[davidmanze]

"For within each seed, there is a promise of a flower, and within each death, no matter how small, there's always a new life. A new beginning. "

   Ah yes,  positive philosophical vibes Klaus! ........... 

  Let's hope Nikon has ML APSc seeds and flower pots available in abundance ...... for my part I will do a rain dance ..........  

   ........ and of course spring is just around the corner ...... so maybe we will see Z500s bursting from the blossom in time for late summer ......

 If Nikon were to recognised it ...... they have a fantastic market opportunity, in front of their very eyes ........

I have been asking myself who is going to make the move first, Nikon, or Canon.  It is such an obvious niche to be filled!  And when it comes to nature shooting, and action sports shooting Canon made it obvious to the world, could it have been way back in 1987 (?) that the camera that does this the best is going to be the dominant camera company in the world.

Many believe the D500 is the best bird photography camera of all time.  It would be logical to make a mirrorless version that can build on its legacy.  Putting a new 24mp sensor would probably be the route I'd take.  I'm not up on memory card terminology, but with just a 24mp size I would think they could work just fine with SD form factor cards.  I use SanDisk Extreme Pro 64 GB cards.  I don't understand the ratings.  The say 170 MB/S but I don't know what equipment has to be used to see it.  My laptop SD slot seems to read them at 30 MB/S.  The camera itself might use them at a higher speed.  Heck, I got four cards for $60.  I'm guessing they are good enough for a 24 MP camera. 

I thought about getting a D500 when I got hooked on birding.  If Canon does introduce their R7 first, then it may have paid off for me to stay with Canon.  If Nikon makes a full frame mount compatible mirrorless first...it's more complicated!

I don't see myself processing RAW images from a camera with a sensor >= 45 MP.  It's fine for some kinds of photography.  LOL, or during winter when the hot air from my computer's exhaust fans can heat the house! 

Let's hope for mirrorless cameras we can fully use!  A Nikon for your and a Canon EOS R7 for me!

-Mac

P.S. - Did you notice the R5 + cooling fan camera version (for the over specked video)?  I wonder its exhaust heat could keep you warm while birding in a blind during the winter?

Hi Mac ........ it looks like Canon will be the first ...... they have the spare capacity and market share to able to go down the many avenues that Nikon cannot until they have established themselves as a major ML market player .......fortunately the Z9 is helping doing exactly that, showing itself to be a very capable camera ......

   On the other hand Mac we are sitting here watching, popcorn in hand, the latest ML camera wars .......  battling themselves one against the another ......... ....... whilst knowing we are sitting in the  "most expensive seats in the theater" ........ 
                   ......the birding seats !!! ......

 ........  you know the ones where Mps are hitting the fifties or above ........ Fps frame rates are hitting the thirties ...... buffers hit the ceiling and prices are hitting the roof, certainly lens wise ......
    ....... most of us have changed camera brands a couple of times and done the rounds of lenses that accompanied them and many are still carrying the financial scars of doings so .... 
   
 the bottom line is Mac ......  we live in the photography sphere that costs the most money .... weighs the most and is the most bulky ....... " it's for birding "  where you need the most technological advantages ...... and that means the most expensive cameras ..... lenses ......... tripods ...... hides ....... not to mention high quality footwear, camouflage gear etc ....  

  We have to ask ourselves Mac ........ Why Oh why do we do it ?? 

   I say all this so as that you make your buying choices wisely ........ just one more for the road ..........