Second camera recommendation

My main camera is a full frame D810. I also have an old lightweight DX camera, a D5100, and a few DX lenses. On my D810 I use

back button focus and just the central focus point and I would like to use the same set up on my DX camera but the focus point on the

D5100 is hard to see in the viewfinder and tends to move too easily and the rear buttons are not easy to use. I am keen to replace the

D5100 with one of the current small lightweight Nikon DX models. Can anyone with actual hands-on experience (no guesswork, please)

recommend one that is suitable for use in this way. Thanks Philip.

<blockquote>no guesswork, please</blockquote>

<p>Spoilsport. How lightweight does it need to be? A D500 would certainly meet your handling requirements (it really feels a lot like a D810, give or take the touchscreen and a few D5-generation movements - I took a hired one on holiday alongside my D810, but then I'm masochistic when it comes to weight allowance), but it's not exactly small or light. I've used a D7x00 series briefly and it felt like a toy next to the D810 - but that may be what you want. Handling of a D3x00 or D5x00 series is going to be comparatively compromised, but you do save some weight. I'd lean fairly heavily towards a D7100 or D7200 (depending on budget) in your shoes, not least because a pentaprism finder is going to help with any AF point issues you're having - and they have the same AF module as the D810(ish). You'll save money and a bit of weight with the lower-end models, but I'd be far more worried about not having a second control dial than anything else, and you don't need to have been carrying many DX lenses before the weight difference between a D5x00 and a D7200 becomes negligible. But I'll defer to people who shoot full time with DX.</p>

<p>The D500 is Nikon's latest DX body and it is a high-end one. However, the user interface (positions of the buttons) has changed a bit since the D810, e.g. the ISO button is right next to the shutter release.</p>

<p>One of the annoying features of the D3xxx and D5xxx family is that there is no lock on the rear control, making it very easy to move the focus point. I have gotten used to this on the D3200, and habitually recenter it with the [OK] button. Like back button focusing, it takes some time to get used to, but it becomes automatic. I just assume it will be decentered when I turn it on and usually just do it when I power on without even looking. I also use a magnifying eyepiece, which helps at the expense of eyepoint. My wife has a D7100, which I have used from time to time, and it feels much more substantial, and it also has a proper pentaprism finder and a locking control, which I find very nice to use, easier to focus, etc. as you'd expect. And as Andrew Garrard mentions, the controls are nicer too, with two control wheels. If you still want a fairly economical, fairly compact DX body, that (or the current D7200) would be worth a look. I find the D3200 useful and adequate most of the time, and like its compactness and its high bang-to-buck ratio, but if it ever falls in the ocean or breaks down, the D7200 is my most likely replacement, based on the times I've swiped the D7100. </p>

<p>I agree with Shun's point - the location of controls on the camera are significant to routine use of the camera, and all of the DX bodies have varying degrees of differences compared to the D810. The best bet would be to go to a shop that has Nikon bodies in stock so you could see for yourself and judge how each feels in your hands. If there is no such shop in your area, I suggest looking at Nikon USA's web site for photos of the bodies, or, for even more detail, download the user manuals for the D500 and D7200 to see where the controls are on each. You know which controls you use the most; neither body will have the D810's layout, so only you can judge the significance of the layouts of the DX bodies.</p>

<p>For a DX backup, I don't think you can do better than the D7100 or D7200. Sadly, the external controls are different from those on your D810. However, they are easy to learn and manipulate. Controls on the D500 are more similar (to the D810), but you will pay a much higher price for this top of the line body. FYI: My D5100 serves very well (for me) as backup/2nd body to my D7100. When I don't want to change lenses in a fast-developing environment, I frequently put the 11-16mm Tokina on the D5100, and my normal-telephoto on the D7100. That way, the images I am more likely to crop later are on the higher resolution sensor.</p>

<p>I've been using a D3300. It's cheap so I won't cry too much if something happens to it, and it's 24mp sensor is very, very good. It's the small camera I grab when I don't want to carry heavy stuff. I might replace it with a D5300. Same sensor and basically same size, but the fold out screen is great for "street" shooting. I like having both a large FX camera (D800E) and a small DX camera. Either can back up the other, but at the same time each has different capabilities.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

I want to be clear - the D500 is absolutely the closest

match in handling to a D810, despite the minor

generational changes, but Philip did say "small [and]

lightweight", which isn't how I'd describe it to anyone not

coming from a single-digit Nikon. I think Philip's best bet

is to find a store with a D500 and D7200 (or possibly

D7100 if budget matters more than frame buffer) and

handle them. The only reasons I'd go near the D3x00 and

D5x00 series are budget and Philip's previous familiarity,

but that sounds like a bad thing in this case. But I've not used a D7200 alongside a D500 and can't comment on specific gotchas.

<p>I was in the same situation some time ago, although my main reason was that my at that moment current DX bodies were a D2X (very limited high ISO, not usable over/around 800 ISO. On top of that the lens mount of the D2X was slightly warped, but given the age and before mentioned ISO limitation repair was not economically feasible) and a D70S (lovely little camera, but really getting old/technologically speaking no longer up to modern standards - OK, I'm spoiled with o.a. 2 D800's and a DF - )<br /> So I sold them for whatever I could get and started to look around for an additional more modern DX body (sometimes the 'extra' reach from the crop factor comes in handy, while at times I want to take something with a better IQ then a cell phone, but not as big and expensive as a D800/DF, with me) .</p>

<p>Did extensive research on the D500 ( as a NPS member I was able to handle it very shortly after its introduction), but IMO you want a smaller (DX) body, the D500 is not an option (the much improved AF and buffer/write speed are beyond reproach though).<br /> It's lighter then a D810 (I compared it with a D800, which is what I a.o. use) but the dimensions are about the same.<br /> Also price wise it's not a bargain, while I personally wasn't impressed with the higher (above 3200) ISO performance</p>

<p>I finally settled for a 2nd hand D7100, which after I sold my D2X and D70S cost me little over Eur 350 (including a Wifi dongle, although I never use that one).<br /> Admittedly the D7200 has a much better buffer, but the improvement in high ISO and AF were too incremental for me to justify the extra expense (not interested in the reportedly better video).<br /> The D7100 has a similar menu to the D800/D810, the same AF sensor (although I'm not sure it performs on the same level) and red AF sensor set up, and identical battery, while being much smaller and lighter, with plenty of megapixels (and, if necessary, when you shoot 12 bit compressed RAW, you can extend the buffer up to around 10 shots).</p>

<p>Only minor gripe I have is that there's no separate AF-On button you can use while keeping AF on the release button.<br /> AF activation is only possible with on the AE-L/AF-L button( and no longer with the release button) if you decide to use/program the AE-L/AF-L button that way.<br /> But I don't use it that way anyway, so not really a biggie for me</p>

<p>For the rest I have the D7100 set up in the same way as my D800's/DF, (only a few very minor differences in the menu), which make switching between the FX and DF bodies during a shoot a smooth non brainer (I a.o. shoot catwalk, with a D800 + 2.8/70-200 on a monopod for the shots further down the catwalk, and a 2nd body with a short zoom for when the models get closer by/ near the end of the catwalk)</p>

I find very little difficulty or loss of facility in

swapping between a D800 and a D7200. The AF

points in the D7200 are very easy to see, and a

quick press of the central "joystick" button

centralises the AF point should it get accidentally

moved.

<p>I like it. Opinions with no need for data.<br>

Personally, I have a D800 (first time I have kept a digital camera 4 years) and went with a D5500 for a light weight alternative. As far as the focal points-if you set it to 9 points, then pressing the center of the control wheel will always get you back to the center point. The D5500 plus the 16-80 DX VR weighs 2 pounds vs the 4 pounds of the D800 plus 24-70 f2.8 FF combo. D5500 plus 10-24 DX, 16-80 DX plus 70-200 f4 VR give a great, lightweight setup. It is a significant difference when hiking, swimming, (dry bag) etc. The camera takes great images, although I can see more detail in the D800 images at enlargement. I carry the D5500 day to day, and take the D800 for the most interesting trips.</p>

It sounds like you should step up from the D5000 series, since the issues you have with the D5100 wouldn't really be

solved by one of its successors. I'd look at the D7000 series. Anything larger wouldn't be noticeably smaller or lighter than

your D810. A D500 is an excellent camera but the size is similar to the D810.

<p>Given the points in the original post, I'd agree that the D7000 series seems a best first choice. </p>

<p>The main complaint is that the focus point in the D5100 is hard to see, and too easy to move, and that the buttons on that model are hard to use. About the buttons, it is probably a matter of opinion, but the D7100 I've actually used has more buttons, and many functions are easier and quicker. The D7100 also has a bold, dark and easy to see center spot in the viewfinder, which lights up when focusing, and a lock on the rear control, essentially solving the AF point issue. </p>

<p>On my D3200 I find back button focusing works all right, even though there is no dedicated AF-On button. Once I got the habit of using it, I found myself using it whether it was on or not anyway. I have to remind myself not to push the button even when I'm using manual lenses. </p>

<p>I agree with David Triplett. I have a d810 backed up wth a d7100. The d7100 is a wonderful machine and I plan to use it until it dies on me.<br>

-O</p>

<p>i dont know that it makes sense to replace a $700 body with an $1800 is its a backup mainly needed for small/compact applications. you'll have to compromise somewhere, since the d3xx/d5xx series do compromise on button facility and the d500 costs a lot more and is pretty heavy. a d7xxx series body would sit somewhere in-between but only the pro-spec models like d300 and d500 have the same AF-On button as the pro-spec FX models. not sure if the d7000 has a lock on the focus button, but refurbs are pretty cheap and they may not last long at that price. i would think that, or a 7100/7200 might be your best compromise; not sure how much you're willing to spend, but you cant expect a less-expensive DX body to have the exact same ergonomics and UI as a pro-level FX body. </p>

<p>Yes, the D7000 also has a lock for the focus point. I don't know what the viewfinder image looks like though, as the D7100 is the only one I've used.</p>

It's been a while but I remember the D7000 and D7100 having the same or very similar finders, at least to my eye, and it

being a lot better than a D5100 or D3100 or whatever was current at the time.

I believe the D7x00 series have pentaprisms like the

larger cameras, compared with the (lighter and cheaper,

but dimmer) pentamirror in the D5x00 and D3x00. Within

the limits of a DX finder, that should make a difference

in usability for focus points etc. At least a DX

pentaprism isn't as big or heavy as an FX one.

<p>The difference between the D7100 pentaprism and the D3200 pentamirror is immediately apparent.</p>