Can anyone give me their thoughts on whether I should move up to a D500 or go mirrorless and buy a Z5? I primarily use my D7000 now for nature photography and when going on vacation. My lenses are 10-20, 18-200, 18-300, 40mm macro. I hear the D500 is a great camera and there are a lot for sale now that people are moving to mirrorless.  Will I get a noticeable difference from my D7000? Any advice on this would be appreciated.

Andy1549 wrote:Can anyone give me their thoughts on whether I should move up to a D500 or go mirrorless and buy a Z5? I primarily use my D7000 now for nature photography and when going on vacation. My lenses are 10-20, 18-200, 18-300, 40mm macro. I hear the D500 is a great camera and there are a lot for sale now that people are moving to mirrorless. Will I get a noticeable difference from my D7000? Any advice on this would be appreciated.Truth is nobody will be able to tell you what is best for you. It depends on a lot of factors, including (but not only), what type of photography you do (you mentioned that), if you prefer Optical or Electronic viewfinder, if you prefer a heavier camera with generally longer battery life per charge (DSLR) or a lighter camera with shorter battery life (mirrorless) and if you want just reuse the lenses you have as they are or using the FTZ adapter with the Z5 is not a big deal.I suppose that most of the deciding factors are more about the differences between a DSLR and a Mirrorless and if you want to go full-frame, than between the three cameras you mentioned.If it can help, from a standpoint of specs, features and functions, this comparison can be handy:https://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-side?products=nikon_d7000&products=nikon_d500&products=nikon_z5A possibly significant difference, often overlooked, is that neither the D500 nor the Z5 have a built-in flash. If that is important to you, look at the D7500 (sort of a "mini" D500 and way easier to find new).Disclaimer, I have no direct experience with neither the D7000 nor the Z5. However, I found myself at a similar crossroad about a year ago, when I wanted to "upgrade" from my D90 (the last of the 2-digit Dxx before Nikon went to the D7000 and the following D7xxx cameras).In my case, other than the occasional vacation/family "utilitarian" photography I focus (no pun intended) mostly on sport and action, so the D500 was a sort of logical choice, being the speed-demon that it is and its control customization galore.My rationale was to get now a top of the line APS-C DSLR before it went the way of the dinosaurs and give a couple more generations to Nikon to refine their Mirrorless, with the intent to add such a camera in the future, perhaps while at the same time going full-frame. If Nikon should decide to release a D500-like APS-C Mirrorless, that would be an appealing option as well.Regardless of my future purchases, the D500 (and even my old D90) ain't going anywhere.While the claim to fame of the D500 are certainly speed (fps, buffer, autofocus) and pro-grade body and controls, I use it also very satisfactorily for landscape and general photography. It is a very competent camera in all regards within the APS-C category. It is not hyperbole to say it is one of the best if not THE best APS-C DSLR ever made.

I'd wait until the next gen of Z bodies comes out ...Like a Z 70 or Z 5 II or Z 6 III.As far as current bodies go, the Z 6II I personally find to be the most compelling.But the original Z 6 is selling with the kit 24-70 f/4 constant for a decent price.The Z 6 have the top-screen display panel while the Z 5 does not have such a panel.I've heard nothing but rave reviews of the D500. I handled one only briefly; a display model at Best Buy. It felt terrific in my hands. In my brief time with it I was impressed by the build quality and the high responsiveness.I've read the D7500 is nearly identical to the D500, just lacking a few features like the AI tab for metering with AI/AI-S lenses.Personally, between then D500 and D7500 I'd probably get a D500, perhaps a mint one from the used market.You might also look at the D300s as they're quite inexpensive these days, used.The Nikon D2x and D2xs are also superb and inexpensive, around $250 minty or so. The D2x/s sensor isn't as nice as the D7000's sensor, but man is the body a fun one to use!The D3 can be found in superb used condition for around $500 any more.There's a wealth of terrific options out there. Impossible to make a wrong decision, they're all so great.

Andy1549 wrote:Can anyone give me their thoughts on whether I should move up to a D500 or go mirrorless and buy a Z5? I primarily use my D7000 now for nature photography and when going on vacation. My lenses are 10-20, 18-200, 18-300, 40mm macro. I hear the D500 is a great camera and there are a lot for sale now that people are moving to mirrorless. Will I get a noticeable difference from my D7000? Any advice on this would be appreciated.D500 if you can find one, and don't look back!

My previous DSLR was a D7000. I now have a D500 and am very happy with it. I do a lot of bird photography. The D500 has more accurate and faster AF as well as an excellent 20.9MP sensor. The D7000 is a nice camera. The D500 is better. The D7500 is a good choice as well, and much easier to find new than a D500.The D500 is a performance powerhouse, top-of-the line DX DSLR. The Z5 is an entry-level FX mirrorless camera. The D500 is better for action and wildlife. It also accepts all of the lenses you listed, which mostly seem to be DX lenses. The Z5 would be arguably better for slower-paced shooting. Focusing aids like viewfinder magnification and focus peaking make it a good choice for using manually-focused lenses. And it is much more widely available new. But you will need new lenses to make full use of it.I would select the camera that best matches expected use.

I think a good move would be a D7500.  I miss the scene modes on my D7200 and the built-in flash at times, even though some pros may look down at these things as a bit amateur-ish.  The D7500 will work with all of your lenses w/out an adapter, has the flash, and is lighter than the D7000.  Going to a Z5 will really require a new lens lineup, and external flash.  You're probably eyeing the $2100 bundle with the 24-200mm.My 18-300mm rarely left my D7200 when I had it; was great for vacations, outdoor events, and inside with the flash.  Sometimes I needed the 35/1.8.If you miss a lot of shots on your D7000 due to slow AF or not enough FPS, then maybe the D500 is what you need. But if your pace of play is not that of a sports or wildlife pro,  (1) bad card won't ruin your business, and having a vertical grip isn't mandatory, then the D7500 is probably best. The sensors are the same.I always buy used, an excellent condition D7500 is about $620 from MPB, if you don't need the original packaging.  Your other option is $2100 for a new Z5 and 24-200 lens.Lastly, you noted you have a 10-20mm lens.  The only one I know of is the newer AF-P DX lens that doesn't focus with the D7000.  It will work great with the D7500 or D500.

Andy1549 wrote:Can anyone give me their thoughts on whether I should move up to a D500 or go mirrorless and buy a Z5? I primarily use my D7000 now for nature photography and when going on vacation. My lenses are 10-20, 18-200, 18-300, 40mm macro. I hear the D500 is a great camera and there are a lot for sale now that people are moving to mirrorless. Will I get a noticeable difference from my D7000? Any advice on this would be appreciated.I have a Z6 and am thinking of upgrading back to the D500, purely for sports AF.

Andy1549 wrote:Can anyone give me their thoughts on whether I should move up to a D500 or go mirrorless and buy a Z5? I primarily use my D7000 now for nature photographyWhat kind of nature? Based on your lenses, it doesn't sound like birds are a priority. Therefore, fast action AF may not be as important for you.and when going on vacation. My lenses are 10-20, 18-200, 18-300, 40mm macro. I hear the D500 is a great camera and there are a lot for sale now that people are moving to mirrorless. Will I get a noticeable difference from my D7000? Any advice on this would be appreciated.The D500 is a fantastic camera, but the D7500 may be just as good in your case. It depends on whether you need the extra AF performance and buffer. It might come down to which one you can find a better deal for. Both cameras would be a nice upgrade from your D7000.Going mirrorless would serve you better for vacation/travel, since you'll have a little smaller form factor. However, DX lenses aren't a great fit in my opinion. The Z lenses get great reviews and a big part of the reason to go with the Z system. I have not gone mirrorless yet, because I do shoot birds and the Z9 is the only one that makes sense for me. If I wanted a mirrorless for general shooting, I would go for the Z6ii.

If you want a "hold" option  a used D7200 is a good buy.  The sensor is a major improvement over the D7000 and its AF system although not up there with the D500/D7500 is pretty good for action.  I had a D7100 for some years - same generation as the D7200 and only swapped it because the buffer was too short ( was going to get a D7200  but found a D500 at a good price ).Apart from that a D500 or D7500 would be a good upgrade.On the mirrorless side, I think the Z6ii is about the best buy unless you need 45 mpx so that you can crop to DX.  The Z6 is very capable and is what I have.  The D500 gets more use however and not just for action/wildlife but also it is my main macro body and I tend to use it with long teles also ( I have some screw drive lenses still ).I have used a Z6 ( latest firmware )  and D500 side by side for 3 years or so - the AF systems are different stating the obvious and, particularly if you need eye AF or other computational photography or are a heavy video creator, then the Z mirrorless are great.  BUT - none of the current MILCs apart from the stacked ( fast readout sensors ) on the likes of the Z9 or A1/A9 can match the speed and effectiveness of those DSLRs.If you are thinking of moving to a Z5/6/7 ( or Sony A7x - same slow readout Sony sensors ), then its best, if you can, trying it out for a time yourself if you can hire one, and say a kit lens.

Andy1549 wrote:Will I get a noticeable difference from my D7000? Any advice on this would be appreciated.Print wise you'd likely not notice a difference from cameras produced over the last 15 years.  It's about whether or not the camera you have in your hands enables captures that another camera couldn't...The D500 has amazing AF and could capture images the D7000 couldn't.  Then you will notice a difference.

Thanks for all the good advice, after visiting my local camera shop again I was more impressed with the Nikon Zfc for mirrorless but still not sold on it. The D7500 is great advice to move up to, I think I would have bought a D500 already if it wasn't so heavy. I don't do bird photography and as mentioned a lot of my photography now is when travelling. Next month I'm going to Antarctica and was anxious to move up to the next level. Now that I know more about my options I'm really trending toward finding a D7500. It's an inexpensive move up, I keep all my lenses, weight is much better than D500 and battery life is better then mirrorless.

Andy1549 wrote:Thanks for all the good advice, after visiting my local camera shop again I was more impressed with the Nikon Zfc for mirrorless but still not sold on it. The D7500 is great advice to move up to, I think I would have bought a D500 already if it wasn't so heavy. I don't do bird photography and as mentioned a lot of my photography now is when travelling. Next month I'm going to Antarctica and was anxious to move up to the next level. Now that I know more about my options I'm really trending toward finding a D7500. It's an inexpensive move up, I keep all my lenses, weight is much better than D500 and battery life is better then mirrorless.That sounds like a reasonable approach. It would be a nice upgrade for sure. The Z fc or Z50 could also be good, if you bring your D7000 as a backup. That way you'd have a smaller lighter package going forward, but can still use your existing lenses and have the better battery life for this trip.