The Nikon D850 is one of Nikon’s best DLSRs, whereas the Z8 is probably the closest thing to the D850 in the mirrorless world, and is certainly one of the best mirrorless cameras for the money. Which one of these cameras should you get?
Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z8 Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon D850 | Nikon Z8 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | July 2017 | May 2023 |
| Camera Type | DSLR | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | Stacked CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 5 | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 45.7 MP | 45.7 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 8256×5504 | 8256×5504 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 4.35µ | 4.35µ |
| Low Pass Filter | No | No |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | No | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 64 | ISO 64 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 25,600 | ISO 25,600 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 32-102,400 | ISO 32-102,400 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | Yes |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | No | Yes (JPEG only) |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/8000 | 1/32000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 7 FPS | No mechanical shutter |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 7 FPS | 20 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | Up to 9 FPS with MB-D18 grip | 20 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS; DX JPEG at 60 FPS; 11 megapixel JPEG at 120 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 200 frames (7 FPS) | Over 1000 frames (20 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Phase Detect | Hybrid PDAF |
| Autofocus Points | 153 | 493 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -4 EV | -7.5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 | 1/200 |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 8 bits | 12 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 8 bits | 12 bits |
| Raw Video | No | Yes |
| 8K Maximum Framerate | N/A | 60 FPS |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 30 FPS | 120 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 120 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | No | No |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External) | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 30 min | 90 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | CFExpress Type B | CFExpress Type B |
| Slot 2 Type | SD (UHS-II) | SD (UHS-II) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.2 in | 3.2 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 2.36 million dots | 2.1 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Single Axis | Dual Axis |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Pentaprism / OVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.75x | 0.8x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | 3.69 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | No | Yes |
| 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 | Two Type C 3.2 Gen 2 ports |
| Battery Type | EN-EL15a | EN-EL15c |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 1840 frames | 330 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | N/A1 | 340 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | N/A | 370 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 1005 g (2.22 lbs.) | 910 g (2.01 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 146 x 124 x 79 mm (5.7 x 4.9 x 3.1″) | 144 x 119 x 88 mm (5.7 x 4.7 x 3.5″)2 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $3000 (Check Current Price) | $4000 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices | Nikon D850 Used Prices | Nikon Z8 Used Prices |
| 1Not specified by Nikon | ||
| 2The Nikon Z8’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 5mm were added to the Z8’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
Summary and Recommendations
The Nikon D850 is still a great camera. Heck, I’d still be happy to shoot with one! However, the Z8 does provide some notable advantages. For example, there is no doubt that the Z8 has better autofocus and speed, and that will be even more apparent when the Z8 uses native Z-mount lenses. In fact, the Z8 is closer to the Nikon D5 rather than the D850.
The Z8 has access to all the latest lenses that Nikon created for the Z-mount, and that’s hard to overstate. That’s especially important for wildlife and other long-lens users due to the unique telephoto lenses such as the Nikon 400mm f/4.5 and the 800mm f/6.3. Not only that, but the D850 has fairly primitive video whereas the Z8 is a video beast.
In some ways, the comparison is unfair. The Z8 costs so much more than the D850 even when comparing release MSRPs, so it’s rather obvious that the Z8 will be better.
However, the D850 still holds its own. It also has an optical viewfinder, and there is something special about shooting through it. The D850 also has better battery life, and if you are happy with F-mount lenses, there are very few genres that the D850 can’t shoot.
So what’s my recommendation? As a wildlife shooter, I would definitely go with the Z8 just because of the silent shutter, but I wouldn’t mind the more advanced AF and video either. On the other hand, if you’re looking for an awesome wildlife combo and don’t want to spend the eye-watering price for the Z8, the D850 with a used copy of the Nikon 500mm f/5.6 lens would be amazing, and if you get both used, it will cost about the same as a Z8!
What does the Nikon D850 offer over the Nikon Z8?
- Works natively with F-mount lenses
- Better battery life when using the viewfinder, with approximately 1510 more shots according to CIPA measurements
- Much lower price, costing $1000 less—you could get a second camera!
What does the Nikon Z8 offer over the Nikon D850?
- More advanced autofocus
- Much better video
- In-body image stabilization, allowing for easier handheld photography even with non-stabilized lenses
- Lighter weight (95g lighter)
Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
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If you need all these AI features, like face, bird, car, eyes, dogs, etc. etc. detection, new video formats and having enough money for some extra batteries, go for the Z8. If you need to focus in super low light environment and don’t want to look at a mini monitor better get a D850.
That’s a decent take!
I have a D850 and have seriously looked at the Z8, but do not want the different card types slowing down the shots using the motor drive. I use my second slot for back up. When I shoot wildlife I use live view and turn on mode 1 within the photo menu, so silence. I will wait for dual express card slots.