Thank you all for your helpful suggestions.
I guess if these decisions were easy, anybody could make them.
The Z 6 iii is probably the best body for me, along with the FTZ ii to work
with my current lenses.
But as the discussion shows, I will most likely need another telephoto
zoom, and that's the hard decision. None of them meets my needs. There's a
wonderful x to 200 coming out soon, but it would need the teleconverter.
The existing 100 to 400 S looks good, but it is very heavy. And so it goes.
Thanks again for the effort you have put into your comments.
--Pieter
On Fri, Feb 27, 2026 at 4:58 PM Kevin Schutz <kschutz...> wrote:
> I'd suggest going to a good local camera shop and seeing if you can test
> out what you're considering to purchase. Some places may rent equipment.
> The real question is how you perceive the quality of the resulting
> images, and how will you view/enjoy them. Will images be consumed on a
> notepad/laptop or printed, and at what scale. Virtually all major brands
> are putting out fantastic offerings today. And tomorrow's offerings may be
> better still. As we age, most individual's eyesight will degrade anyway,
> so we may not be able to discern detail to the Nth degree anyway. Try to
> balance this reality against what your end goals are, how you personally
> perceive images when viewed and your overall enjoyment factor. If new
> equipment is easy to use, if it will add to your fun and enjoyment, and if
> it will motivate you to get out and photograph more, then go for it.
>
> KS
> El Paso County
>
>
>
> On Fri, Feb 27, 2026 at 8:59 AM <pstra......> <pstrauss451...>
> wrote:
>
>> Need assistance understanding pixel pitch effect on resolution.
>> Due to life changes, I am now birding using my camera at the limits of
>> its abilities.
>> My Nikon D7200 plus 300mm zoom lens is aging, and I want to replace it
>> with a Z 6 iii mirrorless with 200mm zoom plus 2x telextender. The D7200
>> has 3.89 µm pixel pitch, the Z 6 iii has 5.92 µm. Am I correct that, all
>> things being equal, this means worse resolution at the same distance?
>> I had been thinking that better image stabilization, larger sensor, and
>> newer electronics would be an advantage, then it occurred to me to check
>> the pixel pitch. I really don't want to spend thousands of dollars to make
>> my remaining birding years worse. Any advice greatly appreciated.
>> The picture attached (I'm thinking red tailed hawk) is taken at the limit
>> of my D7200 rig.) I hope this image clarifies my dilemma. Image taken in
>> North Boulder CO on 2 24 2026.
>> [image: For_id_shrp_crop_DSC1495 copy.jpg]
>>
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>
>
> --
> Kevin Schutz
>
>
>
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