The Nikon D850 is a full-frame DSLR and the Nikon Zf is a much newer full-frame mirrorless camera. Both have similar capabilities, albeit with different resolutions, and much different designs. If you’re in the market for a full-frame camera, will the venerable D850 suit your needs or will the Zf be significantly better?
Nikon D850 vs Nikon Zf Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon D850 | Nikon Zf |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | July 2017 | September 2023 |
| Camera Type | DSLR | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 5 | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 45.7 MP | 24.5 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 8256×5504 | 6048×4032 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 4.35µ | 5.94µ |
| 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 64,000 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 32-102,400 | ISO 50-204,800 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | Yes |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | No | Yes (JPEG only) |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/8000 | 1/8000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 7 FPS | 14 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 7 FPS | 14 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | Up to 9 FPS with MB-D18 grip | 14 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 200 frames (7 FPS) | Over 200 frames |
| Autofocus System | Phase Detect | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition |
| Autofocus Points | 153 | 273 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -4 EV | -8.5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 | 1/200 |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 8 bits | 10 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 8 bits | 10 bits |
| Raw Video | No | No |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 30 FPS | 60 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 120 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | No | 1.5x crop at 4K 60p (4K 30p has no additional crop) |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External) | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 30 min | 125 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | CFExpress Type B | SD (UHS-II) |
| Slot 2 Type | SD (UHS-II) | Micro SD (UHS-I) |
| 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 | Fully Articulating |
| 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 | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Battery Type | EN-EL15a | EN-EL15c |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 1840 frames | 360 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | N/A1 | 380 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | N/A | 430 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 1005 g (2.22 lbs.) | 710 g (1.57 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 146 x 124 x 79 mm (5.7 x 4.9 x 3.1″) | 144 x 103 x 59 mm (5.7 x 4.1 x 2.3″)2 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $3000 (Check Current Price) | $2000 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices (Affiliate) | Nikon D850 Used Prices | Nikon Zf Used Prices |
| 1Not specified by Nikon | ||
| 2The Nikon Zf’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 10mm were added to the Zf’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
Summary and Recommendations
The Nikon D850 is one of Nikon’s best DLSRs, and yet six years separate it from the Nikon Zf. Does that mean the Nikon D850 is obsolete? No way. The D850 still has great autofocus and great handling, and it can definitely still handle almost any situation.
The Nikon D850 has also got a 45.7MP sensor, versus the 24MP sensor of the Nikon Zf. That means for applications like wildlife, the D850 will often be a superior choice. And although the Zf has some autofocus improvements such as eye-AF, made possible by its mirrorless design, these two cameras are fairly comparable in AF abilities.
That makes the D850 superior in certain situations, and as a wildlife photographer, I would choose it over the Nikon Zf. That’s especially reinforced by the Nikon Zf’s retro design, which not as practical as the design of the D850.
That being said, the Nikon Zf has some significant advantages over the D850, and is probably a better camera for the general shooter. For one, you’ve got the obvious mirrorless advantages such as the electronic viewfinder and the more accurate autofocus. It’s also got some subject recognition modes that the D850 lacks.
And of course, the Zf is a very capable video camera, whereas I wouldn’t use the D850 for video at all.
When it comes to a choice between these two cameras, it’s a bit of a tough one. For someone looking for a wildlife kit or sports kit, I think the D850 is an amazing deal, especially at the prices it goes for used. On the other hand, as a general purpose camera, I’d go for the Zf. Not only can the Zf use Nikon’s Z-mount lenses that are generally superior to their older F-mount counterparts, but it is lighter and has all those mirrorless advantages like silent shutter that should make it superior for most people.
What does the Nikon D850 offer over the Nikon Zf?
- 1.87 times more megapixels (45.7MP vs 24.5MP)
- Better battery life when using the viewfinder, with approximately 1480 more shots according to CIPA measurements
- Better handling
What does the Nikon Zf offer over the Nikon D850?
- In-body image stabilization, allowing for easier handheld photography even with non-stabilized lenses
- Better video
- Lighter weight (295g lighter or about 1.4 times lighter)
- Lower MSRP, although you can get really good used copies of the Nikon D850
Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
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