Upgrade Guide

Nikon D850→Nikon Z7 II

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

You own

Nikon

D850

£2199

2017

→

Upgrade to

Nikon

Z7 II

£2699 (+£500)

2020

✅

Worthwhile

Clear improvements over the D850. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.

What's new in the Z7 II

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	D850	Z7 II
Price	£2,199	£2,699
Released	2017	2020	↑
Sensor	45.7MP full-frame BSI-CMOS	45.7MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS
Resolution	46MP	46MP
Video	4K UHD/30p, 1080p/120p	4K/60p, 4K/30p (oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion
Autofocus	153-point AF system (99 cross-type) — Multi-CAM 20K	Phase-detect, 493 points, Eye AF, subject tracking
Stabilisation	None (relies on VR lenses)	5-axis IBIS, 5 stops (up to 6 stops with VR lenses)
Burst Rate	9fps (7fps with tilt screen AF)	10fps mechanical, 10fps electronic	↑
Battery Life	~1840 shots (CIPA) — outstanding	~420 shots (CIPA)	↓
Weight	915g body only	705g (body, battery, card)	↑
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	Optical pentaprism — 0.75× magnification, 100% coverage	EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification
Screen	3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.36M dots	3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.1M dots
Mount	Nikon F mount	Nikon Z-mount
Memory Cards	Dual slots — XQD and SD UHS-II	Dual card: 1× CFexpress Type B / XQD + 1× SD UHS-II

Compare side-by-side

See D850 and Z7 II next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

Get a personalised upgrade score

Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the Z7 II against your specific genres — not just specs.

Other upgrades from the D850

Related buying guides

Camera family history