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Home → Cameras and Lenses

Nikon D850 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

By Nasim Mansurov 63 Comments
Last Updated On February 17, 2019

With the release of the Nikon D850, one might be wondering how the Canon 5D Mark IV would compare to it side-by-side in terms of specifications, since both compete directly with one another. The Canon 5D Mark IV was announced almost exactly a year earlier in August of 2016, so it is a fairly recent release that will most likely not be updated for at least several more years. Now please keep in mind that such camera comparisons do not take into account lenses, accessories and other systems differences, so I ask that our readers take such comparisons with a grain of salt. It would be foolish to change systems every time a better camera comes out, because manufacturers like Nikon and Canon are known to leapfrog each other every few years!

Nikon D850 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Let’s take a look at the specifications of both cameras in more detail. Additional commentary on the data is provided below.

Nikon D850 vs Canon 5D Mark IV Specification Comparison

Camera FeatureNikon D850Canon 5D Mark IV
Sensor Resolution45.7 MP30.4 MP
Sensor TypeBSI CMOSCMOS
Sensor Size35.9×23.9mm36.0×24.0mm
Low-Pass FilterNoYes
Sensor Pixel Size4.35µ5.36µ
Image Size8,256 x 5,5046,720 x 4,480
Image ProcessorEXPEED 5DIGIC 6+
Buffer: RAW 14-bit Lossless Compressed5121
Native ISO SensitivityISO 64-25,600ISO 100-32,000
Boosted ISO SensitivityISO 32, ISO 51,200-102,400ISO 50, ISO 51,200-102,400
Dust Reduction / Sensor CleaningYesYes
Viewfinder TypePentaprismPentaprism
Viewfinder Coverage and Magnification100%, 0.75x100%, 0.71x
Built-in FlashNoNo
Storage Media1x QXD, 1x SD (UHS-II)1x CF, 1x SD (UHS-I)
Continuous Shooting Speed7.0 fps, 9.0 fps with MB-D187.0 fps
Max Shutter Speed1/8000 to 30 sec1/8000 to 30 sec
AE Bracketing Range±3 EV±3 EV
Flash Sync Speed1/2501/200
Shutter Durability200,000 cycles150,000 cycles
Exposure Metering Sensor181,000-pixel RGB sensor150,000-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor
Number of AF Points153 AF points, 99 cross-type61 AF points, 41 cross-type
AF Detection Range-4 to +20 EV-3 to +18 EV
Auto AF Fine-TuneYesNo
Focus PeakingYesNo
Focus StackingYesNo
Video Maximum Resolution3,840 x 2,160 (4K) @ up to 30 fps4,096 x 2,160 (4K) @ up to 30 fps
Video Crop Factor1.0x1.74x
Audio RecordingBuilt-in stereo microphone
External stereo microphone (optional)
Built-in stereo microphone
External stereo microphone (optional)
Headphone JackYesYes
LCD Size and Type3.2″ Tilting Touchscreen LCD3.2″ Touchscreen LCD
Dual Pixel AFNoYes
Dual Pixel RAWNoYes
LCD Resolution2,359,000 dots1,620,000 dots
Built-in GPSNoYes
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYesNo
Battery Life1840 shots (CIPA)900 shots (CIPA)
Button IlluminationYesNo
Weather Sealed BodyYesYes
USB Version3.03.0
Weight (Body Only)915g800g
Dimensions146.0 x 124.0 x 78.5mm150.7 x 116.4 x 75.9mm
MSRP Price$3,299 (as introduced)$3,499 (as introduced)

Obviously the two cameras are made to serve different purposes. The Nikon D850 has a high-resolution 45.7 MP sensor that competes more with the Canon 5DS R (50.6 MP), rather than the Canon 5D Mark IV, which only has a 30.4 MP sensor. Nikon D850 has a superior back-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor and at ISO 64, it is known to yield exceptional dynamic range – something Canon typically struggles with. Without a low-pass filter, the D850 yields very sharp and detailed images, making it an ideal choice for landscape, macro and wildlife photography. In comparison, the Canon 5D Mark IV looks more like a general-purpose camera that is primarily aimed at portrait photographers.

Aside from that, there are very few areas where the Canon 5D Mark IV can hold its ground against the Nikon D810. Nikon has done a phenomenal job with the D850 and it really shows when one looks at a chart like this, since it highlights where Nikon was aiming with the announcement. Clearly, Nikon’s goal was to make sure that the Canon 5D Mark IV stays out of the competition, and as you can see from the chart, Nikon beats Canon pretty much on every major spec. It has a larger viewfinder, much better storage media options, an option to increase continuous shooting rate by 2 fps to get to a total of 9 fps, better flash sync speed, better shutter durability, better AF system, larger AF detection range, 4K video without any cropping, a tilting LCD screen, a far superior battery life and a lower price point.

Where the Canon 5D Mark IV comes out is its Dual Pixel AF system, which takes advantage of the phase detection pixels on the sensor when shooting in live view mode, allowing the camera to focus quickly and accurately on subjects. I wish Nikon implemented something similar, because its contrast-only live view focusing is extremely slow in comparison. Another feature Nikon has been consistently missing is GPS. Canon has done a great job by integrating a GPS chip into the 5D Mark IV and I really wish Nikon did it on the D850, since it is such a needed feature for travel and landscape photography. Lastly, the Canon 5D Mark IV is noticeably lighter (with roughly about 115 gram difference) and it is physically smaller in comparison to the Nikon D850.

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Filed Under: Cameras and Lenses Tagged With: Canon, Nikon, Canon 5D Mark IV, Nikon D850

About Nasim Mansurov

Nasim Mansurov is the author and founder of Photography Life, based out of Denver, Colorado. He is recognized as one of the leading educators in the photography industry, conducting workshops, producing educational videos and frequently writing content for Photography Life. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. Read more about Nasim here.

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tom
tom
June 8, 2019 1:08 am

Jay Maisel uses a 12Mp D3s and the 28-300 zoom.

www.peachpit.com/artic…8;seqNum=2

He sells his prints for $2,500

So much for tech specs and gear comparisons

1
Reply
AM
AM
October 5, 2017 8:21 am

No doubt, Nikon and Canon are good for one another: without this ongoing competition, we would not see the innovation come so fast and furiously. They are in the business of selling camera equipment and the technology changes motivate people to replace products sooner than they really should.

Any camera review should start with the photographer’s goals. If your current equipment is meeting your needs, don’t get caught up in the flavours of today. You can broke trying to keep up with the constant innovation. Spend more time on assessing what your needs are, and concentrate on learning what the existing camera body can do. No amount of technology is going to compensate for lousy composition skills.

And remember, while the new body might look great hanging around your neck, in the end, it’s the images that matter. As a pro-sports photographer once told me on a golf course: “there are a lot of very expensive cameras out there, taking a lot of poorly composed pictures.”

1
Reply
Harry Joseph
Harry Joseph
December 29, 2018 12:19 am

Nikon has consistently beat Canon when it comes to cameras since the D200. I’m wondering when canon is going to wake up. Things like a “rate” button are mind boggling. The Dynamic range of the Nikon cameras is the dagger in the heart of Canon. With that said, I have too much invested in Canon gear. This includes lenses and Flash units. Another thing is i’m not getting any younger. I can only look with envy and sometimes disappointment, something i have been doing since the early 2000’s. Sure there was a surge with the 5D classic and also the 5D II which introduced video but overall Nikon has been kicking Canon’s butt for the longest sorry to say. One good thing I have to say about Canon is their ‘L’ series lenses and the way they render the final image in that they come out on top.

0
Reply
David C
David C
Reply to  Harry Joseph
January 20, 2021 2:57 am

Also when will Canon put the power switch on the right aide of the camera like Nikon and all other camera makers. Not to mention all the rest of the bad ergo that Canon clings to.

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Reply
Paul Mann
Paul Mann
December 24, 2017 9:18 am

I have seen the Canon 5D mark IV priced at $2599. Who wants to spend $2800 for a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E lens?
How much time are you spending in Lightroom with Nikon vs Canon? I have spent many many hours trying to get the
pink out of Nikon skin tones while trying to avoid green. If I don’t have to do that with Canon, then I want Canon.
I don’t need 45 MP. It just takes forever to move from one image to the next in full-screen mode in Lightroom.

0
Reply
David C
David C
Reply to  Paul Mann
January 20, 2021 2:58 am

Funny I hate canon color science for the weird red skin tones.

0
Reply
Japan only
Japan only
October 28, 2017 4:34 pm

I would never buy a Made in Thailand junk, and don’t give me that story about their Japan management and QC at the factory overseeing the production.

It will never be the same as if they are made in Japan.

Quality and working ethic of a Thailand low wage worker cannot match the Japan worker. Give some respect to the buyers shelling out $4K for the camera and make it in Japan. Not to mention the plasticky lenses crap made in china like the 105mm 1.4 costing $1,5K, and sensor made by sony. What a joke! Nikon is a mess.

I have the D700, that’s made like it should be, but I guess I will be going for the Canon as my next camera. And Nikon, make some decent 135mm prime lens, we all had it enough with the sluggish outdated 135 dc to match the Lord of the rings 135 f/2 Canon has.

0
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Ransford Abakah-Arthur
Ransford Abakah-Arthur
October 26, 2017 5:49 pm

Am a new new photographer with less than 500$ camera budget. I need help on the type of camera to buy

0
Reply
Glenn Cummings
Glenn Cummings
October 4, 2017 2:00 pm

Kirk…you summed it up perfectly. I couldn’t agree with you more. How wet is wet? I too believe we’ve hit the pinnacle in regards to what our cameras are capable of and the ability of the photographers themselves .

Currently I have the 5D4 with “L” lenses and am still lured into the D850 for landscapes. Does it really make sense to switch? Other than the D850 not having a low pass filter, am I truly going to see any significant improvements in sharpness? Doubtful.

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Ron Day
Ron Day
Reply to  Glenn Cummings
May 29, 2020 9:31 am

Depends on how much you enlarge/crop your image. It can be noticeable.

1
Reply
Happy
Happy
October 2, 2017 12:33 pm

D850 or 5d iv which one buy for wedding photography ?

0
Reply
Ron Day
Ron Day
Reply to  Happy
May 29, 2020 9:31 am

easy … 5D Mk4.

-1
Reply
David C
David C
Reply to  Happy
January 20, 2021 3:01 am

D850. The canon has the worst button layout like a power switch on thw wrong side of the camera. Also the Nikon has better battery life

0
Reply
Ertan Ozturk
Ertan Ozturk
September 7, 2017 12:29 am

I am curious about the DR and high ISO. 5D IV’s DR and shadow recovery are very good, maybe only 1/2 stops behind D810 but Mark IV is much better after ISO3200 (both DR and noise).

0
Reply
Murali Dhar
Murali Dhar
Reply to  Ertan Ozturk
September 9, 2017 11:29 am

have been ardent fan of Nikon for about 24years now. I enjoyed shooting with D70..D200 ..D700..D800 and now D810…
the skin tone of 5DIII is especially worth appreciating, especially in wedding photography. this is more so for Indian’s skin.
May be for this reason Canon’s 5DIII and 5Div were huge hit in India, than elsewhere in the world…
Nikon seems to be weak in producing good skin tones..it fails to give me color seperation (tonal gradation of color)on the face. One should
go for post prod in LR for getting better results…

0
Reply
Eli
Eli
September 5, 2017 11:55 am

Ok, there is enough said about Mark IV vs D850. What’s is your opition when it comer to lets say Sony a7 series or maybe even a future release of new a7?

0
Reply

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