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Canon 50D vs Nikon D850

Portability
57
Imaging
53
Features
65
Overall
57
Canon EOS 50D front
 
Nikon D850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
77
Features
87
Overall
81

Canon 50D vs Nikon D850 Key Specs

Canon 50D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 822g - 146 x 108 x 74mm
  • Introduced October 2008
  • Earlier Model is Canon 40D
  • Refreshed by Canon 60D
Nikon D850
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1015g - 146 x 124 x 79mm
  • Introduced August 2017
  • Previous Model is Nikon D810
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Canon 50D vs Nikon D850 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Canon 50D vs Nikon D850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the 50D (15MP) and D850 (46MP) and the 50D (APS-C) and D850 (Full frame) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The 50D was unveiled 9 years earlier than the D850 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a simple summation of how the 50D scores against the D850 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 50D over the Nikon D850

 50D D850 

Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Canon 50D

 D850 50D 
IntroducedAugust 2017October 2008Newer by 107 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2359k920kClearer screen (+1439k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon 50D and Nikon D850

 50D D850 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Canon 50D vs Nikon D850 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Canon 50D has exterior dimensions of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs) whilst the Nikon D850 has specifications of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") and a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs).

Look at the Canon 50D vs Nikon D850 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the 50D compared to the D850.

Canon 50D vs Nikon D850 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 50D and D850 is 57 and 54 respectively.

Canon 50D vs Nikon D850 top view buttons comparison

Canon 50D vs Nikon D850 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions just by looking through specifications. The picture below will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the 50D and D850.

Plainly, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The 50D with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Nikon D850 will render greater detail having an extra 31MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged 50D will be behind in sensor technology.

Canon 50D vs Nikon D850 sensor size comparison

Canon 50D vs Nikon D850 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 50D vs Nikon D850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 50D Portrait photography details
Nikon D850 Portrait photography details
71
manual focus
good MP (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW files
86
manual focus
high sensor resolution (46 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon 50D
Street photography with Nikon D850
57
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
no moving screen
no image stabilization
66
has a tilting screen
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
supports touch focus
weather proofing
above average high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (1,015g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 50D Sports photography details
Nikon D850 Sports photography details
62
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
good MP (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
terrible battery power (800 CIPA)
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
high sensor resolution (46 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery pack (1,840 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon 50D Travel photography details
Nikon D850 Travel photography details
57
environment proof
good MP (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
terrible battery power (800 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
good battery pack (1,840 per charge)
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
supports touch focus
high sensor resolution (46MP)
more heavy than average in class (1,015g)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 50D Landscape photography details
Nikon D850 Landscape photography details
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good MP (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
no image stabilization
terrible battery power (800 CIPA)
82
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2")
high sensor resolution (46MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
good battery pack (1,840 CIPA)
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 50D Vlogging advice
Nikon D850 Vlogging advice
9
no video
29
touch screen
includes face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (1,015 grams)
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Canon 50D vs Nikon D850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 50D and Nikon D850
 Canon EOS 50DNikon D850
General Information
Brand Name Canon Nikon
Model type Canon EOS 50D Nikon D850
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2008-10-30 2017-08-24
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Expeed 5
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 46MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4752 x 3168 8256 x 5504
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Max enhanced ISO 12800 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO - 32
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 153
Cross type focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S Nikon F
Available lenses 326 309
Crop factor 1.6 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3.2"
Screen resolution 920k dots 2,359k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT liquid-crystal color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.75x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.3 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 822g (1.81 lbs) 1015g (2.24 lbs)
Dimensions 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 63 100
DXO Color Depth rating 21.8 26.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.4 14.8
DXO Low light rating 696 2660
Other
Battery life 800 photos 1840 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-511A EN-EL15a
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD
Card slots One 2
Price at release $996 $2,997