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Comparing Nikon D5 vs D850: Which Professional DSLR Camera Reigns?

If you are looking for a professional camera that can deliver stunning image quality, high performance, and versatile features, you might be interested in comparing the Nikon D5 vs D850. These are two of the most advanced DSLR cameras from Nikon, and they have a lot to offer for different types of photography.

But which one is better for your needs? How do they differ in terms of design, sensor, performance, features, lens, optics, videography, and photography? In this article, we will provide a detailed comparison of the Nikon D5 vs D850, and help you decide which one is the best choice for you.

Introduction to the Nikon D5 vs D850

The Nikon D850 and the Nikon D5 are both flagship models from Nikon, and they represent the pinnacle of DSLR technology. They are designed for professional photographers who demand the best image quality, speed, reliability, and functionality. They are also very expensive cameras, costing around $3,000 and $6,000 respectively. Therefore, choosing between them is not an easy decision, and it requires a careful evaluation of their strengths and weaknesses.

The Nikon D850 was released in 2017 as a successor to the popular Nikon D810. It is a full-frame DSLR camera that offers a stunning 45.7 megapixel resolution, a fast 7 fps continuous shooting speed (9 fps with battery grip), a high-end autofocus system with 153 points, a tilting touchscreen LCD monitor, dual memory card slots (XQD and SD), built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and 4K UHD video recording at 30 fps. The Nikon D850 is widely regarded as one of the best DSLR cameras ever made, and it is suitable for various types of photography, such as landscape, portrait, wedding, wildlife, sports, and more.

The Nikon D5 was released in 2016 as a successor to the Nikon D4S. It is also a full-frame DSLR camera that offers a lower but still impressive 20.8 megapixel resolution, a blazing 12 fps continuous shooting speed (14 fps with mirror up), a superior autofocus system with 153 points (99 cross-type), a fixed touchscreen LCD monitor, dual memory card slots (XQD or CF), built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, and 4K UHD video recording at 30 fps. The Nikon D5 is mainly designed for action photography, such as sports, wildlife, journalism, and events. It excels in low-light situations, high-speed tracking, and durability.

Overview of the Nikon D850 | Nikon D5 vs D850

The Nikon D850 is a versatile camera that can handle almost any photographic challenge. It has a large and high-resolution sensor that can capture incredible details and dynamic range. It has a fast and accurate autofocus system that can track moving subjects with ease. It has a robust and ergonomic body that can withstand harsh environments.

It has a lot of features that can enhance your creativity and workflow. Some of the notable features of the Nikon D850 are:

• A back-illuminated CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter that delivers stunning image quality with low noise and high sharpness.
• A powerful EXPEED 5 image processor that enables fast performance, high ISO sensitivity (up to 102400), and advanced image processing.
• A high-resolution optical viewfinder with 0.75x magnification that provides a clear and bright view of the scene.
• A tilting 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD monitor with 2.36 million dots that allows you to adjust settings, review images, and control focus points.
• A silent photography mode that uses an electronic shutter to eliminate shutter noise and vibration.
• A focus shift mode that automatically takes a series of images with different focus distances and combines them into a single image with extended depth of field.
• A time-lapse mode that can create 4K or 8K videos from still images taken at intervals.
• A multiple exposure mode that can overlay up to 10 images into one composite image.
• A built-in flash that can act as a commander for wireless flash control.
• A snapbridge app that can connect the camera to your smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for remote control, image transfer, geotagging, and more.

Overview of the Nikon D5 | Nikon D5 vs D850

The Nikon D5 is a powerhouse camera that can capture fast action with ease. It has a smaller but faster sensor that can deliver excellent image quality in low light conditions. It has a superior autofocus system that can track moving subjects with precision. It has a rugged and durable body that can endure tough situations.

It has a lot of features that can optimize your performance and efficiency. Some of the notable features of the Nikon D5 are:

• A front-illuminated CMOS sensor with an optical low-pass filter that delivers excellent image quality with low noise and high sensitivity.
• A powerful EXPEED 5 image processor that enables fast performance, high ISO sensitivity (up to 3280000), and advanced image processing.
• A high resolution of the D5 optical viewfinder with 0.72x magnification that provides a clear and bright view of the scene.
• A fixed 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD monitor with 2.36 million dots that allows you to adjust settings, review images, and control focus points.
• A dedicated AF engine that enhances the autofocus performance and accuracy.
• A 3D tracking mode that can follow moving subjects across the frame using color and distance information.
• A group-area AF mode that can focus on a group of subjects within a selected area.
• A 180K-pixel RGB metering sensor that can measure the exposure, white balance, and flash output accurately.
• A dual memory card slot that can accept either XQD or CF cards, depending on the model.
• A built-in Ethernet port that can connect the camera to a network for fast image transfer and remote control.

Feature	Nikon D850	Nikon D5
Resolution	45.7 MP	20.8 MP
Pixel size	4.35 microns	6.45 microns
Native ISO range	64-25600	100-102400
Expanded ISO range	32-102400	50-3280000
Dynamic range	14.8 stops	12.3 stops
Color depth	26.4 bits	24.4 bits
Continuous shooting speed	7 fps (9 fps with battery grip)	12 fps (14 fps with mirror up)
Buffer size	51 RAW / 170 JPEG	200 RAW / unlimited JPEG
Autofocus system	153 points (99 cross-type)	153 points (99 cross-type)
AF engine	No	Yes
Viewfinder magnification	0.75x	0.72x
LCD monitor	Tilting touchscreen, 3.2 inches, 2.36 million dots	Fixed touchscreen, 3.2 inches, 2.36 million dots
Video resolution	4K UHD at 30 fps or Full HD at 60 fps with full-frame or crop-sensor coverage	4K UHD at 30 fps or Full HD at 60 fps with crop-sensor coverage
Slow-motion video	Full HD at 120 fps with crop-sensor coverage	Full HD at 60 fps with crop-sensor coverage
Time-lapse video	4K or 8K from still images taken at intervals	4K from still images taken at intervals
Video format	MOV or MP4 with H.264 or MPEG-4 compression	MOV with H.264 compression
Picture profile	Flat	Flat
Microphone input	Yes, via a 3.5 mm jack	Yes, via a 3.5 mm jack
HDMI output	Yes, uncompressed video output to an external recorder or monitor	Yes, uncompressed video output to an external recorder or monitor
Memory card slot	Dual (XQD and SD)	Dual (XQD or CF)
Battery life	1840 shots per charge (CIPA standard)	3780 shots per charge (CIPA standard)
Focus motor	Yes, can autofocus with any AF or AF-S lens, but not with AF-P or E-type lenses	Yes, can autofocus with any AF or AF-S lens, but not with AF-P or E-type lenses
Silent photography mode	Yes, uses an electronic shutter to eliminate shutter noise and vibration	No, produces shutter noise and vibration when taking photos
Focus shift mode	Yes, automatically takes a series of images with different focus distances and combines them into a single image with extended depth of field	No, cannot create focus-stacked images with extended depth of field
Multiple exposure mode	Yes, can overlay up to 10 images into one composite image	No, cannot overlay multiple images into one composite image
Built-in flash	Yes, can act as a commander for wireless flash control	No, requires an external flash attachment for fill light or wireless flash control
Snapbridge app	Yes, can connect the camera to your smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for remote control, image transfer, geotagging, and more	No, does not have a snapbridge app
Ethernet port	No, does not have an Ethernet port	Yes, can connect the camera to a network for fast image transfer and remote control

Design and Build: Nikon D5 vs D850

The Nikon D5 vs D850 have different designs and builds that reflect their intended purposes. The Nikon D850 is more compact and lightweight, while the Nikon D5 is more bulky and heavy. The Nikon D850 has a more ergonomic and comfortable grip, while the Nikon D5 has a more solid and sturdy grip.

The Nikon D850 has a tilting touchscreen LCD monitor, while the Nikon D5 has a fixed touchscreen LCD monitor. The Nikon D850 has dual memory card slots (XQD and SD), while the Nikon D5 has dual memory card slots (XQD or CF). The Nikon D850 has a built-in flash, while the Nikon D5 does not. The Nikon D850 has a snapbridge app, while the Nikon D5 has a built-in Ethernet port.

D850: A look at its aesthetics and build

The Nikon D850 has a sleek and elegant design that is similar to the previous Nikon D810. It has a magnesium alloy body that is weather-sealed and dust-proof, making it suitable for outdoor photography. It weighs about 915 grams (without battery and memory card), which is relatively light for a full-frame DSLR camera.

It measures about 146 x 124 x 78.5 mm, which is slightly smaller than the Nikon D5. It has a deep and comfortable grip that fits well in your hand. It has a large and bright optical viewfinder that covers 100% of the frame. It has a tilting 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD monitor that can be adjusted to different angles for easier viewing.

It has dual memory card slots (one XQD and one SD) that can store large amounts of data. It has a built-in flash that can be used for fill light or wireless flash control. It has a snapbridge app that can connect the camera to your smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

D5: Examining its form and structure

The Nikon D5 has a robust and professional design that is similar to the previous Nikon D4S. It has a magnesium alloy body that is weather-sealed and dust-proof, making it suitable for harsh environments. It weighs about 1415 grams (without battery and memory card), which is quite heavy for a full-frame DSLR camera.

It measures about 160 x 158.5 x 92 mm, which is significantly larger than the Nikon D850. It has a solid and sturdy grip that provides a secure hold. It has a large and bright optical viewfinder that covers 100% of the frame. It has a fixed 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD monitor that can be used for settings, review, and focus control.

It has dual memory card slots (either two XQD or two CF) that can store large amounts of data. It does not have a built-in flash, but it has a hot shoe for external flash attachment. It has a built-in Ethernet port that can connect the camera to a network for fast image transfer and remote control.

Sensor Comparison: Nikon d850 vs Nikon d5

The sensor is one of the most important components of a camera, as it determines the image quality, resolution, dynamic range, noise performance, color reproduction, and more. The Nikon D5 vs D850 have different sensors that have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Specification	Nikon D850	Nikon D5
Sensor Type	Back-illuminated CMOS	Front-illuminated CMOS
Optical Low Pass Filter	None	Yes
Resolution	45.7 megapixels	20.8 megapixels
Pixel Size	4.35 microns	6.45 microns
Native ISO Range	64 to 25600	100 to 102400
Expanded ISO Range	32 to 102400	50 to 3280000
Dynamic Range	14.8 stops	12.3 stops
Color Depth	26.4 bits	24.4 bits

Performance and Features: D5 and D850

The performance and features of a camera are also very important factors to consider, as they affect the speed, accuracy, functionality, and usability of the camera. The Nikon D5 vs D850 have different performance and features that suit different types of photography.

Performance Analysis: Nikon D850 | Nikon D5 vs D850

The Nikon D850 is a fast and reliable camera that can handle various shooting scenarios. It has a powerful EXPEED 5 image processor that enables fast performance, high ISO performance (up to 102400), and advanced image processing. It has a fast and accurate autofocus system that can track moving subjects with ease (Nikon D850 versus Nikon D5 subject tracking). It has a robust and ergonomic body that can withstand harsh environments. It has a lot of features that can enhance your creativity and workflow.

Feature Exploration: Nikon D5 | Nikon D5 vs D850

The Nikon D5 is a powerful and efficient camera that can capture fast action with ease. It has a powerful EXPEED 5 image processor that enables fast performance, high ISO sensitivity (up to 3280000), and advanced image processing. It has a superior autofocus system that can track moving subjects with precision. It has a rugged and durable body that can endure tough situations. It has a lot of features that can optimize your performance and efficiency.

Lens and Optics Review: Nikon D5 vs D850

The lens and optics are also very important components of a camera, as they determine the focal length, aperture, zoom, distortion, aberration, and more. The Nikon D5 vs D850 cameras have different lens and optics that have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Lens Compatibility and Performance: Nikon D850

The Nikon D850 is compatible with a wide range of lenses from Nikon and other brands, thanks to its F-mount system. It can use both FX (full-frame) and DX (crop-sensor) lenses, but the latter will reduce the effective resolution to 19.4 megapixels. It can also use older manual focus lenses with an adapter, but some features may not work properly. The Nikon D850 has a built-in focus motor that can autofocus with any AF or AF-S lens, but not with AF-P or E-type lenses.

The Nikon D850 can benefit from using high-quality lenses that can match its high-resolution sensor. Some of the recommended lenses for the Nikon D850 are:

• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED: A wide-angle zoom lens that can capture stunning landscapes, architecture, and interiors with minimal distortion and excellent sharpness.
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR: A standard zoom lens that can cover a versatile range of focal lengths for portraits, events, and travel with fast aperture and vibration reduction.
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR: A telephoto zoom lens that can reach distant subjects for wildlife, sports photographer, and journalism with fast aperture and vibration reduction.
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G: A prime lens that can produce beautiful bokeh and low-light performance for portraits, street, and night photography.
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED: A prime lens that can deliver stunning sharpness and depth of field for portraits, macro, and art photography.

Lens Compatibility and Performance: Nikon D5

The Nikon D5 is also compatible with a wide range of lenses from Nikon and other brands, thanks to its F-mount system. It can use both FX (full-frame) and DX (crop-sensor) lenses, but the latter will reduce the effective resolution to 9 megapixels. It can also use older manual focus lenses with an adapter, but some features may not work properly. The Nikon D5 has a built-in focus motor that can autofocus with any AF or AF-S lens, but not with AF-P or E-type lenses.

The Nikon D5 can benefit from using fast and reliable lenses that can match its high-speed performance and low-light sensitivity. Some of the recommended lenses for the Nikon D5 are:

• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED: A wide-angle zoom lens that can capture stunning landscapes, architecture, and interiors with minimal distortion and excellent sharpness.
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR: A standard zoom lens that can cover a versatile range of focal lengths for portraits, events, and travel with fast aperture and vibration reduction.
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR: A telephoto zoom lens that can reach distant subjects for wildlife, sports, and journalism with fast aperture and vibration reduction.
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR: A super telephoto zoom lens that can extend the reach for wildlife, sports, and aviation photography with fast autofocus and vibration reduction.
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G: A prime lens that can produce beautiful bokeh and low-light performance for portraits, street, and night photography.

Videography and Photography: Comparing Nikon D5 vs D850

The videography and photography capabilities of a camera are also very important factors to consider, as they affect the quality, resolution, frame rate, format, stabilization, audio, and more of the videos and photos. The Nikon D5 vs D850 have different videography and photography capabilities that suit different types of shooting.

Nikon D850: Delving into Its Videography and Photography Performance

The Nikon D850 is a great camera for both videography and photography, as it offers high-resolution videos and photos with excellent quality. It has a lot of features that can enhance your creativity and workflow.

Some of the videography aspects of the Nikon D850 are:

• Record 4K UHD videos at 30 fps or Full HD videos at 60 fps with full-frame or crop-sensor coverage.
• Record slow-motion videos at 120 fps in Full HD resolution with crop-sensor coverage.
• Record time-lapse videos in 4K or 8K resolution from still images taken at intervals.
• Record videos in MOV or MP4 format with H.264 or MPEG-4 compression.
• Record videos with a flat picture profile that allows more flexibility in post-processing.
• Record videos with a built-in stereo microphone or an external microphone via a 3.5 mm jack.
• Output uncompressed videos via an HDMI port to an external recorder or monitor.

Some of the photography aspects of the Nikon D850 are:

• Capture high-resolution photos with 45.7 megapixels and low noise and high sharpness.
• Capture fast-action photos with 7 fps (9 fps with battery grip) and a large buffer of 51 RAW images or 170 JPEG images.
• Capture silent photos with an electronic shutter that eliminates shutter noise and vibration.
• Capture focus-stacked photos with a focus shift mode that automatically takes a series of images with different focus distances and combines them into a single image with extended depth of field.
• Capture multiple-exposure photos with a multiple exposure mode that can overlay up to 10 images into one composite image.
• Capture photos in RAW, JPEG, or TIFF format with 12-bit or 14-bit depth and various compression options.

Nikon D5: Exploring Its Videography and Photography Competencies

The Nikon D5 is also a great camera for both videography and photography, as it offers fast and reliable performance and low-light sensitivity. It has a lot of features that can optimize your performance and efficiency.

Some of the videography aspects of the Nikon D5 are:

• Record 4K UHD videos at 30 fps or Full HD videos at 60 fps with crop-sensor coverage.
• Record slow-motion videos at 60 fps in Full HD resolution with crop-sensor coverage.
• Record time-lapse videos in 4K resolution from still images taken at intervals.
• Record videos in MOV format with H.264 compression.
• Record videos with a flat picture profile that allows more flexibility in post-processing.
• Record videos with a built-in stereo microphone or an external microphone via a 3.5 mm jack.
• Output uncompressed videos via an HDMI port to an external recorder or monitor.

Some of the photography aspects of the Nikon D5 are:

• Capture excellent photos with 20.8 megapixels and low noise and high sensitivity.
• Capture fast-action photos with 12 fps (14 fps with mirror up) and a large buffer of 200 RAW images or unlimited JPEG images.
• Capture photos with a superior autofocus system that can track moving subjects with precision.
• Capture photos in RAW, JPEG, or TIFF format with 12-bit or 14-bit depth and various compression options.

Review Summary: Pros and Cons Nikon D5 vs D850

The Nikon D5 vs D850 are both excellent cameras that have their own pros and cons. Depending on your preferences, needs, and budget, you may find one of them more suitable for you than the other. Here is a summary of the pros and cons of each camera:

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Alternate Camera Comparisons to the Nikon D850 and D5

The Nikon D5 vs D850 are not the only cameras that can compete with each other in the market. There are other cameras from Nikon and other brands that can offer similar or different features and performance. Here are some of the alternate camera comparisons to the Nikon D5 vs D850:

Exploring Other Competitors to the Nikon D850

The Nikon D850 is a versatile and powerful camera that can handle almost any photographic challenge. However, it may not be the best choice for everyone, depending on their preferences, needs, and budget. Some of the other competitors to the Nikon D850 are:

• Nikon Z7 II: A mirrorless camera that has a similar sensor, resolution, and dynamic range as the Nikon D850, but with a smaller and lighter body, a faster continuous shooting speed of 10 fps, a dual memory card slot (XQD and SD), an in-body image stabilization system, and an electronic viewfinder.
• Canon EOS R5: A mirrorless camera that has a higher resolution of 45 megapixels, a faster continuous shooting speed of 12 fps (20 fps with electronic shutter), a dual memory card slot (CFexpress and SD), an in-body image stabilization system, an electronic viewfinder, and a 8K video recording capability.
• Sony A7R IV: A mirrorless camera that has a higher resolution of 61 megapixels, a faster continuous shooting speed of 10 fps, a dual memory card slot (SD), an in-body image stabilization system, an electronic viewfinder, and a 4K video recording capability.

Examining Competitors to the Nikon D5

The Nikon D5 is a powerful and efficient camera that can capture fast action with ease. However, it may not be the best choice for everyone, depending on their preferences, needs, and budget. Some of the other competitors to the Nikon D5 are:

• Nikon D6: A DSLR camera that has a similar sensor, resolution, and dynamic range as the Nikon D5, but with a faster continuous shooting speed of 14 fps (16 fps with mirror up), a dual memory card slot (XQD or CFexpress), an improved autofocus system with 105 points (all cross-type), and a snapbridge app.
• Canon EOS-1D X Mark III: A DSLR camera that has a higher resolution of 20.1 megapixels, a faster continuous shooting speed of 16 fps (20 fps with electronic shutter), a dual memory card slot (CFexpress), an improved autofocus system with 191 points (155 cross-type), and a 5.5K video recording capability.
• Sony A9 II: A mirrorless camera that has a higher resolution of 24.2 megapixels, a faster continuous shooting speed of 20 fps (with electronic shutter), a dual memory card slot (SD), an in-body image stabilization system, an electronic viewfinder, and a 4K video recording capability.

Nikon D5 vs D850: The Final Verdict

The Nikon D5 and the Nikon D850 are both excellent cameras that have their own pros and cons. Depending on your preferences, needs, and budget, you may find one of them more suitable for you than the other. Here is our final verdict on which one to go for:

Which one to go for: Nikon D5 vs D850?

The answer to this question of Nikon D5 vs D850 depends on what type of photography you are interested in, and what features and performance you value more. Here are some general guidelines to help you decide:

• Go for the Nikon D850 if you are interested in landscape, portrait, wedding, wildlife, or any type of photography that requires high-resolution, high-dynamic range, high-color depth, and high-creativity. The Nikon D850 can deliver stunning image quality with low noise and high sharpness. It can also offer various features that can enhance your creativity and workflow, such as silent photography mode, focus shift mode, time-lapse mode, multiple exposure mode, built-in flash, snapbridge app, and more.
• Go for the Nikon D5 if you are interested in sports, wildlife, journalism, events or any type of photography that requires fast-speed, low-light, high-sensitivity, and high-reliability. The Nikon D5 can deliver excellent image quality with low noise and high sensitivity. It can also offer various features that can optimize your performance and efficiency, such as superior autofocus system, blazing continuous shooting speed, dedicated AF engine, 3D tracking mode, group-area AF mode, 180K-pixel RGB metering sensor, dual memory card slot, built-in Ethernet port, and more.

Factors to Consider Before Buying | Nikon D5 vs D850

Before you decide to buy either the Nikon D850 or the Nikon D5, you should also consider some other factors that may affect your satisfaction and experience with the camera. Some of the factors to consider are:

• The price: The Nikon D850 and the Nikon D5 are both very expensive cameras, costing around $3,000 and $6,000 respectively. You should consider your budget and whether you can afford to invest in such a high-end camera.
• The size and weight: The Nikon D5 vs D850 are both large and heavy cameras, weighing about 915 grams and 1415 grams respectively (without battery and memory card). You should consider your comfort and convenience when carrying and handling such a bulky camera.
• The lens availability and compatibility: The Nikon D5 vs D850 are both compatible with a wide range of lenses from Nikon and other brands, thanks to their F-mount system. However, they may not be compatible with some newer lenses that require AF-P or E-type autofocus. You should consider your lens collection and whether you need to buy new lenses or adapters for your camera.
• The accessories availability and compatibility: The Nikon D5 vs D850 are both compatible with various accessories from Nikon and other brands, such as flashes, battery grips, remote controls, microphones, monitors, etc. However, they may not be compatible with some newer accessories that require snapbridge app or Ethernet port. You should consider your accessory needs and whether you need to buy new accessories or adapters for your camera.