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Nikon Z8 Vs Nikon D850: The Ultimate Showdown Of Mirrorless And Dslr Cameras

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively...

What To Know

  • However, the Z8 is a better choice for photographers who need a camera with a high-resolution sensor, a fast and accurate autofocus system, and a durable build.
  • The D850 is a better choice for photographers who are on a budget or who don’t need all of the features that the Z8 offers.

In this blog post, we’ll compare the two cameras side-by-side and help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.

Sensor

The Nikon Z8 has a 45.7MP full-frame sensor, while the Nikon D850 has a 45.7MP full-frame sensor. Both sensors are capable of producing high-quality images, but the Z8 has a slight edge in terms of resolution.

Image Quality

The Nikon Z8 and the Nikon D850 both produce excellent image quality. However, the Z8 has a slight edge in terms of dynamic range, which means that it can capture more detail in both the highlights and shadows of an image.

Autofocus

The Nikon Z8 has a hybrid autofocus system that uses both phase-detection and contrast-detection autofocus. The Nikon D850 also has a hybrid autofocus system, but it uses a different combination of phase-detection and contrast-detection autofocus points.

In practice, the Z8’s autofocus system is faster and more accurate than the D850’s autofocus system. This makes the Z8 a better choice for shooting fast-moving subjects.

Video

The Nikon Z8 and the Nikon D850 both can shoot 4K video at 30fps. However, the Z8 has a few advantages over the D850 when it comes to video.

First, the Z8 has a full-frame sensor, which means that it can capture more detail in video than the D850’s APS-C sensor. Second, the Z8 has a better autofocus system than the D850, which makes it easier to keep your subjects in focus while shooting video.

Build Quality

The Nikon Z8 and the Nikon D850 are both well-built cameras. However, the Z8 has a few advantages over the D850 in terms of build quality.

First, the Z8 has a magnesium alloy body, while the D850 has a polycarbonate body. This makes the Z8 more durable than the D850. Second, the Z8 has weather sealing, which means that it can be used in inclement weather without worry.

Price

The Nikon Z8 is more expensive than the Nikon D850. However, the Z8 offers a number of advantages over the D850, including a higher-resolution sensor, a better autofocus system, and a more durable build.

Which Camera is Right for You?

The Nikon Z8 and the Nikon D850 are both excellent cameras. However, the Z8 is a better choice for photographers who need a camera with a high-resolution sensor, a fast and accurate autofocus system, and a durable build. The D850 is a better choice for photographers who are on a budget or who don’t need all of the features that the Z8 offers.

Final Thoughts

The Nikon Z8 and the Nikon D850 are both excellent cameras. However, the Z8 is a better choice for photographers who need a camera with a high-resolution sensor, a fast and accurate autofocus system, and a durable build. The D850 is a better choice for photographers who are on a budget or who don’t need all of the features that the Z8 offers.

Common Questions and Answers

Q: Which camera has a better sensor?
A: The Nikon Z8 has a better sensor than the Nikon D850. The Z8’s sensor has a higher resolution and a better dynamic range.

Q: Which camera has a better autofocus system?
A: The Nikon Z8 has a better autofocus system than the Nikon D850. The Z8’s autofocus system is faster and more accurate.

Q: Which camera is better for video?
A: The Nikon Z8 is better for video than the Nikon D850. The Z8 has a full-frame sensor and a better autofocus system.

Q: Which camera is more durable?
A: The Nikon Z8 is more durable than the Nikon D850. The Z8 has a magnesium alloy body and weather sealing.

Q: Which camera is more expensive?
A: The Nikon Z8 is more expensive than the Nikon D850.

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Lindsey

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively testing and reviewing Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z50 on her blog. Through her writing on lindseyshoots.com, Lindsey aims to help other photographers make the transition from DSLRs to mirrorless. She shares detailed hands-on reviews, comparisons between different mirrorless camera models, tips for beginners, and photo tutorials. When she isn't testing cameras, Lindsey enjoys landscape, street and travel photography. Her work has been published in several magazines and online publications. Lindsey is also a member of the Nikon Professional Services program.
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