Nikon D850 vs D5 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Without any doubt, Nikon D850 & D5 are the Best Quality Professional Cameras. Both have some similarities & differences. It’s a little bit hard to choose the right one, but if you are looking for the best one with better photo & video quality, I would recommend the Nikon D850 rather than D5.

Why do I recommend Nikon D850?

  • Nikon D850 has 46 megapixel BSI-CMOS Camera sensor, whereas D5 has 21 megapixel CMOS sensor. A better megapixel camera helps to capture images and videos in higher Resolution with more details.
  • The Maximum sensor resolution of D850 is (8256 x 5504) whereas D5 is (5588 x 3712), which means D850 can provide you with better-resolution Images and videos with more Details.
  • You can use Nikon D850 as a webcam instead of Laptops and other webcams to make a good impression when you are attending a meeting, but you can’t with Nikon D5.
  • Nikon D850 has a tilting touchscreen display that you can rotate to shoot at different angles, which is helpful while taking selfies or making vlog videos & you can focus or zoom on any specific object by tapping on the screen. Nikon D5 Display is fixed.
  • It has a focus bracketing option, which allows you to take several images with different points of focus. D5 doesn’t allow you to do that.
  • You can capture 8k time-lapse video in this camera with the interval timer function, but its competitor doesn’t come with the time-lapse feature.
  • The device combines NFC technology that lets you instantly share files. On the other hand, Nikon D5 doesn’t include the NFC function.
  • If you want to do a live streaming or live concert, you can do it with Nikon D850. Just connect the camera to wifi and it’s ready to go, but Nikon D5 can’t connect with wifi.

You can get Nikon D5 for battery life and Continuous shooting speed, but those are not gonna give you better photos or videos than the Nikon D850. Now the Choice is yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one. 

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Side-by-side comparison

SpecificationNikon D850Nikon D5
Editor’s Rating4.8 Out of 54.5 Out of 5
Body TypeMid-size SLRLarge SLR
Sensor TypeBSI-CMOSCMOS
Sensor Dimensions35.9 x 23.9 mm35.8 x 23.9 mm
Sensor Area858.01mm2855.62mm2
Sensor Megapixels46 megapixels21 megapixels
Max sensor Resolution8256 x 55045588 x 3712
Max Native Light sensitivity64-25,600 ISO100-102,400 ISO
AF TouchYesNo
Max Boosted Light Sensitivity32-102400 ISO-3280000 ISO
Display TypeTiltingFixed type
Viewfinder Magnification0.75x0.72x
Max Flash Sync1/250sn/a
Color Depth26.425.1
Low Light ISO26602434
NFC ConnectionYesNo
BluetoothYesNo
Focus BracketingYesNo
Focus StackingYesNo
Smartphone RemoteYesNo
8K Timelapse modeYesNo
Wireless ConnectivityBuilt-InNo
PriceCheck D850 priceCheck D5 price

Common things that both cameras can do…

  • Nikon D850 & D5 have Face Detection Focus that locks on the face and tracks the subject while they are moving. It’s very helpful while you are making vlogs or any other kind of Videos.
  • Both DSLRs have 2359k dots higher resolution screen that can display same detailed visual information on the display.
  • Nikon D850 & D5 have a Live view() option, This option allows you to shoot while viewing a real-time image.
  • Both contain a microphone port where you can attach a microphone & shoot video with crystal clear sound quality.
  • They have 153 focus points, which helps to focus on 45 objects at the same time.
  • Both have a touchscreen display that helps to focus or zoom on any specific object by tapping on the screen.
  • AE Bracketing is available in Nikon D850 & D5, which helps to shoot equally in tough lighting conditions or shadow areas.
  • The D850 & D5 have a timelapse recording feature for creative shooting.
  • Nikon D850 & D5 can record (3840 x 2160), which helps to record fast-moving objects without getting blurred.
  • The shutter speed of both DSLRs is 1/8000, which helps to capture super-fast moving objects without getting blurred, Like racing cars or bikes.
  • Both have an environment-sealed feature that lets you capture photos in harsh weather.

If you are okay with the above-explained feature, then you can get any one of these, but if you are looking for advanced features and the best one Between the Nikon D850 & D5, you must pick the Nikon D850.

Common features

SpecificationNikon D850Nikon D5
RAW SupportYesYes
AF ContinuousYesYes
AF SingleYesYes
AF TrackingYesYes
AF SelectiveYesYes
AF CenterYesYes
AF Multi AreaYesYes
AF Live ViewYesYes
AF Face DetectionYesYes
AF Contrast DetectionYesYes
AF Phase DetectionYesYes
Number of Focus Points153153
Manual FocusYesYes
Lens MountNikon FNikon F
Number of Available Lenses316316
Display Size3.20″3.20″
Display Resolution2,359k dots2,359k dots
Touch ScreenYesYes
ViewfinderOptical (pentaprism)Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage100%100%
Max Mechanical Shutter1/8000s1/8000s
Shutter PriorityYesYes
Aperture PriorityYesYes
Manual Exposure ModeYesYes
Custom White BalanceYesYes
External FlashYesYes
Multi-Segment MeteringYesYes
Spot MeteringYesYes
Center Weighted MeteringYesYes
AE BracketingYesYes
WB BracketingYesYes
Max Video Resolution3840 x 21603840 x 2160
Microphone PortYesYes
Headphone PortYesYes
HDMIYesYes
Environmental SealingYesYes
Timelapse RecordingYesYes
PriceCheck D850 priceCheck D5 price

Frequently asked questions about Nikon D850 & D5

1. Is the Nikon D5 full-frame or crop?

The Nikon D5 has a brand new 20.8-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and a faster EXPEED 5 image processor.

2. How old is a D5?

The Nikon D5 was released on January 6, 2016. So it proves that the Nikon D5 has been on the market for almost seven years as of 2023.

3. Is Nikon D850 professional?

The Nikon D850 is made for advanced and professional shooting, which is undoubtedly looking at other options too. Its closest competitor from the Canon is the EOS 5D Mark IV, but the D850 bit the Canon for resolution, continuous shooting speed and magnificently full-frame 4K video.

4. How much did the Nikon D850 cost when released?

The D850 retail price when it launched was 3,299.95 USD and The optional MB-D18 battery grip’s suggested price was 399.95 USD.

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