Upgrade Guide

Nikon Z5→Nikon D850

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

You own

Nikon

£999

2020

→

Upgrade to

Nikon

D850

£2199 (+£1,200)

2017

✅

Worthwhile

Clear improvements over the Z5. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.

What's new in the D850

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	Z5	D850
Price	£999	£2,199
Released	2020	2017	↓
Sensor	24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS	45.7MP full-frame BSI-CMOS
Resolution	24MP	46MP	↑
Video	4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p	4K UHD/30p, 1080p/120p
Autofocus	Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection	153-point AF system (99 cross-type) — Multi-CAM 20K
Stabilisation	IBIS — up to 5 stops	None (relies on VR lenses)
Burst Rate	4.5fps	9fps (7fps with tilt screen AF)	↑
Battery Life	~470 shots (CIPA)	~1840 shots (CIPA) — outstanding	↑
Weight	590g (with battery)	915g body only	↓
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification	Optical pentaprism — 0.75× magnification, 100% coverage
Screen	3.2" tilting touchscreen	3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.36M dots
Mount	Nikon Z mount	Nikon F-mount (FX)
Memory Cards	Dual SD UHS-II slots	Dual slots — XQD and SD UHS-II

Compare side-by-side

See Z5 and D850 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

Get a personalised upgrade score

Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the D850 against your specific genres — not just specs.

Other upgrades from the Z5

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Camera family history