore, this video helped very much with my decision. Since I'm not a professional, I can still get a great camera (D850) and probably find one used and not break the bank.
I started in photography BEFORE SLR cameras. Twin lens and range finder cameras were almost silent in use, were small and light weight. At 71 years of age I feel that photography has come full circle for me. I'm back where I started, no floppy mirror, light weight and silent shutter release...again.
For me it is really hard to pick. But personally for my style of photography the z7 wins and that is only because I can use all my vintage glass on it and the IBIS, and I shoot mostly manual focus lenses. But I would not say no to a d850, honestly the battery life on the d850 is a huge plus in my book so I won't have to pack as many batteries, I've been drooling over it for ages, I just don't have the money to buy it, and my d810 still works great.
Wedding Photographer = Stick with the tried and true 850 until all of the cons of the Z fall way through evolution. OR - pick up a Z as a back up to get used to with the 850 as a primary.
Yes your right - I have 2 D750 cameras they need to be relegated to B cams (160000 clicks) 4 years old. My problem is I do need to get a new camera and I'm now at least 50/50 video stills. I'm cautious about buying another DSLR at the moment. I'm going to have to see if Nikon can tweek a bit more AF juice in firmware upgrades to make the Z6 a safe purchase.
Yup, as a wedding photographer, it's always great to have a second ultralight body and lens on your shoulder/hip, with a 35 or 50 prime for those random shots you want. They're not critical enough to the final delivery that the dual card slot issue isn't a deal-breaker, and it's great to have such amazing portability with the EVF that allows you to nail exposure and WB so easily. I did the same thing with the EOS R and the 35/50 RF, it was a delight to have as a 2nd body although that 50 RF is a beast so it's not really much more portable compared to a 5D and a 50 L II. Either way, I'd go with a Z6 (and the Z 35 S) for this job, (wedding candids) for sure. The Z7 is a bit overkill unless you're going to use it for more serious portraits...
Hi Mr. Jared, I just took my brand new D850 just less than one hour ago... My previous camera was a 6.5 years old D800 and the feeling is the same in my hands: reliable... I'll take my time to cross the river to the mirrorless. I'd like something lighter but that's it for now. I keep trying focusing on my images than in technolgy! Keep on posting this kind of videos, I'm following you since long time. Greetings from Italy
As a landscape and travel photographer I switched from my D850 to the Z7, it was a no brainer for me. a lighter and more compact package while still holding superb image quality capabilities, The D850 is a superb camera and i cannot fault it or say a bad thing about it. I just wanted something lighter and the Z7 was it. sure its not going to be for everyone but i have no regrets in my decision. and the 24-70 f/4 is superb!
If you're only carrying around a 20 mm prime I would agree.. But if you're someone who likes the lens compression of 500 mm that little body doesn't seem to feel natural... And if that extra quarter pound is too much for you well.......
If I would work all day long as a professional, I would take a D850 and a Z6. With these to you can shoot EVERYTHING. But I can't choose one, way to hard of a decision.
I'm in the same boat. I'm finally ready to upgrade/go full frame and I just can't decide now that the Z6 is out (and will be receiving firmware upgrades in the very near future that will iron out the kinks).
@@shoopSAUCE I think if you need the resolution take the Z7, if not take the Z6. If you don't shoot any video and need resolution take the D850. I got a D750 cause it's cheap, I don't shoot video, and it's a really good camera.
@@alchemisthere That's what I'm thinking. I'd bypass the 750 since the 7100's sensor is a beast, but I want to go full frame and I've been hearing nothing but good things about the Z6/7. I won't be blowing anything up billboard size, so the Z6 is where I'm currently leaning. I rarely use video but the EVF and the upcoming firmware updates for Eye AF and tweaks to the AF in general have me still leaning towards the Z6 over the 850. My only hesitation is that I do concert photography (as well as ports/engagements) and there is some concern for the AF on the Z6 in quick situations. I wouldn't have that issue on the 750/850. Decisions, decisions.
@@shoopSAUCE true. But I think the EVF for live concerts is important, because it shows the exposure in real time, and with light shows this is important IMO
Fro, I upgraded from the 810 to the 850 because I thought it was a significant improvement. After almost a year I believe it was a significant improvement. I will not upgrade to the Z7 for two reasons. First, it does not appear to be a significant improvement since I do not do run and go video. Second my wife would kill me and I would not get to use it anyway. I agree the D850 is the best DSLR available today. It will be interesting to see what Nikon does with the Z7.1 or 7.5 or whatever in a few years. By the way I keep the SD cards as an offsite backup in addition to spare hard drives, etc. But that is the only reason for 2 card slots for me.
The issue with the dynamic range of the Z7 has nothing to do with being off in your exposure. You can have good exposure but get banding because you decided to crank up the shadow slider, or if you end up doing something like correcting some vignetting (which on some popular lenses according to DXO mark, can have upwards of 3 stops vignette), pair vignette correction with shadow recovery and you can end up with banding rather easily.
As a Nikon shooter, with quality lenses, I just purchased a D850. I'm sure mirrorless have benefits. It doesn't lessen the quality proven in the D850. I also have a D810. The recent D850 + free grip sale was too good to pass up. If my work isn't exceptional with a D850, or D810 for that matter, my future expenditures should be only on education; not on another camera format.
You can buy a nattery grip (non Nikon) and a battery non nikon and a charger non nikon ..for about 200$ canadian..(150$ US) I have been using them for a year now, and there is absolutely no problems with them (about 20000 clicks) ...jou don't have to spend an extra 1000$...hope this helps in your decision
I happen to own both cameras, hey I'm a retired old geezer who just sold his house and moved into a retirement community. One thing that the D850 has going for it over the Z7 is the negative digitizer. I do like the weight of the Z7 for taking out in a hurry though. I only have cheep monolights so I tether one of the lights to the camera and set the rest of my lights to slave, this works for the D850 but not for the Z7. Buy the way B & H is selling the Z7 referb for $2,200.00. I was able to pick up the camera, a Z 50 f1.8 lens, the Z adapter, and a uv filter for less than $3,000.00. I don't believe that the Items were ever sold previously buy the condition they were in. Sometimes a product is run with a part missing so the production line is not shut down for a part that is not readily available.
Good comparison. Love your work :) It'd be such a hard call. As somebody with both a D750 and a Sony A7RIII, I have to say that my biggest beef with these mirrorless bodies is the lack of buttons and tactile feel. The D850 with the backlit buttons and easier function selects would be dreamy. But OTOH the AF coverage and upcoming Eye-AF (even if it just ends up being serviceable), is such a good thing, When I go back to my D750 the narrow coverage area of the AF is my biggest frustration. I keep thinking about upgrading the D750 at some point, but it's still such a great goddamn camera. Truth of the matter is (for me) neither of these really compel me to upgrade just yet. I have the A7RIII and some native sigma primes for portraits and shoots where I prefer the AF capabilities. I'd be inclined to go with the Z7, but I have to say, every time I hold somebodies D850 in my hand, I really get the itch to grab one.
Thank you very much, you helped me decide the choice of camera. The decisive factor for me was the electronic viewfinder and sensor stabilization. It is very important for me to see how the picture will look as a result. I am not a professional photographer, I am a photographer enthusiast. I like to shoot with old manual lenses and it is very important for me to see the final picture. Working segment Z 7 allows you to connect absolutely any lens through the adapter with the ability to focus at infinity
I agree that it can be important for a journalist or event photographer to have a redundancy, but had I have a second card slot in my Z6, it would stay always empty, especially taking into account the price of an XQD card
@@keekeefries6298 exactly..fork up the cash for 240g xqd card and you should be good..lol..been shooting on the same xqd card in a d850 since the day it came out in 2018 and never had a problem yet
haha redundancy , i was a techy diver for 20 years .we carried 2x the eqipment into the depths , we never used the spare gear but it was there in case of a failure , and something iv never had problems with in a camera , its cards that cause problems .. buy the best you can afford . high capacity high speed read and write .. youl be fine
I now have both and I’m very happy about it. I’m selling my D500 since my D850 can stand in for it. Having IBIS is mega important though on the Z7. I have the Sigma 105 f/1.4 and 135 f/1.8 portrait lenses and neither is stabilized, and the Z7’s IBIS makes a ton of difference when hand held. The sharpness I’m getting from those lenses is superlative in average, low, and lower light. This is what sold me on the Z7. It’s truly a fine camera.
I waited to try out the Z7, then I bought the far superior D850. Super discount sale with free grip promo too. Easier to hold and operate (I don’t have lady hands). Check mark should have gone with the D850 for not needing the clunky lens adapter. Also check mark to D850 for being a better size and weight. Who has tiny hands needed to use the Z7? Smaller is not better when adjusting controls frequently. Dual card slot is huge. Better focus tracking, lit buttons, functional grip, better battery life, way faster FPS. No serious Z lenses yet. The Z line is clearly targeting consumers not pros. If you don’t need the features of the D850, and you have really small hands, then the Z line might be for you.
I know this is picky, picky, picky... but when comparing weights of both cameras, the cards, batteries and Z-mount of each should be included. I mean, after all, few shoot without cards and batteries. In my case, with tons of F-mount lenses on hand, no way am I going to buy new Z lenses, so I would have no choice but to buy the Z-mount adapter. As a matter of fact, at only $250 ea., I would probably buy two Z-mounts if I bought the Z7. Here are the weight comparisons: D850 w/2 cards + bat = 2.2 lbs. Z7 w/1 card + bat + Z adapter = 1.8 lbs. A diff of less than 6.4 oz. or the weight of three tennis balls or 6 wooden pencils or three large eggs. Many thanks, Fro, for making up my mind to stay with my D850.... best camera ever made!
I have the d850 and z6, which I am perfectly happy with both. The z6 weight is great, fun and the viewfinder with non flash pics gives you no reason to blow highlights. The d850 however is just amazing, it does everything a photographer needs so damn well. The 850 all around is a lot better than any camera in it's price range, probably the only reason I'm still with Nikon. After using a mirrorless for a while, you can see why people make the switch over to Sony. If Nikon doesn't have a dual card mirrorless pro body within 3 years, I will probably switch as well.
Have the D810 and was weighing the 850 vs Z7, Decided to go with the Z7. Major factor was the edge to edge focus coverage, in my case the best new feature that makes a big difference to me. I bought it with the FTZ Adapter (Was included for free along with Sony 64G XQD Card) Also purchased the grip, love that both batteries are hot swappable and can be changed without removing the grip, very important for VIDEO, plus battery level indicators are on the grip itself. No vertical control buttons on the grip but thats not an issue for me. There was also a rebate when I bought this so my final price for the Z7, FTZ and 64 GB XQD was $2,600.00. I strictly use NIKKOR "F" mount lenses with the FTZ (Already own 15 of NIKONs finest Lenses). In addition I Bought the AF-S NIKKOR 24-85 f/3.5-4.5 ED VR and the AF-S NIKKOR 70-200 2.8E FL ED VR Lens mainly to use with VIDEO but I am thrilled with their results for stills. As for the single card slot, I worked Professionally for over 25 years with a single slot for your roll of film and always made sure that all my eggs were not in one basket. As far as card failure I have only lost images or had card failures with SD format cards, I have been using CF cards for over 20 years without losing any images. I do also record to a Atomos 7" Monitor for about 50% of my VIDEO work.
In my opinion, they did that to keep pros away from the first generation. Always easier to have hobbyists be the guinea pigs because we aren’t as picky. I’d be shocked if gen 2 had 1 slot
i sold off my sony mirrorless bodies to get a d850. found these tiny mirrorless bodies awkward to hold and change settings quickly. the d850 feels infinitely better in my hands. now faced with needing a backup camera, i see no reason to get a z7 over the d850; battery life, buffer, larger more comfortable size (for me) all point to the d850.
Reading these comments 9 months later. All the protests about the Z cameras "I will never switch" are most likely now using the Z6/7 instead of the DSLR that sits collecting dust and losing value quickly. Yes, the D850 is a great camera, I had one and loved it but after getting the Z 7 and 6 I found I was using them a lot more than the DSLRs which did sit on the shelf. I sold the D850 and kept the D800 simply because the used value was lower than how much I valued the images it produced. The Z cameras with the 3 updates and one expected any time that adds ProRes Raw has made the system really good. Only the Panasonic much heavier S1 is as well or better built, or as well sealed. And both lines future-proofed their cameras by using the XQD/CFExpress. They are very satisfying cameras to use and small enough that you can keep it with you all the time. The lenses have been a very pleasant surprise, beating their more expensive top F mounts in corner-to-corner sharpness in every case. I am shedding F mount lenses after seeing the Z mount is the future with excellent performance. The 24-70 2.8 S is surely the best mid zoom on the market for example. I am waiting for the 70-200 2.8 S and will have my kit for commercial and event photography. The Internet gurus who panned the system revealed their lack
IMO if AF speed is not a concern, the Z7 is a great camera. If AF speed (tracking) is important to you, then get the D850. Or if lens selection is important the D850 may be the upper hand because you don't have to use the FTZ. Of course as time goes on, Nikon will release Z equivalents. I think the Z7 may also have the upper hand in video. IBIS is also helpful as well on the Z7. I guess I'd say the biggest determining factor will be what will you be doing and do you need fast AF and AF tracking. If not, the Z7 is a good option for weight and size reasons.
This guy is talking about my very exact dilemma. I love his comparison between the cameras. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Although your first name reminds. me of some very scary people!
for the simple fact that the Z 7 is a 1st gen I wouldn't buy it...I agree that the future is Mirrorless but I'll wait till they sort out most of the kinks...
As a pro doing studio and landscape I have a D800 (and several other bodies) that still do very well. I like the 'concept' of mirrorless, and would buy a Z7 except for the one card slot. If the Z7 can get 23 checkmarks for whatever that was, the D850 should get 23 for two slots. It's like not backing up your hard drive(s). A card WILL fail, and if you have only one card in the camera you WILL lose those images. If you don't make a living with a camera, you may be okay with that. I can't afford to be. D850 for me.
Long time hobby shooter from film days. Love my D750. Looking to purchase one of the Nikon film cameras possibly the Nikon FM2. Too much stuff on these beautiful expensive cameras for me. I like choosing my settings & shoot manual (wildlife), etc. Not a professional but alway happy to see the latest gear. Very good comparison of the D850 & Z7. Thank you for the info.
Z7 all day. Do we know if there's still firmware updates coming for these cameras? I feel like there will likely be more functional improvements coming for the Z7
When hiking/skiing through Norwegian wilderness, every gram counts. I look forward to scale up from the D500 to the Z7. I have accurate information that my DX-lenses performs perfectly on the Z7 in DX mode. I can not wait to shoot in silence. Even the tiniest little click is picked up by the sensitive ears of a wolverine, and they high-tail out of the area. I look even more forward to the new big glass coming for the Z7. Thanks again for a good review, Frodo!
Again, I agree with you. DLSLRs are on the way out. I've been shooting for 20 years. Friends ask me all the time, "What camera should I buy?" I have been telling them mirrorless for a couple of years now. Nikon had me scared for a while, but I think they are moving in the right direction now.
Have the D850 and Z6. I think it’s the best combination for now, as the Z6 is better in every aspect for video than the Z7 (even Nikon states this). In addition, the Z6 has better low light performance, and I’ve also benefitted from shooting stills with it handheld at 1/15 or even 1/8th using IBIS. Most video I shoot is captured on the Ninja V, which is also one “slot” if shooting 10-bit. Never had a problem with cards or disks, but I’m not shooting for clients’ once in a lifetime events. That said, I have the grip for the D850, so for wildlife shooting, I never have to worry about the battery from sunup to sundown or of course, about one card failing. I have all the Z lenses so far, and in my opinion, they rival the best high-end F-mount glass that I have. I’m excited about the Z series going forward. With the announcements at CES including ProRes RAW, Eye AF and CF Express support, I believe that the Z series will become a great system over time.
I have both - and found that the z6 does NOT have low light quality as my D4 or D850. That’s just my opinion. Much more noise in z6 shadows, which has made me decide to use only the D4 and D850 for concerts / plays
i feel like you've kind of missed the point of the Z7, Nikon have explicitly said that the Z7 isn't intended to replace a D850, it's designed to be used alongside a D850 and the Z6 to be use alongside something like a D5 of D750, that's not to say that they're bad cameras on their own but i don't think there really needs to be a comparison about which one is better because they're meant to compliment each other
I’m a sports photographer so I’m saving up for the D850 and watching this video definitely made me more for sure that I want it vs before I watched any videos about it lol.
I shoot mainly photographs and value battery life more, so I think the D850 is a better choice for my needs. But, yeah it is quite a difficult decision to make without testing and comparing both over a period of time. The Z7 is appealing nonetheless.
Nikon is going to add their one of the best feature in terms of the AUTO FOCUS, the Eye Af and that is selectable person wise, in near future in their Z series cameras.
Thanks for informative video. I feel that Z7 is a bit immature so far and with a limited selection of lenses and a hopeless adapter, I now replace my old D800 with a D850. Then we'll see about a 2-3 years if I'm ready for the mirrorless
I know this is an old video but it still helps a lot in making a big decision like this. One thing not mentioned is how to shift from normal still shots to HDR shots. Apparently, this process is buried in the menu system of the Z7, and in the 850 it's only a button push on the camera body. That's a deal-breaker for me and a big check mark for the 850. Thanks and cheers!
I'm happy that I was finally able to get the Nikon D850 through, none other than, Allen's Camera. My current camera, the Nikon D810 is now my secondary and I finally have an awesome primary camera. Thanks Jared for all the great advice.
I currently shoot a D850, D810 and D500, and to me nothing can beat this trinity of bodies for still photography. With that being said, I have been eyeing the Z6 as my gateway to incorpoarte more comprehensive video capabilities into my tool kit. I simply can't justify a Z7 when my D850 is far superior body for my focus of still photography.
I went shopping for a DSLR, and did the reviews and such, and kept coming back to the D850. Unfortunately, it's too expensive for me, even used they want 1500.00. I'll wait a month or two and have enough. My question to you is, will the D850 disappoint with the video? Video is important to me, I want to podcast and such. Is the Z6 a better route for me? VERY GOOD picture quality is also important to me, can the Z6 keep up with the D850? 46MP vs 25MP What will I give up? I heard someone saying the D850 sensor could handle billboard-sized images. I have no plans on putting anything on a billboard, can the 25MP take just as amazing 11 X 14-sized pictures as the 46MP? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
@@tomgoffnett5624 The main difference in video will be the autofocus, which is substantially different. If you are planning to manual focus a podcast you should be happy with either. If you are vlogging or moving around a lot or doing dynamic scenes the Z6 is a clear win. As for the resolution, it is unlikely you will notice the difference unless you are pixel peeping. Certainly not at 11x14 even when held close, maybe starting at 18x24 or 24x36 and only then if you're really examining up close. Unless you have a specific need for the pixels (I shoot a lot of mountains and want to resolve individual trees for example, I also crop a lot) I wouldn't hyper-optimize for them. You can easily print billboards at 25MP also, there are tons of billboards out there with professional photography that can be printed off 16MP files or less even.
@@tomgoffnett5624 no problem, like I said I do want to make a video to teach more people how to do this easily and will do so in the next month or two I'm just very backed up. I think there's some sort of impression amongst photographers that Fuji on-camera processing is black magic, and I think a lot of marketing departments love continuing that meme. but really, there is no magic in photography, just digital transformations of data, and I think people understanding how to achieve the same thing in as many ways on as many cameras as possible will be super cool for experimentation.
Spot on review. It sure does come down to one's style of shooting. This D850 dude, having diverted to supplemental Sony's at the start of the mirrorless era, is not going to the Z7. I still regard the mirrorless movement as motivated as much by marketing (fire up sales) as any technical or artistic advantage. BTW, your Wind Tunnel test was astounding. If the government wasn't shut down, NASA could use that talent of yours.
The big issue for me with the Z6/Z7 is that the autofocus for action and wildlife photography is nothing short of diabolical and renders it useless whereas the autofocus on the D850/D500/D5 is excellent. As a landscape or studio camera the Z6/Z7 is fine and the ability to see exposure compensation in the viewfinder is great but that is all lost if you can’t get the subject in focus to start with. Hopefully this is something Nikon will be able address in a firmware update.
Are we not entertained? The D5 has less MP, it’s a more specialized sports camera like the 1DX. I said that the D850 is a great all rounder because has a lot of MP useful for portraits, landscape, but also wildlife since it comes with a focusing system that can be used for that, and a high frame rate too, even without the overpriced grip. It is built like a tank, just like a D5, but it’s a little more portable than that (very slightly though). The only advantages of the Z7 is the video features, but in that regard the Z6 is even better, and the EVF
D850 has some advantages over the Z7 for sure. Namely dual card slots, and better tracking AF. Z7 has clear advantages over the D850 as well though. Video autofocus and IBIS. I don't see it mentioned much for how good it is for stills, but having IBIS is a huge advantage to have, especially considering so much of the best F-Mount glass is unstabilized. D850 is a phenomenal option, obviously, but so is the Z7. And Z7 has Eye AF incoming also.
20:39.... alright Jared! Goosebumps...!!!! I've owned the D850 since 2017 and it never NEVER let me down...!!! I don't find any reason why there's should be (if), a replacement of this camera. There's nothing else feasible to add. I think the future now belongs yo the Mirrorless technology and anything else would be just waste of time if not money as well!
@TheBorgCollective I never said it had it now. I'm just informing you what was announced at CES and it seemed you didn't know that info. I'm not the OP of this post and it seems like you're NOW being nit picky about words.
One of your very best videos JP. As a D850 owner the camera feels perfect in my hands and performs like a dream. Yes there are features on the Z7 l lust after but Nikon mirrorless is still in its infancy so l will sit on the sidelines for now. One point to note the D850 can be purchased significantly cheaper than the Z7 with retail discounting and Nikon rebates. I got mine for the equivalent of US $2,780 including sales tax.
This was a great review, I went through this basic thought process in October. For context, I have a D810, and a couple of Panasonic mirrorless cameras for video. Because of changes to my typical lighting set-up, the AF on the D810 was struggling, so I hoped the improved low-light AF of the D850 could help. The Z7 was available, so it made sense to consider that too. The low light AF seemed better with the D850, I am most comfortable using a vertical grip, and a general preference of an OVF made me decide that I'd get the D850, probably the last DSLR I will purchase. Maybe in 2-4 years I'll get the Z8?
@@Stop-All-War Without the pandemic and the associated supply chain issues, the Z8 could have easily been released in 2022, 2-4 years after I wrote the comment.
If you’re starting to watch this video and wondering whether to sit through it.. DO.. it’s a fair and really good look and discussion about both cameras from someone who’s actually used them a lot in REAL world situations on multiple occasions
17:40 do you know real-time that your card failed or do you realize when you go to get the files off the card? all the bodies I've owned have only had 1 card.
I already own the D850 and love it. Here's my conundrum. I mainly shoot nature, wildlife, and macro. I'm not a pro but an avid enthusiast. I recently purchased the 500PF to replace the 200-500 and also own the 300PF. I'd like to mount the 500PF on the D850 and get a second body to carry with the 300PF mounted to it in case the wildlife is too close for the 500PF. Should I get another D850 or the Z6 or Z7? Which body would be the best camera body for nature, wildlife, macro for the enthusiast?
Have the Z6 and I believe there are enough pluses in additional to a substantial price savings to make the choice the Z6. It is a fabulous camera that has most of the Z7 features and a few that are superior to the Z7. In my opinion in the competition between the D850 and the Z7, the winner is the Z6!!!
my problem with EVF has been vertigo I get from the display lag. I think that is the reason a lot of old-timer photographers don't like EVF. It's why I have stayed away from mirrorless cameras. -2000 checkmarks for any mirrorless camera till I find one that doesn't give me vertigo.
They both have VR (vibration reduction), the Z just does a better job of it (5 elements versus 3). In my opinion, a professional should only choose the 850 because of the dual memory cards.
Jared, you really helped me decide between the two. It came down to autofocus, image stabilization and being able to see exposure changes through the electronic viewfinder...very cool. Weight also matters unless I am carrying a large telephoto lens obviously. I also like the larger 55mm opening versus the size of the old (1959)F mount....light has to bend less now creating less potential for distortion out towards the edges. Right now the selection of Z lenses are pretty limited but the Z to F mount adapter is being given away for free by Nikon with the purchase of a Z body. As of early November 2019, the prices of the body are only about $100 apart in the $2700- $2800 price range, which is another reason I am choosing the Z7. The only gripe I have about the Z7 is that there is only one storage cartridge....that is all. This means that professionals don't want to use this camera and risk not getting paid and ruining their reputations. The extra battery holder on the body is now available. There is also a non-Nikon dual battery charger available for much less on Amazon. I hear it is safer to charge a lithium-ion battery outside of the camera....makes sense since they can catch fire. Again, thanks for the excellent review. You do a great job with all of your videos.
The D850 is the BEST DSLR in history. The Z7 is the first in the future mirrorless. I have the D850. Why go with a prototype? I will most probably choose the next Nikon Mirrorless in a year or so. With all the backlash, it will most likely have Eye-AF and Dual Card Slots and maybe some new surprises like a 50+ Megapixel Sensor. For a Backup now to my D850, I am considering a Z6 as it has the same video capability of the Z7, but $1200.00 cheaper. Anyway, great time to be alive in Photography!
Common Sense A year or so 😂. They’re not Sony.
The z6 and z7 are getting eye af in a future update, which is pretty rad! I'm proud that Nikon is listening to the critiques of these cameras.
I cannot disagree. If I had a D850 I can't imagine side-grading to a Z7 unless you just really really need the AF coverage. Both look like great cameras though.
I'm loving my new Z 6 to compliment my lovely pair of D500s.
better video capability as the Z7! ;-)
I have over hundred lenses , and I have tried canon , Sony . The D 850 is THE Camera. It will take a lot to get me to change . D850’s is the best
I would go with the Z7. I tried it at my local shop and loved it. Felt good in my hands.
4 awesome questions at 22:17 that can help someone decide on the Z7 or D850 too!
1) Do you shoot Video?
2) Do you want something smaller and lighter?
3) Can you live with one card slot?
4) Can you live without vertical grip?
If you answered "yes" to all of the questions above, heck yeah, jump on the Z7! Both cameras are phenomenal!
While I love my new Z 6 the body and controls still don't equate to my D500s or a D850. I can operate my D500s without looking at it but with the Z 6 I need to look at the menus more often. Not a huge deal but something I've noticed already. This consideration only applies to paid/professional situations such as live events/weddings and sports/wildlife where you need fast direct access to controls. For casual photography then the Z 6 and Z 7 are perfect. I really got my Z 6 for video and so far.. WOW!
1) Nope 2) Nope. 3) Nope 4) Nope It's the D850 by a longshot.
The D850 is light years ahead in autofocus than the z6.
I just sold my Z7ll mirrorless is just marketing hype, i'll keep the D850 it's fantastic! i could go back to a D700 and take amazing pictures.
I went with both. I had the D850...great stills camera...but after spending a week with a loaner Z7 I thought about it for a couple months and in a weaker moment, bought it at a branch of a local chain. They threw in a 64gig XQD and 3 extended warranty.
For raw stills, they are indistinguishable, both excellent. But for JPG stills, the Z7 has the edge because of the newer Expeed 6 processor.
I was not concerned about the single slot because during the loaner week I found the new version of their wireless connectivity is lightyears ahead of any other camera I have seen including the D850. Over the two months with it and several events, I still have not removed the XQD once. All the files go really fast to my editing computer and that has been fast and flawless. That is one of the best features, reliable wireless backup that is seamless and 14 bit raw files arriving on the editing computer in just over 1 second after each shot is made. The range is good.
The Z7 was intended to be a travel and second camera for shoots with the D850 as the primary but the more I use the Z7 the more it gets priority. I am getting more interesting personal shots because it is small enough to be with me all the time.
One of the great benefits of the Z line is that new mount. I know some reviewers say the new low cost small 1.8 primes feel cheap but they are all metal, light and have a noticeably better corner to corner sharpness and contrast wide open and than my top F mount lenses that cost much more and are bulkier. They have very impressive performance. for wide open sharpness, they are the best lenses at their FL available. That bodes well for a large number of primes and faster zooms scheduled to be released in the coming months.
Since I do a lot of portraits, I am pretty picky about selecting focus plane so don't care about eye AF but apparently, a lot of people what the camera to decide so there is good news for them, a new firmware update adds 3 big news features 1 Eye AF, 2; 12bit RAW video out the HDMI port which is a game changer for serious videographers who really need top quality images with 10,000 times the fine step of illuminance than the other cameras out with far courser steps. The 3rd feature is an addition of CFExpress card support that should make the camera into an infinite buffer with 5-8 times the buffer clearing speed. The cards announced to have 8 pipes so it is possible to write copies to more than 1 pipe for in-card backup. There are hints of additional features added in later firmware updates.
I like grips, and was not happy to hear the battery grip might not have controls. Nikon only says it has 2 battery slots. But playing with the phone app for the camera and finding it is possible to control everything on the camera with BlueTooth, any 3rd party or Nikon can add any number of control to a grip. Within a month or two expect to see 3rd party grips that control at least shutter, AF-on and joystick AF point selector.
For those complaining about not having a forward facing screen for video selfies, they seem to lack imagination. Anyone serious about video will have a larger monitor recorder like the Ninja 5 but for the rest, they can use their phone as a monitor.
Now I am thinking of selling my D800 because it is gathering dust on the shelf and use that towards a Z6 as a personal walking around camera and second camera for lightweight shoots supporting the Z7. A pro build quality better than the competition, weather sealed, Z mount camera for $1996 is a bargain. For video it has no competition and stills its a very good camera.
@Stan SPb: Wow, that's really a great review, very informative. I have the D850, and I'm happy with it, but I like hearing about what people think of the Z7. Thanks so much for sharing all of this with us, Stan.
Not planning to by either of those cameras but I've got to give u kudos for this comment.
Hello Stan SPb. If you allow me, I'll ask you a question as you are the owner of both of the cameras that i'm having a hard time choosing between. You wrote that the wireless connection on the Z7 is better than the D850. Since May there has been an update for the D850 so it's possible to connect wireless directly to a pc. Can you tell me if with this update the D850 is as easy to connect as the Z7? Best regards
Thanks for this honest, in depth review.
I went with d850 cuz some wise man passing by told that it's unwise to drop 3+ grands on v1 of a new product. I love my shiny new toy.
Thank you for actually doing a real review and comparison of these cameras. Personally I love the 2 card slots, larger size body, grip, and the ability to use all my lenses without an adapter. If I did more video work I would look into the Z7 but because I do mainly product lifestyle photography the 850 gets my vote!
I have always been a Nikon shooter going all the way back to the Nikon F2 (film camera). I have both the D850 and the new Z7, and I love them both. But I use these two cameras differently. Hands down, the D850 is the best DSLR on the market today, and I tend to use this camera whenever I’m shooting landscapes from a tripod.
The Z7, on the other hand, is my go-to camera whenever I want to walk around shooting handheld due to the weight and the amazing IBIS. And the beauty of the Z7 is that you don’t sacrifice image quality because of the great sensor with exactly the same resolution as the D850.
That being said, I have been using the Z7 for landscape work recently as well, and I’m really impressed with the quality of the images. The “kit” 24-70mm f/4 lens is super sharp from edge to edge.
Still, I wouldn’t sell my D850. I love both cameras!
What about low-light shooting? Have a preference. I'm thinking more for concerts.
I'm thinking about buying either a Z7 or a D850 soon and both me and my brother do a lot of Macro photography, hiking, and some low light photography. I was curious which one you think might be better for that type of stuff. I'm so torn between the two. Any insight is appreciated. Thank you. Hope you are well.
@@EdmondOliverLives Hello Oliver, personally, having owned both the D850 and Z7, and now the Z7 II as well, I would recommend getting the Z7 II. It really ticks all of the boxes for me. I actually owned both the D850 and Z7 at the same time, but found that once your start using the EVF, it’s very hard to go back to an optical viewfinder, so I sold my D850 and bought a second Z7. Unfortunately, a macro lens for the Z-series cameras has not yet been released, and I found that the F-mount version from Nikon didn’t work very well with the FTZ adapter. It kept hunting for focus, and the internal image stabilization of the lens was very noisy. I actually sold that lens. I only have one F-mount lens remaining: the 200-500mm f/5.6. The new Z-mount lenses are the best I’ve ever used in all my years as a photographer. I hope this information is helpful. You can always DM me on my Instagram page: @guygabrielphotography if you’d like to chat further.
I bought the D850 due to its great stills reviews, but then got in to video. Since I had all the Nikon glass, I decided to purchase the Z7 to focus on video. I use both, but exclusively use the Z7 for video. Thanks Jared - great and fair review.
Sold my d850 and Bought the z7. ITs ok but too many little annoying things for me: 1) My tripod plate had to be removed when i switched lenses and FTZ adapter..2)24-70 had alot of chromatic aberration 3) Not many lenses to chose from yet 4) The wired remote plug kept slipping out when shooting vertical 5) Cant be converted to IR(horizontal banding) 6) Not a big weight difference when using FTZ and lens 7) One card slot(not a deal breaker) 8) battery life was really short 9) My EVF kept shutting off to conserve batter power. In the end, I Sold my z7 and repurchased a used d850.
Jon Glaser thats good to know
That's makes my decision easier
@Johnny Toner Nope,,not worth it,,850 is a beast......
no way,,not until they have more lenses available and horizontal banding when converted to IR @Johnny Toner
I finally got my d850 today 😊
I sold my Nikon Z7 and bought a D850
Bro why is the Nikon d850 cost more then the Nikon z7??
I am considering doing that now. The autofocus is atrocious. Misses 30-40% of the time.
@@AmateurPhotographer12all used camera prices are super jacked up for nothing
D850 is a magic camera
The best in the world
have you tried a D4 or D5 ?
@@jixxxxer17 Had the D5 and still prefer the 850,.. the D5 is just way to heavy and I rather have the extra resolution and cropability of the 850 over the extra f stops of the D5.
@@paulgrimard7863 Excellent points thanks for sharing , Peace !
@@jixxxxer17 Omg I don't miss the weight of a full body at all. Yes the d850 is the best camera in it's price range, no doubt I love mine. I do love my z6 for everyday, it's so nimble.
@@williammorales8204 thanks, I"m guessing the D850 has a dual card slot ?
I have the D850 and that is where I'm staying. It's a great camera and I plan to stick with it for a long while. I'll wait for the Z9!
if it looks like a d850.
@Jack Warner I second that
Have you gotten your Z9 yet
what i ahould buy if i just take fashion photo and wedding photos just photos , because vdo i have panasonic already ?
just about to buy my first full frame, regardless of other systems i will be getting a D850.
Right off the bat I'd say the D850, especially since I just spent a year saving up to buy one.
lmfao, same here
yeah none of that self importance photographic veganism for me m8 .. the full fat d850 with grip aand trillogy of heavy humping 2.8 glass for me buddy
I remember saving up for my first SLR - a Canon TX! That was 45 years ago. Good for you! Now, when I bought my first D850 I did have to unload my D810. But then I found myself buying another D850! I hate switching lenses. I don't think you'll have wasted your time saving up!
I purchase the D850 because I like to travel with a real weapon! If I hit a creep with a Z7 it would break!
I use a D800 and the Z. My commercial work includes project photos for For interior designers, where I am shooting on a tripod. The Z is fantastic for that! I can see the exposure, real time, on the back of the camera. As lighting is a key element of the design, I use available light with the occasional reflector. Again, the preview is very helpful. I also shot for a local fox hunt group and some motorsports photography. The Z sucks for things that are fast moving. The DSLR is always there and ready, while you have to wait for the Z to wake up. I suspect there's a battery eating option to keep it on all the time, but the DSLR wins, hands down, for shooting things that move and change rapidly. Get both!
Never gonna buy such expensive camera but I watch anyway because I like Jared's videos haha
I agree with you 100% and if I were in the market for a 45mp camera then at this moment in time I would go with the D850 but only because of the grip. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the firmware updates fix the eye af because this might be a game changer for me. Exciting times ahead!
Thank you Jared, these videos really help with the decision making process. I use a Nikon d7200 and have been wanting to upgrade to a full frame. I understand mirrorless is the next generation in technology. I thought the Z7 would be a great transition into that as I can use my current lenses and slowly move into the z lenses. Yet, I'm an enthusiast photographer who enjoys birds and macro. Therefore, this video helped very much with my decision. Since I'm not a professional, I can still get a great camera (D850) and probably find one used and not break the bank.
I started in photography BEFORE SLR cameras. Twin lens and range finder cameras were almost silent in use, were small and light weight. At 71 years of age I feel that photography has come full circle for me. I'm back where I started, no floppy mirror, light weight and silent shutter release...again.
LMAO! The first SLR cameras were developed in the mid to late 1800's
For me it is really hard to pick.
But personally for my style of photography the z7 wins and that is only because I can use all my vintage glass on it and the IBIS, and I shoot mostly manual focus lenses.
But I would not say no to a d850, honestly the battery life on the d850 is a huge plus in my book so I won't have to pack as many batteries, I've been drooling over it for ages, I just don't have the money to buy it, and my d810 still works great.
Wedding Photographer = Stick with the tried and true 850 until all of the cons of the Z fall way through evolution. OR - pick up a Z as a back up to get used to with the 850 as a primary.
Yes your right - I have 2 D750 cameras they need to be relegated to B cams (160000 clicks) 4 years old. My problem is I do need to get a new camera and I'm now at least 50/50 video stills. I'm cautious about buying another DSLR at the moment. I'm going to have to see if Nikon can tweek a bit more AF juice in firmware upgrades to make the Z6 a safe purchase.
Wedding Photographer = wait for D760.
Agree 100%
@@BermyBwoy if it ever arrives 😁
Yup, as a wedding photographer, it's always great to have a second ultralight body and lens on your shoulder/hip, with a 35 or 50 prime for those random shots you want. They're not critical enough to the final delivery that the dual card slot issue isn't a deal-breaker, and it's great to have such amazing portability with the EVF that allows you to nail exposure and WB so easily. I did the same thing with the EOS R and the 35/50 RF, it was a delight to have as a 2nd body although that 50 RF is a beast so it's not really much more portable compared to a 5D and a 50 L II.
Either way, I'd go with a Z6 (and the Z 35 S) for this job, (wedding candids) for sure. The Z7 is a bit overkill unless you're going to use it for more serious portraits...
Hi Mr. Jared, I just took my brand new D850 just less than one hour ago... My previous camera was a 6.5 years old D800 and the feeling is the same in my hands: reliable... I'll take my time to cross the river to the mirrorless. I'd like something lighter but that's it for now. I keep trying focusing on my images than in technolgy! Keep on posting this kind of videos, I'm following you since long time. Greetings from Italy
As a landscape and travel photographer I switched from my D850 to the Z7, it was a no brainer for me. a lighter and more compact package while still holding superb image quality capabilities, The D850 is a superb camera and i cannot fault it or say a bad thing about it. I just wanted something lighter and the Z7 was it. sure its not going to be for everyone but i have no regrets in my decision.
and the 24-70 f/4 is superb!
If you're only carrying around a 20 mm prime I would agree.. But if you're someone who likes the lens compression of 500 mm that little body doesn't seem to feel natural... And if that extra quarter pound is too much for you well.......
You will miss it and want it back.
Different strokes for different blokes I guess. I’d never shoot with a dslr again.
If I would work all day long as a professional, I would take a D850 and a Z6. With these to you can shoot EVERYTHING.
But I can't choose one, way to hard of a decision.
a1ch3mist37 sumo my 850 love my z7 killer
I'm in the same boat. I'm finally ready to upgrade/go full frame and I just can't decide now that the Z6 is out (and will be receiving firmware upgrades in the very near future that will iron out the kinks).
@@shoopSAUCE I think if you need the resolution take the Z7, if not take the Z6.
If you don't shoot any video and need resolution take the D850.
I got a D750 cause it's cheap, I don't shoot video, and it's a really good camera.
@@alchemisthere That's what I'm thinking. I'd bypass the 750 since the 7100's sensor is a beast, but I want to go full frame and I've been hearing nothing but good things about the Z6/7. I won't be blowing anything up billboard size, so the Z6 is where I'm currently leaning. I rarely use video but the EVF and the upcoming firmware updates for Eye AF and tweaks to the AF in general have me still leaning towards the Z6 over the 850. My only hesitation is that I do concert photography (as well as ports/engagements) and there is some concern for the AF on the Z6 in quick situations. I wouldn't have that issue on the 750/850. Decisions, decisions.
@@shoopSAUCE true. But I think the EVF for live concerts is important, because it shows the exposure in real time, and with light shows this is important IMO
Fro, I upgraded from the 810 to the 850 because I thought it was a significant improvement. After almost a year I believe it was a significant improvement. I will not upgrade to the Z7 for two reasons. First, it does not appear to be a significant improvement since I do not do run and go video. Second my wife would kill me and I would not get to use it anyway. I agree the D850 is the best DSLR available today. It will be interesting to see what Nikon does with the Z7.1 or 7.5 or whatever in a few years. By the way I keep the SD cards as an offsite backup in addition to spare hard drives, etc. But that is the only reason for 2 card slots for me.
I have six Nikon D lenses. The Z6 and Z7 cannot auto focus with D lenses. Right now, the D850 wins hands down.
I inclined for the 850. Also I believe that is stronger and better for Landscape Photography.
Thank you for your video.
The issue with the dynamic range of the Z7 has nothing to do with being off in your exposure. You can have good exposure but get banding because you decided to crank up the shadow slider, or if you end up doing something like correcting some vignetting (which on some popular lenses according to DXO mark, can have upwards of 3 stops vignette), pair vignette correction with shadow recovery and you can end up with banding rather easily.
A negative for the cost of 850 battery grip- yet no negative for the cost of ETZ mount adapter...?
I was upgrading from d800. Here in the uk Nikon we’re giving us an extra 450 quid when part ex to a D850. I got one and love it.
As a Nikon shooter, with quality lenses, I just purchased a D850. I'm sure mirrorless have benefits. It doesn't lessen the quality proven in the D850. I also have a D810. The recent D850 + free grip sale was too good to pass up. If my work isn't exceptional with a D850, or D810 for that matter, my future expenditures should be only on education; not on another camera format.
Saving up to purchase the D850 by the end of the year! Thank you for showing the exact listings for the grip and battery.
You can buy a nattery grip (non Nikon) and a battery non nikon and a charger non nikon ..for about 200$ canadian..(150$ US) I have been using them for a year now, and there is absolutely no problems with them (about 20000 clicks) ...jou don't have to spend an extra 1000$...hope this helps in your decision
might as well wait for the z7 mark ii lol
I happen to own both cameras, hey I'm a retired old geezer who just sold his house and moved into a retirement community. One thing that the D850 has going for it over the Z7 is the negative digitizer. I do like the weight of the Z7 for taking out in a hurry though. I only have cheep monolights so I tether one of the lights to the camera and set the rest of my lights to slave, this works for the D850 but not for the Z7. Buy the way B & H is selling the Z7 referb for $2,200.00. I was able to pick up the camera, a Z 50 f1.8 lens, the Z adapter, and a uv filter for less than $3,000.00. I don't believe that the Items were ever sold previously buy the condition they were in. Sometimes a product is run with a part missing so the production line is not shut down for a part that is not readily available.
Good comparison. Love your work :)
It'd be such a hard call. As somebody with both a D750 and a Sony A7RIII, I have to say that my biggest beef with these mirrorless bodies is the lack of buttons and tactile feel. The D850 with the backlit buttons and easier function selects would be dreamy. But OTOH the AF coverage and upcoming Eye-AF (even if it just ends up being serviceable), is such a good thing, When I go back to my D750 the narrow coverage area of the AF is my biggest frustration.
I keep thinking about upgrading the D750 at some point, but it's still such a great goddamn camera. Truth of the matter is (for me) neither of these really compel me to upgrade just yet. I have the A7RIII and some native sigma primes for portraits and shoots where I prefer the AF capabilities. I'd be inclined to go with the Z7, but I have to say, every time I hold somebodies D850 in my hand, I really get the itch to grab one.
Thank you very much, you helped me decide the choice of camera. The decisive factor for me was the electronic viewfinder and sensor stabilization. It is very important for me to see how the picture will look as a result. I am not a professional photographer, I am a photographer enthusiast. I like to shoot with old manual lenses and it is very important for me to see the final picture. Working segment Z 7 allows you to connect absolutely any lens through the adapter with the ability to focus at infinity
2 cards is a professional worry. If you knw what's at stake, you never go without the redundancy.
I agree that it can be important for a journalist or event photographer to have a redundancy, but had I have a second card slot in my Z6, it would stay always empty, especially taking into account the price of an XQD card
Ummmm....pack a few extra cards in your bag? How often do these cards really go bad?
Once is more than enough.
@@keekeefries6298 exactly..fork up the cash for 240g xqd card and you should be good..lol..been shooting on the same xqd card in a d850 since the day it came out in 2018 and never had a problem yet
haha redundancy , i was a techy diver for 20 years .we carried 2x the eqipment into the depths , we never used the spare gear but it was there in case of a failure , and something iv never had problems with in a camera , its cards that cause problems .. buy the best you can afford . high capacity high speed read and write .. youl be fine
I now have both and I’m very happy about it. I’m selling my D500 since my D850 can stand in for it. Having IBIS is mega important though on the Z7. I have the Sigma 105 f/1.4 and 135 f/1.8 portrait lenses and neither is stabilized, and the Z7’s IBIS makes a ton of difference when hand held. The sharpness I’m getting from those lenses is superlative in average, low, and lower light. This is what sold me on the Z7. It’s truly a fine camera.
You keep cranking out great videos Jared, I've learnt so much from watching you these last few weeks, loving it!
I waited to try out the Z7, then I bought the far superior D850. Super discount sale with free grip promo too.
Easier to hold and operate (I don’t have lady hands). Check mark should have gone with the D850 for not needing the clunky lens adapter.
Also check mark to D850 for being a better size and weight. Who has tiny hands needed to use the Z7? Smaller is not better when adjusting controls frequently.
Dual card slot is huge. Better focus tracking, lit buttons, functional grip, better battery life, way faster FPS. No serious Z lenses yet. The Z line is clearly targeting consumers not pros.
If you don’t need the features of the D850, and you have really small hands, then the Z line might be for you.
I will stay with my d850 for what I do landscape photography
I know this is picky, picky, picky... but when comparing weights of both cameras, the cards, batteries and Z-mount of each should be included. I mean, after all, few shoot without cards and batteries. In my case, with tons of F-mount lenses on hand, no way am I going to buy new Z lenses, so I would have no choice but to buy the Z-mount adapter. As a matter of fact, at only $250 ea., I would probably buy two Z-mounts if I bought the Z7. Here are the weight comparisons: D850 w/2 cards + bat = 2.2 lbs. Z7 w/1 card + bat + Z adapter = 1.8 lbs. A diff of less than 6.4 oz. or the weight of three tennis balls or 6 wooden pencils or three large eggs. Many thanks, Fro, for making up my mind to stay with my D850.... best camera ever made!
I have the d850 and z6, which I am perfectly happy with both. The z6 weight is great, fun and the viewfinder with non flash pics gives you no reason to blow highlights. The d850 however is just amazing, it does everything a photographer needs so damn well. The 850 all around is a lot better than any camera in it's price range, probably the only reason I'm still with Nikon. After using a mirrorless for a while, you can see why people make the switch over to Sony. If Nikon doesn't have a dual card mirrorless pro body within 3 years, I will probably switch as well.
Same here. d850 and z6. Love them both.
Have the D810 and was weighing the 850 vs Z7, Decided to go with the Z7. Major factor was the edge to edge focus coverage, in my case the best new feature that makes a big difference to me. I bought it with the FTZ Adapter (Was included for free along with Sony 64G XQD Card) Also purchased the grip, love that both batteries are hot swappable and can be changed without removing the grip, very important for VIDEO, plus battery level indicators are on the grip itself. No vertical control buttons on the grip but thats not an issue for me. There was also a rebate when I bought this so my final price for the Z7, FTZ and 64 GB XQD was $2,600.00. I strictly use NIKKOR "F" mount lenses with the FTZ (Already own 15 of NIKONs finest Lenses). In addition I Bought the AF-S NIKKOR 24-85 f/3.5-4.5 ED VR and the AF-S NIKKOR 70-200 2.8E FL ED VR Lens mainly to use with VIDEO but I am thrilled with their results for stills. As for the single card slot, I worked Professionally for over 25 years with a single slot for your roll of film and always made sure that all my eggs were not in one basket. As far as card failure I have only lost images or had card failures with SD format cards, I have been using CF cards for over 20 years without losing any images. I do also record to a Atomos 7" Monitor for about 50% of my VIDEO work.
All about the Z7 looking to the future.. If only a second card slot..
the Z8 will kick serious ass
In my opinion, they did that to keep pros away from the first generation. Always easier to have hobbyists be the guinea pigs because we aren’t as picky. I’d be shocked if gen 2 had 1 slot
Maybe if you are just another amateur.
i sold off my sony mirrorless bodies to get a d850. found these tiny mirrorless bodies awkward to hold and change settings quickly. the d850 feels infinitely better in my hands. now faced with needing a backup camera, i see no reason to get a z7 over the d850; battery life, buffer, larger more comfortable size (for me) all point to the d850.
Reading these comments 9 months later. All the protests about the Z cameras "I will never switch" are most likely now using the Z6/7 instead of the DSLR that sits collecting dust and losing value quickly. Yes, the D850 is a great camera, I had one and loved it but after getting the Z 7 and 6 I found I was using them a lot more than the DSLRs which did sit on the shelf. I sold the D850 and kept the D800 simply because the used value was lower than how much I valued the images it produced. The Z cameras with the 3 updates and one expected any time that adds ProRes Raw has made the system really good. Only the Panasonic much heavier S1 is as well or better built, or as well sealed. And both lines future-proofed their cameras by using the XQD/CFExpress. They are very satisfying cameras to use and small enough that you can keep it with you all the time. The lenses have been a very pleasant surprise, beating their more expensive top F mounts in corner-to-corner sharpness in every case. I am shedding F mount lenses after seeing the Z mount is the future with excellent performance. The 24-70 2.8 S is surely the best mid zoom on the market for example. I am waiting for the 70-200 2.8 S and will have my kit for commercial and event photography. The Internet gurus who panned the system revealed their lack
nice video. I want a D850 because battery problem Z7, and I like the view through the pentaprism.
My next camera is looking like the D850. Still not interested in mirrorless at that price point.
IMO if AF speed is not a concern, the Z7 is a great camera. If AF speed (tracking) is important to you, then get the D850. Or if lens selection is important the D850 may be the upper hand because you don't have to use the FTZ. Of course as time goes on, Nikon will release Z equivalents. I think the Z7 may also have the upper hand in video. IBIS is also helpful as well on the Z7. I guess I'd say the biggest determining factor will be what will you be doing and do you need fast AF and AF tracking. If not, the Z7 is a good option for weight and size reasons.
This guy is talking about my very exact dilemma. I love his comparison between the cameras. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Although your first name reminds. me of some very scary people!
for the simple fact that the Z 7 is a 1st gen I wouldn't buy it...I agree that the future is Mirrorless but I'll wait till they sort out most of the kinks...
It's like a Nikon D1. Junk.
And just barely two years later the Z7 II comes out - and significantly better. If I had purchased a Z7 I would be pissed.
D850, D850, D850,.... If you're going mirrorless go Fuji film medium format don't waste your money on anything else...
As a pro doing studio and landscape I have a D800 (and several other bodies) that still do very well. I like the 'concept' of mirrorless, and would buy a Z7 except for the one card slot. If the Z7 can get 23 checkmarks for whatever that was, the D850 should get 23 for two slots. It's like not backing up your hard drive(s). A card WILL fail, and if you have only one card in the camera you WILL lose those images. If you don't make a living with a camera, you may be okay with that. I can't afford to be. D850 for me.
No, give the full checkmark to the d850 for having NO banding, regardless how far off exposure is!
Long time hobby shooter from film days. Love my D750. Looking to purchase one of the Nikon film cameras possibly the Nikon FM2. Too much stuff on these beautiful expensive cameras for me. I like choosing my settings & shoot manual (wildlife), etc. Not a professional but alway happy to see the latest gear. Very good comparison of the D850 & Z7. Thank you for the info.
Z7 all day. Do we know if there's still firmware updates coming for these cameras? I feel like there will likely be more functional improvements coming for the Z7
Getting ready to pull the trigger on an D850 and then I watched your video. Will still get the 850. Thanks!
The Nikon F mount has not changed in 60 years because Nikon got it PERFECT in the first place. I hope they never change it.
That's true but at the same time the new z has advantage and disadvantage
When hiking/skiing through Norwegian wilderness, every gram counts. I look forward to scale up from the D500 to the Z7. I have accurate information that my DX-lenses performs perfectly on the Z7 in DX mode. I can not wait to shoot in silence. Even the tiniest little click is picked up by the sensitive ears of a wolverine, and they high-tail out of the area. I look even more forward to the new big glass coming for the Z7. Thanks again for a good review, Frodo!
Finally, I’ve been waiting for this
Again, I agree with you. DLSLRs are on the way out. I've been shooting for 20 years. Friends ask me all the time, "What camera should I buy?" I have been telling them mirrorless for a couple of years now. Nikon had me scared for a while, but I think they are moving in the right direction now.
You should add something else in favour of the Z7... the recently announced firmware update...
Have the D850 and Z6. I think it’s the best combination for now, as the Z6 is better in every aspect for video than the Z7 (even Nikon states this). In addition, the Z6 has better low light performance, and I’ve also benefitted from shooting stills with it handheld at 1/15 or even 1/8th using IBIS. Most video I shoot is captured on the Ninja V, which is also one “slot” if shooting 10-bit. Never had a problem with cards or disks, but I’m not shooting for clients’ once in a lifetime events. That said, I have the grip for the D850, so for wildlife shooting, I never have to worry about the battery from sunup to sundown or of course, about one card failing. I have all the Z lenses so far, and in my opinion, they rival the best high-end F-mount glass that I have. I’m excited about the Z series going forward. With the announcements at CES including ProRes RAW, Eye AF and CF Express support, I believe that the Z series will become a great system over time.
I have both - and found that the z6 does NOT have low light quality as my D4 or D850. That’s just my opinion. Much more noise in z6 shadows, which has made me decide to use only the D4 and D850 for concerts / plays
i feel like you've kind of missed the point of the Z7, Nikon have explicitly said that the Z7 isn't intended to replace a D850, it's designed to be used alongside a D850 and the Z6 to be use alongside something like a D5 of D750, that's not to say that they're bad cameras on their own but i don't think there really needs to be a comparison about which one is better because they're meant to compliment each other
It’s meant to replace it. I’m not listening to them tell me it’s something other than a replacement.
I use my Z7 as a bathroom decoration. I can use it however I want
I’m a sports photographer so I’m saving up for the D850 and watching this video definitely made me more for sure that I want it vs before I watched any videos about it lol.
D850
BETTER in low light.
Between d850 and d780
Witch one is better?
That's a very worthy question.
I shoot mainly photographs and value battery life more, so I think the D850 is a better choice for my needs. But, yeah it is quite a difficult decision to make without testing and comparing both over a period of time. The Z7 is appealing nonetheless.
Nikon is going to add their one of the best feature in terms of the AUTO FOCUS, the Eye Af and that is selectable person wise, in near future in their Z series cameras.
Still ❤️ my Nikon D810. 📷
Thanks for informative video. I feel that Z7 is a bit immature so far and with a limited selection of lenses and a hopeless adapter, I now replace my old D800 with a D850. Then we'll see about a 2-3 years if I'm ready for the mirrorless
That's exactly how I feel. I'm still holding on to my D850, and very happy with it, I might add.
That's why i returned z7 and bought d850. Very happy. May z7 mark 2 or 3 but for now d850
I know this is an old video but it still helps a lot in making a big decision like this. One thing not mentioned is how to shift from normal still shots to HDR shots. Apparently, this process is buried in the menu system of the Z7, and in the 850 it's only a button push on the camera body. That's a deal-breaker for me and a big check mark for the 850. Thanks and cheers!
can the D810 do that?
The review I was waiting for!
I'm happy that I was finally able to get the Nikon D850 through, none other than, Allen's Camera. My current camera, the Nikon D810 is now my secondary and I finally have an awesome primary camera. Thanks Jared for all the great advice.
Congratulations man
I currently shoot a D850, D810 and D500, and to me nothing can beat this trinity of bodies for still photography. With that being said, I have been eyeing the Z6 as my gateway to incorpoarte more comprehensive video capabilities into my tool kit. I simply can't justify a Z7 when my D850 is far superior body for my focus of still photography.
I went shopping for a DSLR, and did the reviews and such, and kept coming back to the D850. Unfortunately, it's too expensive for me, even used they want 1500.00. I'll wait a month or two and have enough. My question to you is, will the D850 disappoint with the video? Video is important to me, I want to podcast and such. Is the Z6 a better route for me? VERY GOOD picture quality is also important to me, can the Z6 keep up with the D850? 46MP vs 25MP What will I give up? I heard someone saying the D850 sensor could handle billboard-sized images. I have no plans on putting anything on a billboard, can the 25MP take just as amazing 11 X 14-sized pictures as the 46MP? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
@@tomgoffnett5624 The main difference in video will be the autofocus, which is substantially different. If you are planning to manual focus a podcast you should be happy with either. If you are vlogging or moving around a lot or doing dynamic scenes the Z6 is a clear win. As for the resolution, it is unlikely you will notice the difference unless you are pixel peeping. Certainly not at 11x14 even when held close, maybe starting at 18x24 or 24x36 and only then if you're really examining up close. Unless you have a specific need for the pixels (I shoot a lot of mountains and want to resolve individual trees for example, I also crop a lot) I wouldn't hyper-optimize for them. You can easily print billboards at 25MP also, there are tons of billboards out there with professional photography that can be printed off 16MP files or less even.
@@philipdaian8386 I seriously appreciate you taking the time to educate me. Thank you very much. Best regards
@@tomgoffnett5624 no problem, like I said I do want to make a video to teach more people how to do this easily and will do so in the next month or two I'm just very backed up. I think there's some sort of impression amongst photographers that Fuji on-camera processing is black magic, and I think a lot of marketing departments love continuing that meme. but really, there is no magic in photography, just digital transformations of data, and I think people understanding how to achieve the same thing in as many ways on as many cameras as possible will be super cool for experimentation.
@@philipdaian8386 Right on!
For all round best camera, I go with Nikon D850. It has what it takes for pro photographer. It can be used for amateur up to pro photographer.
Great job Jared! Your vids are always super informative! Really appreciate your work!
I only do portraits and macro in my studio. I went for the D850.
Spot on review. It sure does come down to one's style of shooting. This D850 dude, having diverted to supplemental Sony's at the start of the mirrorless era, is not going to the Z7. I still regard the mirrorless movement as motivated as much by marketing (fire up sales) as any technical or artistic advantage. BTW, your Wind Tunnel test was astounding. If the government wasn't shut down, NASA could use that talent of yours.
😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅
If you factor in the FTZ adapter for the Z7 then the weight difference is just over 100g, or 0.26lb. Not much of a difference IMO.
Z6 or Z7
Any day but just the thing that XQD card thing sucks .....
I mean come on XQD card is not cheap like the SDHC cards
The big issue for me with the Z6/Z7 is that the autofocus for action and wildlife photography is nothing short of diabolical and renders it useless whereas the autofocus on the D850/D500/D5 is excellent. As a landscape or studio camera the Z6/Z7 is fine and the ability to see exposure compensation in the viewfinder is great but that is all lost if you can’t get the subject in focus to start with. Hopefully this is something Nikon will be able address in a firmware update.
The Z7 seems a joke to the D850, let's be real. I'm a Canon shooter, but the D850 is the best DSLR to date, it's the 5D mark II of these years.
The 'best' DSLR to date? Really? D5 is better. Z7 is better. My pokey iPhone is better. Depends on use case, skills and objectives.
Are we not entertained? The D5 has less MP, it’s a more specialized sports camera like the 1DX. I said that the D850 is a great all rounder because has a lot of MP useful for portraits, landscape, but also wildlife since it comes with a focusing system that can be used for that, and a high frame rate too, even without the overpriced grip. It is built like a tank, just like a D5, but it’s a little more portable than that (very slightly though). The only advantages of the Z7 is the video features, but in that regard the Z6 is even better, and the EVF
The D5 is a joke. The D4 is far better in image quality. The D850 is the best out there right now, next to the D700.
Z7 and Iphone are not "DSLRS".
D850 has some advantages over the Z7 for sure. Namely dual card slots, and better tracking AF.
Z7 has clear advantages over the D850 as well though. Video autofocus and IBIS.
I don't see it mentioned much for how good it is for stills, but having IBIS is a huge advantage to have, especially considering so much of the best F-Mount glass is unstabilized.
D850 is a phenomenal option, obviously, but so is the Z7. And Z7 has Eye AF incoming also.
20:39.... alright Jared! Goosebumps...!!!! I've owned the D850 since 2017 and it never NEVER let me down...!!! I don't find any reason why there's should be (if), a replacement of this camera. There's nothing else feasible to add. I think the future now belongs yo the Mirrorless technology and anything else would be just waste of time if not money as well!
The Nikon Z6 & Z7 now has eye-af
D Meyer soonTM
In September 2019.....
It's eye socket AF 😂
@TheBorgCollective Nikon revealed at CES 2019 that they will release a firmware update that will include eye-AF. So yes, it will
@TheBorgCollective I never said it had it now. I'm just informing you what was announced at CES and it seemed you didn't know that info. I'm not the OP of this post and it seems like you're NOW being nit picky about words.
One of your very best videos JP. As a D850 owner the camera feels perfect in my hands and performs like a dream. Yes there are features on the Z7 l lust after but Nikon mirrorless is still in its infancy so l will sit on the sidelines for now.
One point to note the D850 can be purchased significantly cheaper than the Z7 with retail discounting and Nikon rebates. I got mine for the equivalent of US $2,780 including sales tax.
This was a great review, I went through this basic thought process in October. For context, I have a D810, and a couple of Panasonic mirrorless cameras for video. Because of changes to my typical lighting set-up, the AF on the D810 was struggling, so I hoped the improved low-light AF of the D850 could help. The Z7 was available, so it made sense to consider that too. The low light AF seemed better with the D850, I am most comfortable using a vertical grip, and a general preference of an OVF made me decide that I'd get the D850, probably the last DSLR I will purchase. Maybe in 2-4 years I'll get the Z8?
Z7 - no
D850 - yeah
Z8 - yeah?
😂 HUH
@@Stop-All-War Without the pandemic and the associated supply chain issues, the Z8 could have easily been released in 2022, 2-4 years after I wrote the comment.
If you’re starting to watch this video and wondering whether to sit through it.. DO.. it’s a fair and really good look and discussion about both cameras from someone who’s actually used them a lot in REAL world situations on multiple occasions
17:40 do you know real-time that your card failed or do you realize when you go to get the files off the card? all the bodies I've owned have only had 1 card.
How the hell have you not had card failure? Get a new card for each body
Yeah I've had multiple cards but bought new ones for my second body.
@@rialbb wait I thought you said you had one card for all bodies?
Maybe i meant 1 card slot can't remember
@@rialbb Oh sorry I thought you had one sd card for all your bodies. My bad
I already own the D850 and love it. Here's my conundrum. I mainly shoot nature, wildlife, and macro. I'm not a pro but an avid enthusiast. I recently purchased the 500PF to replace the 200-500 and also own the 300PF. I'd like to mount the 500PF on the D850 and get a second body to carry with the 300PF mounted to it in case the wildlife is too close for the 500PF. Should I get another D850 or the Z6 or Z7? Which body would be the best camera body for nature, wildlife, macro for the enthusiast?
On the AF points, yes edge to edge is cool but I can’t imagine a scenario where all the way at the edge of the frame is what I want in focus
Widlife
I went with Z7. Already had a D750 and a D7500. Keeping the D750 for birds and using the Z7 for landscapes and video.
Have the Z6 and I believe there are enough pluses in additional to a substantial price savings to make the choice the Z6. It is a fabulous camera that has most of the Z7 features and a few that are superior to the Z7. In my opinion in the competition between the D850 and the Z7, the winner is the Z6!!!
my problem with EVF has been vertigo I get from the display lag. I think that is the reason a lot of old-timer photographers don't like EVF. It's why I have stayed away from mirrorless cameras. -2000 checkmarks for any mirrorless camera till I find one that doesn't give me vertigo.
Audi Q7 vs Audi A7 which one is better?
For people with arthritis definetly the Q7... 😉
I own a 850. Purchased the z6 to supplement. Love both !
You did not mention the 8k time lapse for D850 which is not available for Z7
Khaled A. Aziz yes it is men check it out again
For video, the more battery life and second memory slot are vital!
But auto focus is vital too!
Which one is more important?
They both have VR (vibration reduction), the Z just does a better job of it (5 elements versus 3). In my opinion, a professional should only choose the 850 because of the dual memory cards.
Hi Jared, I‘m still using my D800 and sometimes my old F4. Any questions?
The F4 is and always be a brilliant camera, as is the F2AS. Mine is an F4E which is so much easier to use than the F4S
I keep a trusty FM2n handy.... no batteries really needed
Jared, you really helped me decide between the two. It came down to autofocus, image stabilization and being able to see exposure changes through the electronic viewfinder...very cool. Weight also matters unless I am carrying a large telephoto lens obviously. I also like the larger 55mm opening versus the size of the old (1959)F mount....light has to bend less now creating less potential for distortion out towards the edges. Right now the selection of Z lenses are pretty limited but the Z to F mount adapter is being given away for free by Nikon with the purchase of a Z body. As of early November 2019, the prices of the body are only about $100 apart in the $2700- $2800 price range, which is another reason I am choosing the Z7. The only gripe I have about the Z7 is that there is only one storage cartridge....that is all. This means that professionals don't want to use this camera and risk not getting paid and ruining their reputations. The extra battery holder on the body is now available. There is also a non-Nikon dual battery charger available for much less on Amazon. I hear it is safer to charge a lithium-ion battery outside of the camera....makes sense since they can catch fire. Again, thanks for the excellent review. You do a great job with all of your videos.