I've used a Nikon D850 as my primary camera since picking one up in late 2017.
It has been such a joy to use and such an impressive camera that I honestly didn't think anything could rival it.
That is, until I got my hands on a Nikon Z7...
Sure, there are lots of similarities between these cameras that make them unmistakable cousins in the Nikon lineup. But there are also many differences that make each camera particularly suited to specific photographic pursuits.
In this Nikon Z7 vs Nikon D850 matchup, I'll explore the essential specs, features, and performance of these mighty cameras to help you decide which one is best for you.
Nikon Z7 vs Nikon D850 Essential Specs
First things first, let's go over some of the essential specifications for these cameras.
Nikon Z7 Specs
- 46-megapixel full frame BSI CMOS sensor
- EXPEED 6 image processor
- Native ISO Range: 64-25,600 (expandable to 32-102400)
- 5-axis SensorShift image stabilization
- 3.69-million dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage
- 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 2.1-million dots
- 9 fps burst shooting (12-bit RAW)
- Hybrid PDAF autofocus system with 493 AF points
- AF Sensitivity: -1 to +19 EV
- 4K UHD video at 30 fps
- Magnesium alloy body
- Full weather sealing
- 200,000 shutter life
Nikon D850 Specs
- 46-megapixel full frame BSI CMOS sensor
- EXPEED 5 image processor
- Native ISO Range: 64-25,600 (expandable to 32-102400)
- Optical pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage
- 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 2.36-million dots
- 7 fps burst shooting (up to 9 fps with optional battery grip)
- 153-point autofocus system with contrast-detect and phase-detect points
- AF Sensitivity: +/-5 EV
- 4K UHD video at 30, 25, and 24 fps
- Magnesium alloy body
- Full weather sealing
- 200,000 shutter life
Clearly, in comparing these lists of features, these cameras are evenly matched on paper.
Both feature a 46-megapixel back-illuminated full frame sensor, but as I point out in this Nikon Z7 Review, the Z7, armed with a newer EXPEED 6 processor, produces images with less noise.
And while both cameras sport the same native and expanded ISO ranges, the Z7 has in-body 5-axis image stabilization, which affords you a greater capability of capturing sharp images when the lighting is not ideal.
Both cameras have weather-sealed, magnesium alloy bodies that I can personally attest are ruggedly built.
I dropped my D850 while I was in Norway, and it bounced around on some jagged boulders near the sea. I'll be darned if it came away from that incident with just a couple of scratches!
Other similarities between these cameras include the expected 200,000 shutter life, 4K UHD video capabilities, and burst shooting that is identical at 9 fps, assuming you add an optional battery grip to the D850.
Let's explore some of the crucial differences between these cameras in more detail below.
Nikon Z7 vs Nikon D850 Design and Build
Clearly, there are significant differences in the manner in which these cameras were designed and built.
Since it's a full frame DSLR, the D850 is much larger and heavier than the Z7. At 2.24 pounds, the D850 outweighs the Z7 by three-quarters of a pound. Yet, despite its size, it's a joy to use, even on long days, as I note in this Nikon D850 review. Naturally, the Z7 has a smaller body since it doesn't need to accommodate a mirror.
Despite its smaller size, the Nikon Z7 still has a nice, big, chunky grip, which as a guy with big hands, I appreciate.
Both cameras have a 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen on the back, which is a welcome addition to the Z7.
When the Z7 was rumored, there was a question as to whether they could squeeze such a big LCD on the back, but they managed to do so, much to the benefit of the end-user.
I've found the LCD on the D850 to be bright, detailed, and responsive, and the same holds true on the Z7.
One of the Z7's best features, though, is its 3.69-million dot OLED electronic viewfinder.
It is, in a word, gorgeous.
One of the worries of Nikon enthusiasts is that this first foray into mirrorless cameras would mean diminished quality of the electronic viewfinder. This is simply not the case, though.
I've tested mirrorless cameras from Sony, Panasonic, and Fuji, and the Z7's EVF can more than hold its own against top-shelf models from other companies.
This isn't to say that the D850's optical viewfinder is a slouch.
It has 0.75x magnification, which is the largest ever offered by Nikon.
And while it doesn't offer the wide array of information that's available on the Z7's EVF, it still has 100 percent coverage, so what you see through the viewfinder is exactly what you'll see in your images.
Another key difference between these cameras are their autofocus systems.
The D850 has an impressive 153-point autofocus system, but the Z7 wins out with 493 points. Combined with its in-body image stabilization, the Z7 is loaded for bear for helping you get clear, sharp images.
If shooting with the D850 (which lacks in-body stabilization), you have to rely instead on the lenses you use having stabilization.
Nikon Z7 vs Nikon D850 Image Quality
Since these cameras have the same 46-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, their image quality is highly comparable.
As noted above, the Z7 produces images that are cleaner with less noise thanks to its updated EXPEED 6 processor.
But since both sensors produce images up to 8,256x5,504 pixels in size, either one will allow you to create very large prints, or, alternatively, heavily crop images without diminishing the quality of the photo.
I've been a Nikon shooter for a long time now, and I have a long history of owning Nikon's best cameras.
I can say without a doubt that the D850 and Z7 have the best image quality of any Nikon camera I've owned. Furthermore, these cameras can go toe-to-toe with any other camera on the market in terms of image quality, hands-down.
Nikon Z7 vs Nikon D850 Features Comparison
In addition to the primary specifications discussed above, both the Z7 and the D850 offer plenty of other features that make them top-shelf cameras.
Something I really appreciate about the D850 are its illuminated buttons, which have come in very handy as of late as I've gotten more involved in nighttime photography.
And though I don't use it often, I also really like the D850's built-in focus stacking capability.
The Z7, on the other hand, has that 5-axis image stabilization system I noted earlier, and that's proven to be invaluable as I've spent a lot of time with the Z7 running and gunning without a tripod.
I'm also shooting more video these days, and I've found the Z7 to be preferable for those pursuits simply because it's smaller and lighter than the D850.
Of course, the Z7's battery life can't compare to the D850's (1,840 shots to 330).
Ultimately, the choice between these cameras will likely come down to the type of photography you undertake. The difference between Nikon D850 price and Nikon Z7 price is very less.
Street photographers, sports photographers, and travel photographers will likely prefer the Z7 because of its size and image stabilization. Landscape photographers might prefer the D850 given its crazy-long battery life and chunky, comfortable grip.
But honestly, either way you go, you're getting a hell of a camera.