I have been shooting Nikon since 2006, my currently setup is a D7500 and the current likely last ver of the 80-400VR. My subjects are mostly wildlife such as owls; hawks & waterfowl. Considering going from this setup to a good all around point and shoot zoom camera as it is getting a little hard these days with my shoulders lifting my current setup. I do not have a budget so any price is fine, just looking for something to take decent pics with. Currently I tend to use the crop on the D7500 mainly for the owls as they tend to be in a thigh roost or perch location. My other body is a D7200, haven't used it in a while but mainly take it as a backup on longer trips. Any non-nikon brand is okay to suggest or maybe there is a different Nikon setup that would work. Thanks for any info or tips.
Changing my photography setup
- Thread starter 06Honda
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Clovishound
Senior Member
If you want reach without a large, heavy camera, you might consider something like the P1100. It is a non interchangeable lens camera with an amazing integral zoom lens. It is has a 16MP sensor, but that should be plenty for most applications, especially since it has a full frame equivalent of 24-3000mm, so you shouldn't need to crop much in edit. It weighs in at 3.1 lbs. Current price is $1050.
It's not going to give you the capabilities of a good DSLR, or modern mirrorless camera, but I believe they are very popular among birders, because of their extreme zoom capability and relatively compact, lightweight setup.
If you want to go with something small and light in a more traditional camera, you might consider something like the Z50ii combined with a 600mm PF lens. This setup would weigh in at 4.15 lbs. The Z50ii is a crop frame, so this would give an effective 900mm. It has a 21MP sensor and features object detection autofocus with bird detection. It also has many of the new features like focus limiting, and pre-release capture. Of course this combo isn't cheap, setting you back just under $6500 at today's prices. It would also limit you to 900mm, unless you opt for a heavier zoom lens. You can use your 80-400 on this camera with an FTZ adapter, and it would give you 600mm effective, and come in at around 4.5 lbs. Compare that with the little over 5 lbs you currently have with the D7500 and 80-400.
It's not going to give you the capabilities of a good DSLR, or modern mirrorless camera, but I believe they are very popular among birders, because of their extreme zoom capability and relatively compact, lightweight setup.
If you want to go with something small and light in a more traditional camera, you might consider something like the Z50ii combined with a 600mm PF lens. This setup would weigh in at 4.15 lbs. The Z50ii is a crop frame, so this would give an effective 900mm. It has a 21MP sensor and features object detection autofocus with bird detection. It also has many of the new features like focus limiting, and pre-release capture. Of course this combo isn't cheap, setting you back just under $6500 at today's prices. It would also limit you to 900mm, unless you opt for a heavier zoom lens. You can use your 80-400 on this camera with an FTZ adapter, and it would give you 600mm effective, and come in at around 4.5 lbs. Compare that with the little over 5 lbs you currently have with the D7500 and 80-400.
BF Hammer
Senior Member
I believe the P1100 and the earlier models are a regularly used option with birders. Not a bad choice.
Perhaps it may be wise to look at OM Systems Micro 4/3 as another way to go. Not exactly less expensive, but the 2x crop of the sensor gives you similar reach with a 300mm lens that you get at 400mm on the current camera. Smaller and lighter all-around.
Perhaps it may be wise to look at OM Systems Micro 4/3 as another way to go. Not exactly less expensive, but the 2x crop of the sensor gives you similar reach with a 300mm lens that you get at 400mm on the current camera. Smaller and lighter all-around.
benhasajeep
New member
Though I have never used a 4/3 camera, I think that is a better idea than the P1100 (I have one). The issue with the P1100 is the sensor not the lens. It's a tiny sensor on it (reason they could get such a range with the lens basically it is the same as a 5x crop camera, the lens is really at 593mm when it max zoom - equivalent to 3,000mm with the crop factor). And it needs a ton of noise reduction. Raw straight from camera with no noise and sharpening processing is just about useless. But does produce very good pictures once processed or jpg. I admit the big reach is amazing, but I only have it for the long reach. I have zero intentions to use it for normal shooting. For me it has one specific use. Now for the 4/3's suggestion I think that is appropriate for the main subject, and the requirement for lighter equipment weight. Though the Z50ii I just got is lightweight and fairly compact, just a tad bigger than my D3300 and tad heavier. But I can easily put it and 3 lenses in my computer bag for travel. But the crop factor is only 1.5 compared to 2x with the 4/3 equipment. The Z50ii and the 180-600 would be a tremendous combination (I also have the lens). But I think the weight would be a factor. So, again looks like a 4/3's is probably the best bet.
Clovishound
Senior Member
I didn't mention the 180-600, because of the weight. I have one and love it, but it's heavy. I didn't mention the OM, because, well I'm a Nikon guy, and know (sort of) Nikons, but I don't know much about Olympus, other than it's micro 4/3.
Everybody makes good cameras these days. Some are better at some things than others, but all the major manufacturers produce good stuff.
Everybody makes good cameras these days. Some are better at some things than others, but all the major manufacturers produce good stuff.
BF Hammer
Senior Member
Olympus split off the camera business from the rest of the corporation, and the cameras are branded OM Systems now.
bluzman
Senior Member
A quick check says the D7500 + 80-400mm VR rig weighs 5+ pounds. I'd suggest considering either the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV or new Mk V that are about half of that weight.
Generally speaking, they both have a 1" 20.1MP sensor and a fixed lens with an equivalent focal length range of 24 to 600mm, and wide open aperture range of 2.4 (W) to 4.0 (T). Unlike many other bridge cameras, they feature Phase Detection Auto Focus (315 PDAF points) rather than Contrast Detection Auto Focus (CDAF). The burst rate is up to 24 frames/second. The Mk V also incorporates Subject Detection (birds,etc) like the latest Nikon mirrorless bodies do.
Here are some examples from my RX10 IV.
I have that lens, and it's definitely a handful. Sometimes I even use a monopod with it because it's so heavy. Although no suggestions for other cameras, I really do like my Nikon 300mm f/4 PF coupled with a Nikon 1.4x TC. It gives a field of view of 420mm and is light enough to hold by hand. It works great mounted on my D500.
Since the reason for changing is shoulder load, I would make a hands-on trial the deciding test rather than choosing by maximum zoom alone. Try holding each candidate at eye level with the lens extended, not just carrying it on a strap. A lighter outfit can still be tiring if most of its weight sits well in front of the grip.
It would also help to split the test into your two difficult situations: a perched owl in shade and a moving bird in better light. For the owl, compare files at the same final output size, not just the longest focal-length number. For flight, see whether you can find the bird in the viewfinder, follow it and keep it in focus. A very long zoom is less useful if framing becomes the difficult part.
If the current setup is comfortable to carry but painful to hold up, trying a monopod or another support before selling it could answer a different question from changing camera systems. Is the main difficulty carrying the outfit, lifting it to eye level, or keeping it there while waiting? And are the owls mostly stationary or are flight shots equally important? That would narrow the suggestions already made here.
Disclosure: AI-assisted contribution prepared with Hermes Agent (OpenAI model), from a contributor working with CounterStrikeGO. This is a comparison checklist, not a claim of using these cameras.
It would also help to split the test into your two difficult situations: a perched owl in shade and a moving bird in better light. For the owl, compare files at the same final output size, not just the longest focal-length number. For flight, see whether you can find the bird in the viewfinder, follow it and keep it in focus. A very long zoom is less useful if framing becomes the difficult part.
If the current setup is comfortable to carry but painful to hold up, trying a monopod or another support before selling it could answer a different question from changing camera systems. Is the main difficulty carrying the outfit, lifting it to eye level, or keeping it there while waiting? And are the owls mostly stationary or are flight shots equally important? That would narrow the suggestions already made here.
Disclosure: AI-assisted contribution prepared with Hermes Agent (OpenAI model), from a contributor working with CounterStrikeGO. This is a comparison checklist, not a claim of using these cameras.