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Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z9

Portability
54
Imaging
78
Features
87
Overall
81
Nikon D850 front
 
Nikon Z9 front
Portability
51
Imaging
82
Features
90
Overall
85

Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z9 Key Specs

Nikon D850
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Expand 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
  • Older Model is Nikon D810
Nikon Z9
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 1340g - 149 x 150 x 91mm
  • Launched October 2021
Photography Glossary

Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z9 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Nikon D850 and Nikon Z9, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Pro Mirrorless and both of them are offered by Nikon. The sensor resolution of the D850 (46MP) and the Z9 (46MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The D850 was launched 5 years before the Z9 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Nikon D850 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Nikon Z9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise overview of how the D850 grades against the Z9 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Nikon Z9

 D850 Z9 
Display resolution2359k2089kClearer display (+270k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Nikon D850

 Z9 D850 
LaunchedOctober 2021August 2017More recent by 50 months

Common features in the Nikon D850 and Nikon Z9

 D850 Z9 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimensions3.2"3.2"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z9 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon D850 has got external dimensions of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") with a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs) whilst the Nikon Z9 has proportions of 149mm x 150mm x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs).

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Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the D850 and the Z9.

Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z9 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D850 and Z9 is 54 and 51 respectively.

Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z9 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z9 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to imagine the difference in sensor measurements merely by seeing specifications. The graphic underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the D850 and Z9.

Plainly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos though you should really factor the release date of the cameras into account. The older D850 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z9 sensor size comparison

Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z9 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D850 Portrait photography details
Nikon Z9 Portrait photography details
86
has manual focus
high MP (46 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
89
you can focus manually
megapixel count fantastic (46MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D850
Street photography with Nikon Z9
66
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
provides touch to focus
environment proof
great ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (1,015 grams)
70
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
has touch focus
weather sealing
great high ISO (25,600)
heavier than others (1,340g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D850 Sports photography info
Nikon Z9 Sports photography info
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
high MP (46MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
great battery life (1,840 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
91
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
high max fps (30.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count fantastic (46 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
good battery power (740 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D850
Travel photography with Nikon Z9
65
great battery life (1,840 CIPA)
environment proof
has bluetooth
provides touch to focus
high MP (46MP)
heavier than competition in class (1,015 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
65
good battery power (740 CIPA)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
has touch focus
megapixel count fantastic (46MP)
heavier than others (1,340g)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D850
Landscape photography with Nikon Z9
82
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
high MP (46MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
great battery life (1,840 per charge)
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
87
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count fantastic (46MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
good battery power (740 CIPA)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D850 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon Z9 as a Vlogging camera
30
has touchscreen
supports face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external mic support
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (1,015g)
32
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
high video quality (7680 x 4320 pxls)
has mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than others (1,340g)
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Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D850 and Nikon Z9
 Nikon D850Nikon Z9
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D850 Nikon Z9
Category Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2017-08-24 2021-10-28
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS Stacked CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 46 megapixel 46 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 8256 x 5504 8256 x 5504
Maximum native ISO 25600 25600
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 102400
Lowest native ISO 64 64
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 32 32
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 153 493
Cross type focus points 99 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Nikon Z
Total lenses 309 29
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3.2" 3.2"
Screen resolution 2,359 thousand dots 2,089 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.75x 0.8x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 900s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s -
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 7680 x 4320 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, L
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 7680x4320
Video file format MPEG-4 H.264, H.265
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1015 grams (2.24 lb) 1340 grams (2.95 lb)
Physical dimensions 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 100 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 26.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 2660 not tested
Other
Battery life 1840 photos 740 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15a EN-EL18d
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD Dual CFexpress Type B slots
Card slots 2 2
Price at launch $2,997 $5,500