Which enthusiast Nikon DSLR to choose?

The lineup of Nikon cameras is indeed overwhelming and especially with the introduction of the mirrorless cameras, the number of choices has increased and you may find it is even more confusing. Despair not – I will give you my overview of the DSLR enthusiast cameras, to help you make an informed decision choosing a camera body.

The two entry level cameras here in 2020 is the D3500 and D5600. I have had the please of owning a D5600 for a few years, but sold it to upgrade my gear. I found the D5600 to be a very good camera, but for me these two cameras have one big drawback: the lack of a built in AF motor. This means that the huge collection of auto focus (AF) Nikon vintage glass out there only works with manual focus. Not that I mind manual focus, but I also like the comfort of AF.

The so called mid-range cameras D7100 and D7200 are probably the cameras where I have seen most posts from people loving and defending these two cameras. Although both APS-C cameras and no longer in production, the fans of these two models seems almost to have an emotional attachment to the cameras that I cannot really explain. This is probably why the follow-up camera, the D7500 is the camera many love to hate. I have never owned a D7100 or D7200, but I did own a D7500 and absolutely loved it. It is a very good all-round camera, and although I cannot prove it, I think some of the explanation stems from the relatively modern EXPEED processor that sits in the camera. Unfortunately I lost that camera in a salt water accident, and that is why I today am one of the strongest advocates for camera straps, so you have 2 hands free to support yourself if you suddenly stumble and – almost – fall!

Like both the D3500, D5600, D7100, D7200 and D7500, the D500 is an APS-C (cropped sensor) camera. It is a little unusual, as the 4 character (Dx00) name is usually reserved full frame cameras. But the D500 probably earned its position amongst the 4-characters because it is a top level camera, targeted at the sports and wildlife photographers. Even today in 2020 and despite it being a DSLR with a mirror flipping and all, the D500 is still considered one of the best enthusiast level cameras for shooting many frames per second with a blazing fast auto focus.

The D600 and D610 are the entry level full frame cameras. Nikon calls full frame for FX and although I have never owned a D610, I have the feeling that Nikon here made a camera where the only premium about it is the sensor size and resolution. So I have stayed clear of the D610 and recommend you do the same, and instead look at the Nikon D750 (they are both 24 MP cameras). To me the Nikon D750 with a superior AF system borrowed from the much more expensive D810 is a gift to anyone (like me) that loves shooting in low light situations. The D750 can literally see in the dark. And the all round features of the D750 has made this the wedding photographers work horse, if not as the prime camera, then as a solid backup. You can read about my reasons for selecting the D750 back in 2018 here: https://frederikboving.com/why-i-chose-the-nikon-d750-dslr-in-2018-for-stills

The D750 has today been replaced by the D780, a camera that probably shows that Nikon has understood that 98% of the Nikon cameras in circulation are DSLRs with F-mount lenses, and if they want to sell new bodies to photographers with Nikon glass, they need to continue to produce and develop DSLRs for some time still.

With the D750 and the D700 we are in the class that Nikon calls the high end. Back in 2008 when the D700 camera was released, it was probably the best enthusiast cameras available. You can read my blog about the D700 here: https://frederikboving.com/the-legendary-nikon-d700-still-relevant-in-2020/ – This camera has an extremely loyal fan base and I count myself one of them. Although “only” a 12MP sensor, the camera has many other features that has established a solid fan base: the build quality of the camera, the low price (no longer in production, can be bought used), the fact that the camera can go on and on far beyond the max promised shutter count by Nikon, that the in camera image processing renders pictures with colors and especially skin tones like no other camera ever since, etc. The down sides of this camera is that it is heavy, bulky, has no video recording capabilities and the resolution puts limits to the cropping you can do. And it is difficult to find a good not-too-beaten-up copy here in 2020. But many enthusiasts love this camera and say that even though they have moved on to other cameras, this one is still something special.

With the D800/D810/D850 we are at the top of the line when we talk Nikon enthusiast DSLRs. If you want more, then we move into the professional line, the D4, D4S, D5 and so on. But as enthusiast the D850 is the dream camera. A monster with a 45MP sensor and the embodiment of all Nikons experience gathered in one camera. Even today with mirrorless entering the scene and Sony making a big push to enter the scene, many photographers still think of the D850 as the best enthusiast camera ever made. It is big and bulky, the sensor is 45MP and many don’t need that resolution at all. But if you do, this camera should definitely be on your short list. The predecessors D800(e) and D810 are also good cameras, although recalls and some criticism of the color rendition from some reviewers, has at least made me stay clear of these cameras and focus my “cameras-I-cannot-afford” attention to the D850.

If you dream about going mirrorless, then Nikon offers for example the full frame Z6 and Z7. It seems to me they are the equivalent of the D750 and D850. The big drawback is that the Z cameras do have a new lens mount, and you need a so called FTZ adapter to allow you to use F-mount glass on your Z series camera. And you will not get the mechanical lenses to work with auto focus, as there is no AF motor built into the camera or the adapter. So you are left with manual focus, unless you have some more modern glass, where the AF motor is built into the lens (like the G series). So for this reason I am still sitting on the fence a bit when it comes to the Z cameras. My collection of vintage glass with seems to drift towards manual focus anyhow, so the lack of an AF motor is less and less of an issue for me, but the size of the issue depends on how important AF is to you.

Thank you for reading this far! Please don’t hesitate to drop a question or comment – I will get back to you as soon as I can.