Nikon D850 Review

Review Date: November 27, 2017

Category: Advanced to Pro

Nikon D850

Nikon D850

Photoxels Editor's Choice 2017 - DSLR
Photoxels Editor’s Choice 2017 – DSLR

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Nikon D850 Review is based on a production model. All sample images are unretouched, except where specified.

The most well-rounded Nikon DSLR yet. The Nikon D850 is Nikon’s newest full-frame DSLR with some of the most desirable and advanced features of the flagship D5. Whereas, in the past, you may have had to choose between one or another Nikon DSLR, depending on whether you favor sports, landscape or wildlife photography, Nikon engineers have built the D850 to be versatile, so much so that it can handle a wide variety of photographic situations, and it does so impressively. This is one camera where the features you read on paper match its capability (and usability) in the field. The game changer for many photographers will be the sensor’s high resolution paired with impressive speed and performance.

The D850 is built of rugged magnesium alloy and carbon fiber materials and features dust and water-drop resistance. Handling is superb with a deeper handgrip and DSLR users will feel at ease with the level of manual controls provided. It features 45.7MP, Continuous Shooting at 7fps (9fps with the optional Multi Battery Power Pack), ISO 64-25600, the 153 point AF system derived from the flagship D5, 4K UHD video at 30/25/24p with stereo sound, built-in HDR, PASM modes, and the ability to customize it to pretty much the way you like to shoot.

Image quality is excellent at the low ISOs and noise is non-existent up to ISO 1600. At higher ISOs up to 6400, noise is manageable. RAW and a whole range of semi-auto and full manual shooting modes are available for the advanced photographer.

Live View is improved on the beautiful 3.2-in. (2.36M-dot) tiltable touchscreen LCD. New are illuminated buttons. The only downsides of a DSLR remain size and weight (when compared to a mirrorless), but if these are not negatives in your book, the advantages of a full-frame DSLR tempt you, and you are looking for something versatile, then the Nikon D850 is no-contest the full-frame to consider. Highly recommmended.

Next: Nikon D850 Image Quality


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