The Nikon D850 is one of Nikon’s best DSLRs, whereas the Canon EOS R6 II Canon’s ideal combination of price and functionality for a full-frame mirrorless camera. Which one of these amazing cameras should you get?
Nikon D850 vs Canon EOS R6 II Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon D850 | Canon EOS R6 II |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | July 2017 | November 2022 |
| Camera Type | DSLR | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 5 | DIGIC X |
| Resolution | 45.7 MP | 24.2 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 8256×5504 | 6000×4000 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) | 36.0 x 24.0 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 4.35µ | 6.00µ |
| Low Pass Filter | No | Yes |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | No | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 64 | ISO 100 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 25,600 | ISO 102,400 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 32-102,400 | ISO 50-204,800 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | No |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | No | Yes |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/8000 | 1/16000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 7 FPS | 12 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 7 FPS | 40 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | Up to 9 FPS with MB-D18 grip | 12-bit raw at 40 FPS (14-bit raw is available at 12 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 200 frames (7 FPS) | 75 frames (40 FPS), 110 frames (12 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Phase Detect | Hybrid PDAF |
| Autofocus Points | 153 | 1053 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -4 EV | -5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 | 1/250 |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 8 bits | 10 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 8 bits | 12 bits |
| Raw Video | No | Yes, externally |
| 6K Maximum Framerate | N/A | 60 FPS1 |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 30 FPS | 60 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 180 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | No | No |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External) | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 30 min | 360 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | CFExpress Type B | SD (UHS-II) |
| Slot 2 Type | SD (UHS-II) | SD (UHS-II) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.2 in | 3.0 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 2.36 million dots | 1.62 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Single Axis | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Pentaprism / OVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.75x | 0.76x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | 3.69 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | No | No |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Micro B 3.0 | Type C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Battery Type | EN-EL15a | LP-E6NH |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 1840 frames | 320 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | N/A2 | 580 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | N/A | 760 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 1005 g (2.22 lbs.) | 670 g (1.48 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 146 x 124 x 79 mm (5.7 x 4.9 x 3.1″) | 138 x 98 x 88 mm (5.4 x 3.8 x 3.5″) |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $3000 (Check Current Price) | $2500 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices | Nikon D850 Used Prices | Canon EOS R6 II Used Prices |
| 1The Canon EOS R6 II supports 6K video, but only with an external recorder over HDMI | ||
| 2Not specified by Nikon | ||
Summary and Recommendations
Clearly, both the Nikon D850 and the Canon R6 II are amazing cameras, but there are some key differences between them. Both have capable autofocus, although the R6 II has some additional AF features like subject recognition that are lacking on the D850. The Nikon D850 is no slouch though, and is almost as capable as Nikon’s legendary D500.
The D850 has the advantage of the higher resolution, which makes it a bit more versatile when it comes to cropping, although the R6 II does have a higher burst rate. Speaking as a wildlife photographer, choosing between these two cameras would be a little tricky because of these trade-offs.
The Canon R6 II is by far the best when it comes to video. Not only can you actually look through the viewfinder when shooting video, which is impossible on the Nikon D850, but it has so much better video quality and tools. The R6 II not to mention will have much better autofocus in video compared to the D850, since Nikon’s live-view video traditionally has not been stellar.
The Nikon D850 is also a bit older and a DSLR, so you’ll probably be able to find it for a cheaper price used. If you already have some F-mount lenses lying around and want an amazing camera for still-only photography, it would be hard to go wrong with the Nikon D850. On the other hand, the Canon R6 II is a more future-proof camera, being currently supported by Canon, and it’s also an overall better camera for generalist purposes.
What does the Nikon D850 offer over the Canon EOS R6 II?
- 1.89 times more megapixels (45.7MP vs 24.2MP)
- Higher resolution rear display, with about 1.5x more dots, making image review in the field easier
- Better battery life when using the viewfinder, with approximately 1520 more shots according to CIPA measurements
What does the Canon EOS R6 II offer over the Nikon D850?
- Much better video features
- In-body image stabilization, allowing for easier handheld photography even with non-stabilized lenses
- Lighter weight (335g lighter or about 1.5 times lighter)
- Lower price, costing $500 less
Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
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