Decision tools · Compare

D810 vs D850

Quick take: The D850 has the highest resolution at 46MP; the D810 is the most affordable.

16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras

How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.

Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more

Verdictwhich should you buy?

D850 — Landscape, Wildlife & Professional Studio Photography: The finest DSLR ever made — 45MP, 9fps, and nearly 2000 shots per charge in a body that still outperforms most mirrorless cameras for battery life.

Who should buy what
D850 (2017)
is the right camera for you if…
  • Nikon F-mount lens owners who want the highest resolution DSLR before switching to mirrorless
  • Landscape and wildlife photographers who value the optical viewfinder and outstanding battery life
  • Professional photographers who need 45MP resolution without the price of a medium format system
  • Photojournalists and event photographers with a large F-mount lens investment
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
Specification D810Nikon · 2014D850Nikon · 2017
Price £348Best£2,399
Sensor 36.3MP full-frame CMOS45.7MP full-frame BSI-CMOS
Resolution 36.3MP45.7MPBest
Video Full HD 1080p/604K UHD/30p, 1080p/120p
Autofocus 51-point phase-detect (15 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view153-point AF system (99 cross-type) — Multi-CAM 20K
Stabilisation No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only)None (relies on VR lenses)
Burst Rate 5fps9fps (7fps with tilt screen AF)Best
Battery Life ~1200 shots (CIPA)~1840 shots (CIPA) — outstandingBest
Weight 980g (with battery)915g (body only)Best
Dimensions 146 × 123 × 81.5mm146 × 124 × 78.5mm
Weather Sealed YesYes
Viewfinder Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7xOptical pentaprism — 0.75× magnification, 100% coverage
Screen 3.2" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.36M dots
Mount Nikon F mountNikon F mount
Memory Cards Dual slots: CompactFlash + SDDual slots — XQD and SD UHS-II
Connectivity USB 3.0, mini HDMI, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacks, 10-pin remoteUSB 3.0, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacks

Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.

How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
D810
D850
Portrait
6.3/10
6.8/10
Street
4.6/10
4.9/10
Travel
4.7/10
5.0/10
Wedding & Events
6.8/10
7.2/10
Documentary
5.4/10
5.8/10
Sports & Action
5.8/10
6.5/10
Landscape
6.0/10
6.7/10
Wildlife
5.9/10
6.4/10
Casual
2.8/10
3.6/10
Food
4.5/10
5.8/10
Macro
4.0/10
5.5/10
Architecture
5.6/10
6.4/10
Astrophotography
6.0/10
6.3/10
Filmmaking
—
5.6/10

Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →

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