- Nikon-designed back-side illuminated (BSI) full-frame image sensor with no optical low-pass filter
- 45.7 megapixels of extraordinary resolution, outstanding dynamic range and virtually no risk of moiré
- Up to 9 fps1 continuous shooting at full resolution with full AF performance
- 8K2 and 4K time-lapse movies with new levels of sharpness and detail
- Tilting touchscreen, Focus Shift shooting mode, outstanding battery performance and much more
- 4K Ultra HD video recording, slow motion up to 120 FPS at 1080p
Nikon D850 FX-format Digital SLR Camera Body
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Screen Size 3.2 in -
Focus Type automatic_only -
Item Dimensions 3.1 x 5.8 x 4.9 in -
Item Weight 2.02 lbs -
Megapixels 45.7 megapixels -
Optical Zoom 1x -
Photo Sensor Size full_frame -
Video Capture Resolution 4k -
Viewfinder optical viewfinder
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R. Schedlbauer
5.0 out of 5 starsA True Step up in Nikons Lineup
September 15, 2017Style: Body Only|Configuration: Base|Verified Purchase
I have now had the camera for a few days and wanted to give my initial thoughts on the D850. I am upgrading from the D810 and will give the review from this perspective.
The overall feel is very similar with a few small changes. The grip feels thinner but deeper and most people find it more pleasant. FOr some reason I actually preferred the D810 grip. The D850 grip sort of has a square feeling in my hand.
The button layout is a little different and overall I would say better. I prefer the ISO button on the right so you can make all major adjustments with the same hand. The joystick is much better for changing focus points. This could get annoying with the trackpad when you had to make larger focus point adjustments. The joystick makes this a quick process.
I love the tiltscreen and what it allows me to do. I shoot a lot of landscape and I will no longer have to bend or lay down to get a shot. It also allows overhead shots that can really change perspective.
The illuminated buttons are a welcomed addition. I shoot at night and its a nice option to have.
Image quality is amazing. You can see the difference in detail compared to the D810. Its not a huge jump but noticeable. I also think ISO 64 is cleaner on the D850. When raising shadows the colors are truer and the detail is not lost.
Some people have reported over a 1 stop gain in HIGH ISO. I don't believe this is true but I do think the D850 has cleaner High ISO shots. I do a lot of nightscapes and the D850 is definitely cleaner at ISO 3200- 6400. There is still noise to deal with but it is better. One area the D810 had issues with was hot pixels with long exposures. The D850 has greatly improved in this area. There is a few but it is much improved.
Overall if you were happy with the image quality of the D810 or D750 you will not be disappointed with the D850. Don't expect a huge improvement because the D810 and D750 were already amazing with IQ.
I haven't had a lot of chances to test the Auto focus system but I fully expect it to be tons better than the D810. I can say that the camera does a ton better focusing in lowlight. THe D810 struggled with this and I have yet to try and focus on something with the D850 and had it hunt for focus.
Some other features I really enjoy:
The focus stack feature has tons of potential. I have played with it a little and it really makes focus stacking a lot easier. I used it for a landscape scene but I am sure it will be great for macro.
I love the focus peaking feature for stills. I use manual focus lenses and it really does change the success rate with fast manual lenses. I am so happy this feature has been added.
The viewfinder is larger and looks nice but don't expect a huge difference. Its a small improvement.
The silent mode will come in handy but it takes getting used to. I would stand there wondering if I just took a shot because its completely silent. This is mostly awkward when doing long exposures because you end up touching the camera to check while its still taking the photo.
Overall the D850 is a definite winner and I think almost all buyers will be thrilled with it. If you plan to take advantage of the 7-9FPS I suggest investing in the XQD card.
I do wish Nikon would make the custom buttons even more customizable. There is still a lot of restrictions that seem so easy to correct. -
givpilot
VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 starsSuperb!
September 8, 2017Style: Body Only|Configuration: Base
This is a review of a true production D850, not the pre-production versions.
Executive Summary: simply fantastic!
And now to the details:
I am not a big fan of digital photography; I’m an old fashioned film guy that still shoots with a Hasselblad and 4X5. I somewhat reluctantly bought a Nikon Df as my first “good” digital camera only because of its retro styling. It resembled my F3HP’s.
But having said that, the D850 has won me over. This camera offers the resolution that rivals film and an amazing ISO range. Combine that with high speed operation and the convenience of digital capture and I’ve probably shot my last roll of 35mm film. I’m still going to keep my medium and large format cameras, but holly cow, the images from this camera are simply superb!
I’m a landscape, nature and environmental portrait photographer, so this review should be viewed in that context. I don’t shoot sports, weddings nor do product photography so the specific needs of those photographers are foreign to me. The features that I discuss are important to me, but there may be some missing that are important to you.
Some of my favorite things, in no particular order:
1. The aforementioned resolution is simply fantastic! The capture of details is truly amazing. It’s not 4X5 quality, but it certainly approaches that. And think of all the images one can capture with this camera as opposed to the shots missed with medium and large format gear due to the hassles of lugging it around.
2. The viewfinder is extraordinarily bright. Brilliant!
3. Terrific ability to recover underexposed and shadow areas with very little noise. Far better than I’ve ever seen with other digital capture cameras.
4. Autofocus works extremely well even in low contrast scenes.
5. ISO range is entirely usable. Noise certainly increases at the higher ISO settings, but it is not objectionable.
My only criticism of the camera is that it is big and heavy. It has to be, I suppose, to squeeze in all that technology; nonetheless, it would be nice if it were a bit smaller.
With respect to size, I did get a chance to shoot it side by side with my friends D810. The D850 did sit better in the hand than the D810. The D850 felt a bit heavier, but more comfortable to hold. I believe that was because the D850 is a bit thinner with a deeper hand grip area. At least that’s the way it felt. I won’t do a comparison between the D810 and the D850 because I don’t have any depth of experience with the D810. All I’ll say is that when we compared images side by side in Lightroom, the D850 images were superior in all cases. Not hugely so, mind you, but even my friend agreed the D850 was the undisputed winner.
With only a few days logged with the camera, those are my initial observations. You’ll notice I said nothing about the D850’s video capabilities and that’s because what I don’t know about shooting video would fill an encyclopedia (remember those?). I’ll leave that to those that know what they’re talking about.
But, as a still photographer for some 45+ years now, I couldn’t be happier with the D850. The image quality is stunning. And if that’s all it offered, it would be worth the price of admission. But it also has a host of other features — of which I’m sure you’ve already read — that make this a true standout. I’m so glad I acquired one. I’ll keep my Df because I like the size and the retro styling and I’ll keep my medium and large format cameras just because, but the D850 is going to be my go to camera. And from a film die hard, that’s quite a statement. -
5.0 out of 5 starsAmazing!
ByOutisTop Contributor: Photographyon January 30, 2018
Style: Body Only|Configuration: Base|Verified Purchase
I waited months for this thing.
From what I have experienced so far, it is totally awesome.
Bumping my 800e to back up/second lens camera.
Not crazy about some of the changes to button locations.
Given all the work that goes into learning user interfaces,
why not stay with a button/switch configuration until new
features are added?
Not happy that all buttons do not light up for astro/night
photography: only the ones on the back left of the camera
do, so you still need a headlight (or something). That seemed
like a bit of hyperbole in their advertising. Not totally "false."
Just a bit misleading.
Two bonuses are that I get to use the same batteries from the
d800e (no one answered that question, so I had to buy the camera
so I could tell you) and my ace-in-the-hole never-fail remote
SMDV RFN-4s Slim Wireless Remote Shutter Cable Release, Transmitter, and Receiver Kit for Nikon Camera for Nikon D800, D800e, D4, D3, D2, D1, D300, D300s, and D200 (Replaces Nikon Cable MC-30).
I'm still testing the camera and will be for a while.
But frankly, I couldn't be more excited by what I have seen so far.
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