Nikon
D850
Legendary 45MP DSLR still favored by landscape and studio photographers.
$3,299
Launch priceReleased Aug 2017
Nikon
Z6 III
First partially stacked full-frame sensor with 6K N-RAW internal video.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Jun 2024
Z6 III is 6.8 years newer.
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Wins
D850
Wins
Z6 III
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZ6 III has higher IBIS effectiveness (8 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZ6 III has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 51 frames)
- BZ6 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 7 fps)
- AD850 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (1840 shots vs 360 shots)
- BZ6 III has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 29.97 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
D850
146 × 124 × 79 mm
1005 g (2.22 lb / 35.45 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z6 III
139 × 102 × 74 mm
760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
D850 is 8mm wider, 23mm taller, and 5mm thicker than Z6 III.
D850 is 245 g heavier than Z6 III.
Depth (front-to-back): 79mm D850 · 74mm Z6 III
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D850
146 × 124 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z6 III
139 × 102 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D850
146 × 79 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z6 III
139 × 74 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D850
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Z6 III
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D850
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z6 III
Nikon Z
90+
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
D850
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 146, 124, 78.5
Card types
Adds SD/SDHC/SDXC, CFexpress Type B / XQD
Battery life (CIPA)
1840 shots vs 360 shots — higher is better
Codecs
Adds MOV, MP4
Resolution
45.7 MP vs 24.5 MP — higher is better
ISO min (native)
64 vs 100 — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Z6 III
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138.5, 101.5, 74
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B, XQD, SD…
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 51 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 7 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds ProRes RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, Raw…
Both cameras share
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
- ✓Microphone jack (3.5mm) — Both support microphone jack (3.5mm)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D850
Pros
- ✓45MP DSLR classic
- ✓Excellent dynamic range
- ✓Huge F-mount lens library
Cons
- –DSLR mirror system
- –Heavy
- –No modern mirrorless AF
Z6 III
Pros
- ✓Partially stacked CMOS reduces rolling shutter
- ✓6K N-RAW 60p internal — true filmmaking capability
- ✓5.76M dot EVF — best-in-class resolution
- ✓14fps mechanical burst
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 380 CIPA shots
- –Smaller lens ecosystem vs. Canon RF
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D850 and Z6 III at major authorized retailers.
Nikon D850
Nikon Z6 III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, D850 or Z6 III?
Z6 III scores 10.0/10 versus 1.5/10 for D850 — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the D850 and Z6 III?
D850 is 45.7 MP and Z6 III is 24.5 MP, so the D850 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D850 and Z6 III have in-body image stabilization?
D850 does not have IBIS, while Z6 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D850 or the Z6 III?
D850 reaches 7 fps electronic. Z6 III reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D850 and Z6 III?
D850 weighs 1005 g and Z6 III weighs 760 g, so the Z6 III is 245 g lighter.
Do the D850 and Z6 III record 4K video?
D850: 4K up to 29.97p. Z6 III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the D850 and Z6 III weather sealed?
D850: Yes. Z6 III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 1,840 shots (CIPA) for the D850 and 360 shots for the Z6 III, giving the D850 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D850 launched at $3,299 and Z6 III at $2,499. The Z6 III is $800 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D850 vs Z6 III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.