Upgrade Guide
Nikon D5→Nikon D850
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the D5. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the D850
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Resolution46MP vs 21MP (+25MP)
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Generation1 year newer (2017 vs 2016)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | D5 | D850 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.8 | ||
| Street | +1.0 | ||
| Travel | +1.0 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +0.4 | ||
| Filmmaking | +0.1 | ||
| Documentary | +0.3 | ||
| Sports & Action | -0.2 | ||
| Landscape | +1.4 | ||
| Wildlife | -0.1 | ||
| Casual | +0.7 | ||
| Food | +1.5 | ||
| Macro | +1.9 | ||
| Architecture | +1.5 | ||
| Astrophotography | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | D5 | D850 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £864 used | £2,399 | |
| Released | 2016 | 2017 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 20.8MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 45.7MP full-frame BSI-CMOS | |
| Resolution | 21MP | 46MP | ↑ |
| Video | 4K UHD 30fps (heavy sensor crop) | 4K UHD/30p, 1080p/120p | |
| Autofocus | Multi-CAM 20K 153-point AF system, 99 cross-type | 153-point AF system (99 cross-type) — Multi-CAM 20K | |
| Stabilisation | — | None (relies on VR lenses) | |
| Burst Rate | 12fps mechanical | 9fps (7fps with tilt screen AF) | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~3780 shots (CIPA) | ~1840 shots (CIPA) — outstanding | ↓ |
| Weight | 1405g (body only) | 915g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | OVF 0.72× magnification, 100% coverage | Optical pentaprism — 0.75× magnification, 100% coverage | |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed touchscreen, 2.36M dots | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.36M dots | |
| Mount | Nikon F mount | Nikon F mount | |
| Memory Cards | Dual XQD slots (XQD variant) | Dual slots — XQD and SD UHS-II |
Compare side-by-side
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the D850 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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