Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z5
54 Imaging
77 Features
87 Overall
81


62 Imaging
76 Features
86 Overall
80
Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 46MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Tilting Display
- ISO 64 - 25600 (Push to 102400)
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 1015g - 146 x 124 x 79mm
- Launched August 2017
- Succeeded the Nikon D810
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 102400)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Nikon Z Mount
- 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
- Launched July 2020

Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z5 Overview
Below is a extensive overview of the Nikon D850 versus Nikon Z5, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless and both of them are sold by Nikon. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the D850 (46MP) and Z5 (24MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (Full frame).

The D850 was released 3 years earlier than the Z5 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Nikon D850 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the D850 grades vs the Z5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z5 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon D850 and Nikon Z5. The complete galleries are available at Nikon D850 Gallery and Nikon Z5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Nikon Z5
D850 | Z5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 2359k | ![]() | 1040k | Crisper screen (+1319k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Nikon D850
Z5 | D850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2020 | ![]() | August 2017 | More recent by 35 months |
Common features in the Nikon D850 and Nikon Z5
D850 | Z5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 3.2" | Equivalent screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z5 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon D850 offers external measurements of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") having a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs) and the Nikon Z5 has specifications of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs).
Examine the Nikon D850 versus Nikon Z5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the D850 and the Z5.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the D850 and Z5 is 54 and 62 respectively.

Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z5 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements just by going over specs. The visual below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D850 and Z5.
All in all, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Nikon D850 to deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 22MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older D850 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z5 Specifications
Nikon D850 | Nikon Z5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Nikon |
Model | Nikon D850 | Nikon Z5 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced Mirrorless |
Launched | 2017-08-24 | 2020-07-20 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Expeed 5 | Expeed 6 |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 35.9 x 23.9mm | 35.9 x 23.9mm |
Sensor area | 858.0mm² | 858.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 46MP | 24MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 8256 x 5504 | 6016 x 4016 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 51200 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 102400 | 102400 |
Minimum native ISO | 64 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Minimum boosted ISO | 32 | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 153 | 273 |
Cross focus points | 99 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Nikon Z |
Number of lenses | 309 | 15 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Tilting | Tilting |
Display size | 3.2 inch | 3.2 inch |
Display resolution | 2,359 thousand dot | 1,040 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 3,690 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.75x | 0.8x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 7.0 frames/s | 4.5 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync | Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/250 secs | 1/200 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
Maximum video resolution | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 |
Video data format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | Yes |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 1015 gr (2.24 lb) | 675 gr (1.49 lb) |
Dimensions | 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") | 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 100 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 26.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 14.8 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 2660 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 1840 pictures | 470 pictures |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL15a | EN-EL15c |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs) | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) |
Storage slots | Dual | Dual |
Retail price | $2,997 | $1,399 |