BUYER’S GUIDE
The current range of Nikon DSLR, Coolpix & Z-series mirrorless cameras
Current market prices are checked regularly with reputable stores to serve as a guideline. Body-only prices quoted unless stated. Different lens bundles are available. Prices correct at time of going to press.
THE D7500 SHOEHORNS the best bits from the now discontinued pro-grade D500 into a smaller more affordable body. The control layout makes everything is easy to get at, and there’s a top-plate info LCD, 51-point autofocus system, fast 1/8000 sec shutter speed and 8fps continuous drive rate. Video resolution stretches to 4K.
THE D780 TAKES the D750’s winning design and handling cues, but adds on-sensor phase-detection autofocus and EXPEED 6 processing, inherited directly from the Z 6, resulting in a capable and natural-feeling DSLR for shooting stills in viewfinder mode, coupled with the same kind of performance as a mirrorless camera in live view.
THE D850 GOES extra-large in megapixel count with a 45.7Mp image sensor. Further attractions include a high-spec 153-point autofocus system and fairly recent EXPEED 5 processor. For live view and video capture, however, the contrast-detection autofocus system is massively inferior to that of Nikon’s mirrorless cameras and the D780.
THE D6 HAS the best autofocus module of any DSLR in Nikon’s history, based on a 105-point system in which all of the points are cross-type. Eye-detection is also available in 3D tracking mode and the 14fps burst rate is impressive. The flipside is that the D6 only has a 20.8Mp image sensor. One significant advantage over the Z 9 is a 3,580-shot battery life.
SMALLER & LIGHTER than the P1000, the P950 has broader appeal, but a smaller full-frame equivalent zoom range of 24-2000mm. Like all bridge cameras, image quality is the pay-off for unrivalled versatility. £849/$797
THE Z 30 LOOKS and feels like the Z 50 with the viewfinder lopped off, and the tilting rear screen replaced by the vari-angle screen of the Z fc. The rangefinder style makes the camera about 20mm shorter and 40g lighter. The Z 30 is good value for vloggers, with little difference in image or video quality between it and the Z 50/Z fc.
WITH ITS DOWNSIZED DX format image sensor, the Z 50 nevertheless inherits the same oversized lens mount from full-frame Z system bodies. The slimline build makes the most of the mirrorless design ethic. The 20.9Mp image sensor matches the megapixel count of the later Z fc and Z 30. It’s a real joy to use and very travel-friendly.
ANOTHER BRIDGE CAMERA, the P1000 offers a zoom range equivalent to 24-3000mm in full-frame terms, so it’s ready for any shooting situation. The camera has a 16Mp sensor and supports Raw photography. £1049/$997
