DSLR discontinued? Been out of the loop.

[Tdude96]

Yeah that was my opinion but I guess need to explain it better.
Disclaimer: not disinformation, just a heated topic in photography circles and disagreements on this grounds are very, VERY common.

Whole camera industry has stalled. And the market seems to keep dying ever since 2012.

The reason?
Camera manufacturers cannot just bump megapixels from one decade to another, put more algorithms on top and pretend everything is alright.

APSC sensor size didn’t see significant increase ever since 2.6 megapixel Nikon D1 which will hit 30 years by 2029. I won’t wonder they will make 102 or 200 megapixel Nikon flagship by 2030… with same DX and FX sensor sizes.

Advantages of high megapixel count are obviously better crop (to an extent) and better to print large (industrial level printing, not some home hobbyist printer stuff) and probably better for pixel peeping on huge UHD displays, MAYBE better: 4k is just 8 megapixels after all, and 8k displays are not so widespread right now. But the disadvantages are not going anywhere: quirky dynamic range and diluted saturation, sometimes even worse low light performance or higher noise floor but this is mostly dependent on lens one is using.

The one single reason why megapixels are getting increased all the time is for marketing, since manufacturers cannot invent anything new anymore.

Lens quality matters much more than megapixel count. I had seen pictures taken with 3,4,10,12,14,16 megapixels and I never thought “well I think this picture is low quality because digital resolution sucks”. I was impressed with colors and lens quality.

There is obviously some degree to when it would feel that image needs more megapixels, but generally everything more than 5 megapixels is enough for good photos, 12 megapixels and it is sweet spot, 20+ and what would anyone need… more than enough. But 45, 48, 100, 200, 400? I mean even with new technologies like quad bayer there won’t be much of an advantage unless one loves cropping images (I don’t, digital zoom is still digital, optical or “zoom with your feet” ftw)

I'm in almost full agreement with everything you said there. Megapixel count is practically the last of my concerns on a camera, while sensor quality and physical sensor size are top, followed by rugged construction.

Size of the camera body itself bothers me on mirrorless. I don't think I'd use one without a solid battery grip. For anything handheld (the vast majority of my camera work), the extra mass helps steady the shot, which is helpful no matter how much IS you have.

 

[okkibs]

Whole camera industry has stalled.

The problem is that there is no potential for growth. Everybody who wants to buy a dedicated camera for photography already has one. In contrast to modern tech with its updates and apps these cameras don't become obsolete or stop working or need to be replaced because of security issues.

These DSLM and DSLR cameras are doing such a good job for so long that my expensive DSLR from nearly 10 years ago is still absolutely fine and even though I am thinking of finally retiring it... it's the fact that I'd need to replace all lenses that keeps me from getting started.

Even if I did finally switch over to a DSLM I'd be set for another 10 years or more. But you need to increase sales numbers or your business is going to start shrinking. With AI generated photos and now even videos that include AI generated sound the demand for actual real photography has never been lower.

 

[OldMacs4Me]

I'm in almost full agreement with everything you said there. Megapixel count is practically the last of my concerns on a camera, while sensor quality and physical sensor size are top, followed by rugged construction.

Size of the camera body itself bothers me on mirrorless. I don't think I'd use one without a solid battery grip. For anything handheld (the vast majority of my camera work), the extra mass helps steady the shot, which is helpful no matter how much IS you have.

One of the things that pops out at me when I am using the Nikon Z50 is how solid the image is in the viewfinder. This thanks to the Vibration Reduction built into the lens. Those little motors are absolutely silent. Even at 1/15sec I've gotten sharp images at the 140mm end of the 18-140 zoom. Note; I still use the breathing technique I learned when my uncle taught me how to shoot a rifle, over 65 years ago.

 

[OldMacs4Me]

The problem is that there is no potential for growth. Everybody who wants to buy a dedicated camera for photography already has one. In contrast to modern tech with its updates and apps these cameras don't become obsolete or stop working or need to be replaced because of security issues.

These DSLM and DSLR cameras are doing such a good job for so long that my expensive DSLR from nearly 10 years ago is still absolutely fine and even though I am thinking of finally retiring it... it's the fact that I'd need to replace all lenses that keeps me from getting started.

Even if I did finally switch over to a DSLM I'd be set for another 10 years or more. But you need to increase sales numbers or your business is going to start shrinking. With AI generated photos and now even videos that include AI generated sound the demand for actual real photography has never been lower.

Yes my analog cameras are all still fully functional save for the lower shutter speeds on my little Braun Paxette. I would still be using all of those old cameras, were it not for the cost of film and the inconvenience of having it processed when the nearest city is 150km away.

 

[Tdude96]

One of the things that pops out at me when I am using the Nikon Z50 is how solid the image is in the viewfinder. This thanks to the Vibration Reduction built into the lens. Those little motors are absolutely silent. Even at 1/15sec I've gotten sharp images at the 140mm end of the 18-140 zoom. Note; I still use the breathing technique I learned when my uncle taught me how to shoot a rifle, over 65 years ago.

Those lenses are wonderful.
100% on breathing technique. It absolutely helps.

 

[ignatius345]

Since DSLR cameras are slowly being phased out in favor of MIL cameras, other than the sensor size, is there any advantage of keeping on using a dedicated camera vs camera on a smartphone?

No advantage really -- other than the fact that literally the most important components (the sensor and lens) are far, far more capable on a dedicated camera. Other than that, yeah, it's about the same

 

[ignatius345]

Costco used to have an Slang of different cameras

A what now?

 

[ChrisA]

I've been happily shooting with a Nikon D-500 (wildlife) and dF (macro and scenics), with a bevy of F-mount lenses collected over the last 3 decades. While I'd dearly love to have the fantastic "eye-focus" function for birds, I can't justify replacing everything at this point in my life (I don't want to be constantly fumbling with that "F-to-Z" adapter).

But it's fun to dream about, and read about, this new stuff.

One does not "fumble with the FTZ. When you attach the FTZ to the Z-Mount camera, the Z-Mount body with the FTZ attached is the EXACT size and handling as a DSLR. The FTZ exactly fills the space of the mirror box

If you were to replace a typical Nikon DSLR, like the D710 with a new mirrorless Z5ii with attached FTZ adapter, the two would be the same size and use the same f-mount lenses. Except the Z5ii would have new features like in-body image stabilization, so even your non-VR primes would be sharper, and then all the things you get with EXPEED7 processor.

Nothing is lost at all by using the FTZ and it effectively takes up zero space. The ONLY reason to buy a Niokon DSLR is because today you can buy a pretty good used one for about $300. If your budget is larger buy a used Z5.

 

[ChrisA]

I'm not sure where things are at with Canon, but Nikon is still very much selling DSLRs even if it's not their focus.

I picked up a second Nikon d780 body last month so I could have a dual d780 setup. I got it refurbished which knocked 40% off the new price. It looked pristine and had a shutter count of 5 out of the box.

Nikon has said that the development of new DSLRs has stopped. They did not say if manufacturing of DSLRs has stopped, but most people suspect manufacturing is at least ramping down. Yes, Nikon is still selling DSLRs, but likely from existing inventory.

Of course, there is the used market. In fact I just bought another used film camera that was made in the 1980s, a Nikon FE. There is such a large supply of used SLRs that they will be available for decades.

 

[richardallan]

So this has turned from a fact thread to an opinion thread so I'm not going to comment any further...

 

[ChrisA]

One of the good things about a fully articulated screen is that you can fully close them to avoid distractions when shooting. I do that a lot as with mirrorless cameras you can access the menus through the viewfinder. And also review images if you wish. I have to say that I actually use the articulated screen quite a lot. More than I thought I would.

The touch screen is very useful. I can use the menu system faster with a finger on the screen than using the arrow buttons, click-click-click, and "ok". It works just like an iPhone.

But the best feature of the LCD is moving the focus point. The arrow keys are just too slow, tap-to-focus is instant. No "click-click-click' just one tap. You can also do tap to trip the shutter. So I see something and in a millisecond can move the focus and trip the shutter.

In video mode, you can do focus pulls by tapping the subject.

I find that all of those works with an iPad using Snapbridge. It is great for macros. It is much easier to focus on a 10-inch screen and again, you can set the focus point from the iPad.

 

[ChrisA]

So this has turned from a fact thread to an opinion thread so I'm not going to comment any further...

There are no "facts" unless you want to copy/paste specification sheets.

 

[smirking]

Nikon has said that the development of new DSLRs has stopped. They did not say if manufacturing of DSLRs has stopped, but most people suspect manufacturing is at least ramping down. Yes, Nikon is still selling DSLRs, but likely from existing inventory.

Yep. I just meant it's still not too hard to get a Nikon DSLR if that's what you want. They just won't be sitting on the shelf at Best Buy.

I don't follow things like this closely so nobody quote me, but I seem to remember that before the F6 was officially discontinued, a lot of people presumed the ones sold to be old stock, but the serial numbers suggested otherwise. Whether it was determined that they were able to continue making them in small batches or they could do it because they had such a large inventory of spare parts, I don't remember.

Anyway, I love the d780 and hope I can rely on it being available like the F6 for a long time to come. One reason for optimism is that it shares the same sensor as the Z6II. Just in case I'm wrong, I picked up a Nikon refurbished 2nd body at a spectacular price a couple of months ago. Now I just have to be paranoid about my lenses. Replacements for some of those are a lot harder to come by.

 

[bunnspecial]

I don't follow things like this closely so nobody quote me, but I seem to remember that before the F6 was officially discontinued, a lot of people presumed the ones sold to be old stock, but the serial numbers suggested otherwise. Whether it was determined that they were able to continue making them in small batches or they could do it because they had such a large inventory of spare parts, I don't remember.

I looked and couldn't find the reference, but I'll dig more if someone wants to see.

A group was able to tour Nikon's Japan factory where the F6 and a few other low production bodies like the Df were made shortly before COVID(maybe late 2019 or even early 2020).

They reported that the F6 production line was still present and active, although generally turning out around 50 bodies a month.

The figure of around 600/year seemed to track with SNs people who ordered new ones were getting.

Of course that camera, and I think the whole facility, were one of the casualties of COVID. It, and the products produced there, were probably on borrowed time anyway(I can't imagine a production line making 50 cameras a month made a ton of business sense-there had to be reasons beyond that) but COVID probably brought it to an end quicker than it would have otherwise.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

Compared to my DSLR with some great lenses I have owned in last 30 years, I can’t find any replacement using mirrorless camera

OVF, low light, full frame sensors are big deal for some. I tried mirrorless but didn’t come close to what my 3 decades worth of lenses with DSLR did, and can’t beat manual focus on some of the older lens. I am not in to videos, and mirrorless smokes DSLR any day in video.
OP: Pentax still makes DSLR, may be not many updates like in the past. And DSLR prices have fallen, making the body attractive to upgrade if you already have great lenses.

Heck, I use an adapter to use SLR lenses on my mirrorless. Yes, SLR lenses. Old 1970s-1990s lenses that lack all the modern bells and whistles, like autofocus and autoexposure. And some modern DSLR lenses with all the auto stuff, and of course some "mirrorless lens mount native" lenses.

With its native lenses, it's *SMALL*, easily "everyday carryable" like a point-and-shoot. While retaining basically all the power of a big DSLR with huge tele lenses (in fact, because of the crop factor, they're even *MORE* tele now.)

 

[bunnspecial]

So this has turned from a fact thread to an opinion thread so I'm not going to comment any further...

Yes just as your list was mostly opinion.

 

[Ray2]

I've been happily shooting with a Nikon D-500 (wildlife) and dF (macro and scenics), with a bevy of F-mount lenses collected over the last 3 decades. While I'd dearly love to have the fantastic "eye-focus" function for birds, I can't justify replacing everything at this point in my life (I don't want to be constantly fumbling with that "F-to-Z" adapter).

But it's fun to dream about, and read about, this new stuff.

If it makes you feel any better: Our last 2 trips to wildlife areas were Big Bend (2020) and Antarctica (2024). Of the serious photographers, virtually everyone was using FF or DX Nikon and Canon dslr’s. Other than some tourist all in one's, I saw very few mirrorless.

I assume for serious photographers, money is better spent on travel than gear.

 

[OldMacs4Me]

If it makes you feel any better: Our last 2 trips to wildlife areas were Big Bend (2020) and Antarctica (2024). Of the serious photographers, virtually everyone was using FF or DX Nikon and Canon dslr’s. Other than some tourist all in one's, I saw very few mirrorless.

I assume for serious photographers, money is better spent on travel than gear.

Note that long lenses are expensive and most pro photographers tend to stick with what they have. They know exactly how to get the most from their current gear and dread the time waste of learning a new work flow should they update. If their gear is not sponsored then they tend to stick with it until it breaks, becomes unreliable or something comes along that they just have to have. All the bells and whistles incorporated into today's cameras are more of a must not have, than a must have.

Plus gear that looks well used provides a professional vibe.

 

[Apple fanboy]

If it makes you feel any better: Our last 2 trips to wildlife areas were Big Bend (2020) and Antarctica (2024). Of the serious photographers, virtually everyone was using FF or DX Nikon and Canon dslr’s. Other than some tourist all in one's, I saw very few mirrorless.

I assume for serious photographers, money is better spent on travel than gear.

Mirrorless sales in Europe are generally stronger than in the US. Not sure why. Of course large mirrorless cameras look a lot like a DSLR unless you know what you are looking at (not saying you don’t, just that a pro Mirrorless is larger than an entry level DSLR).

But money spent on going places to shoot is always money well spent in my book.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Note that long lenses are expensive and most pro photographers tend to stick with what they have. They know exactly how to get the most from their current gear and dread the time waste of learning a new work flow should they update. If their gear is not sponsored then they tend to stick with it until it breaks, becomes unreliable or something comes along that they just have to have. All the bells and whistles incorporated into today's cameras are more of a must not have, than a must have.

Plus gear that looks well used provides a professional vibe.

Not sure what a must not have feature is in any camera.

 

[TechnoMonk]

A what now?

Autocorrect lol. They used have so many cameras displayed on an island.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Heck, I use an adapter to use SLR lenses on my mirrorless. Yes, SLR lenses. Old 1970s-1990s lenses that lack all the modern bells and whistles, like autofocus and autoexposure. And some modern DSLR lenses with all the auto stuff, and of course some "mirrorless lens mount native" lenses.

With its native lenses, it's *SMALL*, easily "everyday carryable" like a point-and-shoot. While retaining basically all the power of a big DSLR with huge tele lenses (in fact, because of the crop factor, they're even *MORE* tele now.)

Smallest camera is on my phone, I have other concerns like lack of OVF and full frame sensors on Mirror less cameras. I carry my DSLR in a bag, so size or weight doesn’t really bother me. If I was in to video it would make a good case for me. My lenses are more expensive than camera body, I can switch any time if needed and if I see advantage of investing in adapters.

 

[penelope_bk]

Yes, I think the R50 is a solid camera, because despite its small size, it has a good sensor, fast autofocus and high image quality, especially for everyday use or travel. It's a big step up from the old SLRs, even if it feels different.