Upgrade Guide

Nikon Z6 II→Nikon D850

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

You own

Nikon

Z6 II

£1699

2020

→

Upgrade to

Nikon

D850

£2199 (+£500)

2017

✅

Worthwhile

Clear improvements over the Z6 II. 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	Z6 II	D850
Price	£1,699	£2,199
Released	2020	2017	↓
Sensor	24.5MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS	45.7MP full-frame BSI-CMOS
Resolution	24MP	46MP	↑
Video	4K/60p, 4K/30p (oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion	4K UHD/30p, 1080p/120p
Autofocus	Phase-detect, 273 points, Eye AF, subject tracking	153-point AF system (99 cross-type) — Multi-CAM 20K
Stabilisation	5-axis IBIS, 5 stops (up to 6 stops with VR lenses)	None (relies on VR lenses)
Burst Rate	14fps mechanical, 14fps electronic (12-bit RAW)	9fps (7fps with tilt screen AF)	↓
Battery Life	~410 shots (CIPA)	~1840 shots (CIPA) — outstanding	↑
Weight	705g (body, battery, card)	915g body only	↓
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification	Optical pentaprism — 0.75× magnification, 100% coverage
Screen	3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.1M dots	3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.36M dots
Mount	Nikon Z-mount	Nikon F-mount (FX)
Memory Cards	Dual card: 1× CFexpress Type B / XQD + 1× SD UHS-II	Dual slots — XQD and SD UHS-II

Compare side-by-side

See Z6 II 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 Z6 II

Related buying guides

Camera family history