The Nikon D850 brought a huge breath of fresh air into the Nikon lineup. So well-received was this camera that it remained backordered for nearly a year. Why the strong demand? While many individual improvements created demand for this camera, it is the overall combination of new and highly-desired features that make the D850 a must-have Nikon DSLR. This feature-filled camera is very well designed and built, has impressive ultra-high resolution image quality and, with the battery grip, delivers that image quality at 9 fps with impressive-performing AF ensuring that those images are sharp.
As we began planning for another strong Nikon lens testing push, I felt compelled to take that testing to the highest level possible. Most recently, we had been using a 33.6 MP Nikon D810 for that testing, but the 45.7 MP resolution of the Nikon D850 provides significantly greater magnification making lens flaws more-easily visible. At the very least, that sounded like a good excuse to try out the D850, determining if all the hype was warranted or if it was only a small flame being fanned.
Nikon D850 Full Specification
| Year Introduced | 2018 | |
| Megapixels | 45.7 | |
| Total Pixels | 46.9 | |
| Sensor Size | 35.9 x 23.9mm | |
| Pixel Dimensions | 8256 x 5504 | |
| Pixel Size | 4.35µm | |
| Diffraction-Limited Aperture | f/7.0 | |
| Sensor Stabilization | N | |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F | |
| FOVCF | 1.0x | |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 5 | |
| Autofocus | ||
| Type | Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 20K autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection and fine-tuning | |
| Points | 153 focus points (including 99 cross-type sensors and 15 sensors that support f/8), of which 55 (35 cross-type sensors and 9 f/8 sensors) are available for selection | |
| Working Range | EV-4 to EV 20 (ISO 100, 68°F/20°C) | |
| Modes | Continuous-servo (AF-C), Face-Priority AF, Full-time Servo (AF-F), Manual (M) with electronic rangefinder, Normal area AF, Predictive focus tracking activated automatically according to subject status, Single-servo AF (AF-S), Wide area available in Live View and D-Movie only | |
| Point Selection | 9, 25, 72, or 153 point Dynamic-area AF Auto-area AF Single-point AF 3D-tracking Group-area AF | |
| Microadjustment | Yes | |
| Exposure Control | ||
| Metering Modes | Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 12 mm circle in center of frame. Diameter of circle can be changed to 8, 15, or 20 mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame (non-CPU lenses use 12-mm circle) Matrix: 3D Color Matrix Metering III (type G, E, and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering III (other CPU lenses); Color Matrix Metering available with non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data Spot: Meters 4 mm circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used) Highlight-weighted: Available with type G, E, and D lenses | |
| Metering Range | -3 – 20 EV (Matrix or center-weighted metering) 2 – 20 EV (spot metering) 0 – 20 EV (Highlight-weighted metering) @ ISO 100, f/1.4 lens, 20 °C/68 °F | |
| Exposure Comp | ±5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV | |
| AEB | 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1, 2 or 3 EV | |
| ISO Sensitivity | ISO 64 – 25,600 Can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 EV (ISO 32 equivalent) below ISO 64 or to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, or 2 EV (ISO 102,400 equivalent) above ISO 25,600; auto ISO sensitivity control available | |
| Shutter Speed | 30 sec. to 1/8000 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV, Bulb, Time, X250 | |
| WB Settings | Auto (3 types) , Choose color temperature (2500K–10000K), Cloudy, Direct Sunlight, Fine-tuning, Flash, Fluorescent (7 types), Incandescent, Natural Light Auto, Preset manual (up to 6 values can be stored, spot white balance measurement available during live view), Shade | |
| Custom WB | Yes, 6 settings can be registered | |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Type | Eye-level Pentaprism Single-Lens Reflex Viewfinder | |
| Coverage | Approx. 100% | |
| Magnification | Approx. 0.75x | |
| Eyepoint | Approx. 17mm | |
| Information | Roll indicator AF Area Brackets Framing Grid Focus Points Pitch Indicator Flicker Detection Focus Indicator Metering AE Lock Shutter Speed Lock Shutter Speed AF Mode Aperture Lock Aperture (f-number and number of stops) | |
| DOF Preview | Yes (via Pv button) | |
| Eyepiece Shutter | Built in | |
| LCD | ||
| Type | 3.2″ (8cm), approx. 2359k-dot (XGA) tilting TFT touch-sensitive LCD | |
| Coating | ||
| Brightness Adj | Adjustable to one of five levels | |
| Display Options | (1) Quick Control Screen (2) Camera settings (3) Electronic Level | |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in GN | N/A (ISO 100, meters) | |
| Built-in Coverage | N/A | |
| Built-in Recycle Time | N/A | |
| Modes | Front-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, off | |
| X-Sync | 1/250sec | |
| Exposure Compensation | – 3.0 EV – +1 EV (switchable between 1/3 and 1/2 EV steps) | |
| Hot Shoe/PC Terminal | Yes / Yes | |
| External Flash Comp | Nikon Speedlight | |
| External Flash Control | Via camera setting/ flash setting menu | |
| Shooting | ||
| Shooting Modes | Aperture-Priority (A), Manual (M), Programmed auto with flexible program (P), Shutter-Priority Auto (S) | |
| Picture Styles | Auto, Flat, Landscape, Monochrome, Neutral, Portrait, Standard, Vivid | |
| Image Processing | D-Lighting Distortion Control Filter Effects Image Overlay Monochrome NEF (RAW) Processing Perspective Control Red-Eye Correction Resize Side-by-Side Comparison Straighten Trim Trim Movie | |
| Drive Modes | Continuous low-speed [CL] mode, Continuous high-speed [CH] mode, Mirror-up [Mup] mode, Quiet Shutter Release, Quiet Continuous Release, Self-timer Mode, Single-frame [S] mode | |
| Continuous Shooting | Max approx. 9 frames per second with EN-EL18b Battery inserted in a MB-D18 Power Pack; up to 7 frames per second with alternate power source | |
| Shutter Lag | ||
| Viewfinder Blackout | ||
| Live View | ||
| FrameRate | 60 fps | |
| Focusing | Contrast-detect AF anywhere in frame (camera selects focus point automatically when face-priority AF or subject-tracking AF is selected), Face-priority AF, Wide-area AF, Normal-area AF, Pinpoint AF, Subject-tracking AF | |
| Metering | TTL exposure metering using main image sensor | |
| Display Options | ||
| File Information | ||
| Still ImageType | Compliant with DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) 2.0 EXIF 2.31 (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras) | |
| Image Size | FX-format: (L) 8,256 x 5,504, (M) 6,192 x 4,128, (S) 4,128 x 2,752 1:2 format: (L) 6,880 x 4,584, (M) 5,152 x 3,432, (S) 3,440 x 2,288 5:4 format: (L) 6,880 x 5,504, (M) 5,152 x 4,120, (S) 3,440 x 2,752 1:1 format: (L) 5,504 x 5,504, (M)4,128 x 4,128, (S)2,752 x 2,752 DX-format: (L) 5,408 x 3,600, (M) 4,048 x 2,696, (S) 2,704 x 1,800 FX-format photographs taken during movie recording: (L) 8,256 x 4,640, (M) 6,192 x 3,480, (S) 4,128 x 2,320 DX-format photographs taken during movie recording: (L) 5,408 x 3,040, (M) 4,048 x 2,272, (S) 2,704 x 1,520 | |
| Movie Type | MOV/MP4, H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding, Linear PCM AAC Stereo Audio | |
| Movie Size | 4K UHD 3,840 x 2,160 – 30/25/24 fps Full HD 1,920 x 1,080 – 60/50/30/25/24 fps HD 1,280 x 720 – 60/50 fps Slow-motion: Full HD 1,920 x 1,080 30p/25p/24p Actual frame rates for 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, and 24p are 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, and 23.976 fps respectively Quality selection available at all sizes except 3,840 x 2,160 (when quality is fixed at high) and 1,920 x 1,080 slow-motion (when quality is fixed at normal) | |
| Movie Length | 29 minutes 59 seconds Each movie will be recorded across up to 8 files of up to 4 GB each. | |
| Other Information | ||
| Wireless Features | Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | |
| GPS | via optional GP-1/GP-1A | |
| Custom Functions | 55 Custom Settings | |
| LCD Panel / Illumination | Yes / Yes | |
| Water & Dust Resistance | Yes | |
| Sound Memo | No | |
| Interface | ||
| Computer Interface | SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0 Micro-B connector) | |
| Other Interface | Audio input: Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5 mm diameter; plug-in power supported) HDMI output: Type C mini-pin HDMI connector Headphone Connector Ten-pin remote terminal: Can be used to connect optional MC-30A/ MC-36A remote cords, ML-3 modulite remote control sets, WR-R10 (requires WR-A10 adapter) or WR-1 wireless remote controllers, or GP-1/ GP-1A GPS units | |
| Memory | ||
| Memory Type | XQD, Secure Digital (SDHC/SDXC UHS-II compliant) | |
| Batteries & Power | ||
| Battery | EN-EL15a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery | |
| Battery Life | Approx. 1,840 shots | |
| Power Supply Battery Chargers | MH-25a | |
| Physical Specs | ||
| Body Materials | Magnesium alloy and carbon fiber | |
| Shutter Durability Rating | 200,000 | |
| Operating Environment | 0–40 °C (32–104 °F), less than 85% humidity | |
| Dimensions Inches | 5.7 x 4.9 x 3.1″ (146.0 x 124.0 x 78.5mm) | |
| CIPA Weight | 32.3 oz (915g) | |
| Accessories | ||
| Viewfinder | DK-19 Rubber Eyecup, DK-17C Diopter-Adjustment Viewfinder, DK-17M Magnifying Eyepiece, DG-2 Eyepiece Magnifier (requires DK-18 adapter), DK-14/DK-17A Antifog Finder, DK17F Fluorine-Coated Finder, DR-5/DR-4 Right-Angle Viewing Attachment | |
| Wireless File Transmitter | Built-in | |
| Compatible Lenses | AF NIKKOR lenses, including type G, E, and D lenses (some restrictions apply to PC lenses), DX lenses, AI-P NIKKOR lenses, and non-CPU AI lenses (exposure modes A and M only). | |
| Battery Grip | MB-D18 | |
| Remote | MC-30A/ MC-36A |
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