Nikon
D850
Legendary 45MP DSLR still favored by landscape and studio photographers.
$3,299
Released Aug 2017
Nikon
Z8
Z9 internals in a compact body — 45.7MP stacked sensor, 8K 60p, no blackout burst.
$3,999
Released May 2023
Z8 is 5.7 years newer.
Wins
D850
Wins
Z8
4 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD850 has higher Burst (mechanical) (7 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ8 has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZ8 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 7 fps)
- AD850 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (1840 shots vs 340 shots)
- BZ8 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
D850
146 × 124 × 79 mm
915 g (2.02 lb / 32.28 oz)
Z8
144 × 119 × 83 mm
820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)
D850 is 5mm thinner than Z8 but it is also 2mm wider and 6mm taller.
D850 is 95 g heavier than Z8.
Depth (front-to-back): 79mm D850 · 83mm Z8
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D850
146 × 124 mm
Z8
144 × 119 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D850
146 × 79 mm
Z8
144 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D850
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Z8
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D850
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z8
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
Burst (mechanical)
7 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 146, 124, 78.5
Battery life (CIPA)
1840 shots vs 340 shots — higher is better
Card types
Adds XQD
Reasons to choose
Z8
AF low-light limit
-9 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
IBIS effectiveness
6 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 118.5, 83
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 7 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
AF points / zones
493 vs 153 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Resolution — Both 45.7 MP
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 64
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
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
Z8
Pros
- ✓45.7MP stacked CMOS from Z9 — class-leading
- ✓8K 60p N-RAW internal
- ✓No mechanical shutter wear — fully electronic
- ✓20fps at full 45.7MP resolution
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 340 CIPA shots
- –No built-in grip (unlike Z9)
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, D850 or Z8?
Z8 scores 9.0/10 versus 1.5/10 for D850 — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the D850 and Z8?
Both cameras share the same 45.7 MP resolution.
Do the D850 and Z8 have in-body image stabilization?
D850 does not have IBIS, while z8 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D850 or the Z8?
D850 reaches 7 fps electronic. Z8 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D850 and Z8?
D850 weighs 915 g and Z8 weighs 820 g, so the Z8 is 95 g lighter.
Do the D850 and Z8 record 4K video?
D850: 4K up to 30p. Z8: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D850 and Z8 weather sealed?
D850: Yes. Z8: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 1,840 shots (CIPA) for the D850 and 340 shots for the Z8, giving the D850 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D850 launched at $3,299 and Z8 at $3,999. The D850 is $700 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.