Nikon
D810
36MP full-frame DSLR workhorse prized for landscape, studio, and commercial stills.
$3,299
Launch priceReleased Jun 2014
Nikon
D850
Legendary 45MP DSLR still favored by landscape and studio photographers.
$3,299
Launch priceReleased Aug 2017
D850 is 3.2 years newer.
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Wins
D810
Wins
D850
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD810 has higher IBIS effectiveness (7 stops vs 0 stops)
- BD850 has higher AF points / zones (153 vs 51)
- BD850 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (1840 shots vs 640 shots)
- AD810 has higher Burst (electronic) (20 fps vs 7 fps)
- AD810 has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 51 frames)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
D810
146 × 123 × 82 mm
980 g (2.16 lb / 34.57 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
D850
146 × 124 × 79 mm
1005 g (2.22 lb / 35.45 oz)
D810 is 1mm shorter than D850 but it is also 3mm thicker.
D810 is 25 g lighter than D850.
Depth (front-to-back): 82mm D810 · 79mm D850
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D810
146 × 123 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
D850
146 × 124 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D810
146 × 82 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
D850
146 × 79 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D810
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
D850
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D810
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
D850
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
D810
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Card types
Adds SD, CompactFlash
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 123, 81.5
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 7 fps — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
120 frames vs 51 frames — higher is better
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 29.97 fps — higher is better
Eye AF
Only D810 supports it
Reasons to choose
D850
AF low-light limit
-4 EV vs -2 EV — lower is better
Card types
Adds SD/SDHC/SDXC, CFexpress Type B / XQD
AF points / zones
153 vs 51 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds MOV, MP4
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 124, 78.5
Battery life (CIPA)
1840 shots vs 640 shots — higher is better
ISO max (native)
25,600 vs 12,800 — higher is better
Touchscreen
Only D850 supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 64
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
- ✓Microphone jack (3.5mm) — Both support microphone jack (3.5mm)
- ✓Headphone jack (3.5mm) — Both support headphone jack (3.5mm)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D810
Pros
- ✓36MP no OPLF
- ✓Excellent dynamic range
- ✓Pro F-mount ecosystem
Cons
- –Superseded by D850
- –Slow live view AF
- –Heavy
D850
Pros
- ✓45MP DSLR classic
- ✓Excellent dynamic range
- ✓Huge F-mount lens library
Cons
- –DSLR mirror system
- –Heavy
- –No modern mirrorless AF
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D810 and D850 at major authorized retailers.
Nikon D810
Nikon D850
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, D810 or D850?
D810 scores 9.0/10 versus 1.5/10 for D850 — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the D810 and D850?
D810 is 36.3 MP and D850 is 45.7 MP, so the D850 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
How does stabilization compare between the D810 and D850?
D810 does not have IBIS, while D850 does not have IBIS.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D810 or the D850?
D810 reaches 20 fps electronic. D850 reaches 7 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D810 and D850?
D810 weighs 980 g and D850 weighs 1005 g, so the D810 is 25 g lighter.
Do the D810 and D850 record 4K video?
D810: 4K up to 60p. D850: 4K up to 29.97p.
Are the D810 and D850 weather sealed?
D810: Yes. D850: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D810 and 1,840 shots for the D850, giving the D850 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Both launched at $3,299.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D810 vs D850 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.