On sale 27%

Nikon D850 Black 2017

★★★★★ 4.9 (2,152)

The 45.7MP full-frame sensor resolves exceptional detail, paired with a 153-point AF system that locks focus reliably for fast action. Its robust, weather-sealed body and 1840-shot battery life make it a dependable tool for extended field work. This DSLR is best for portrait and studio photographers who need maximum resolution without moving to medium format.

Type DSLR
Sensor 45.7MP full-frame
AF Points 153 pts
Burst 7 fps
Video 4K @30fps
Weather Sealed Yes
Weight 915 g
Nikon D850 Black 2017 camera
82 Overall Score
Also available in:

Snapshot

What owners think

How owner sentiment changed over time

Exclusive

Based on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.

Owner sentiment has held steady over time
1★2★3★4★5★Q4 '21: 5.0★ · 12 reviewsQ1 '22: 4.6★ · 16 reviewsQ2 '22: 4.8★ · 17 reviewsQ3 '22: 5.0★ · 7 reviewsQ4 '22: 4.6★ · 11 reviewsQ1 '23: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ2 '23: 4.8★ · 5 reviewsQ3 '23: 5.0★ · 2 reviewsQ4 '23: 5.0★ · 2 reviewsQ2 '24: 5.0★ · 3 reviewsQ4 '24: 5.0★ · 2 reviewsQ1 '25: 5.0★ · 5 reviewsQ2 '25: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ3 '25: 5.0★ · 8 reviewsQ4 '25: 1.0★ · 1 reviewQ1 '26: 5.0★ · 5 reviewsQ2 '26: 5.0★ · 1 reviewQ3 '26: 4.7★ · 7 reviewsQ4 '26: 5.0★ · 1 review12161771115223251815171Q4 '21Q2 '22Q4 '22Q2 '23Q4 '23Q4 '24Q2 '25Q4 '25Q2 '26Q4 '26
Avg ratingHappy (4-5★)Unhappy (1-2★)Bar height = number of reviews
  1. Q2 2026100/1005.0★7 reviews

    Buyers in Q2 2026 praise the D850 as a top DSLR, especially for low-light AF and large prints. Many prefer it over mirrorless for compatibility with F-mount gear.

    • Excellent image quality and 45.7 MP for large prints.
    • Superior low-light AF with IR assist, outperforming Z9.
    • Great compatibility with existing F-mount lenses and accessories.
    • Solid build, satisfying shutter sound, and ergonomic feel.
  2. Q1 202694/1005.0★7 reviews

    Buyers praise the D850 as a top-tier DSLR with excellent image quality, value at its current price, and a satisfying mechanical feel. A few note the need for larger memory cards.

    • Excellent image quality and detail, especially compared to DX sensors.
    • Great value due to significant price drop from original MSRP.
    • Preferred over mirrorless for optical viewfinder, battery life, and handling.
    • Included 64GB card is good but larger card recommended for continuous shooting.
  3. Q3 202595/1005.0★8 reviews

    Buyers are thrilled with the D850 as an upgrade, praising its features, ruggedness, and value. Some note Nikon's shift to mirrorless and price drops.

    • Excellent upgrade from D810/D90 with great features like touch screen and zoom.
    • Rugged build and extensive tutorials available for users.
    • Nikon reducing prices after purchase and moving to mirrorless concerns some.
    • Bundle with Flashpoint off-camera flash is lightweight and fast-charging.
  4. Q1 2025100/1005.0★5 reviews

    All five reviews are 5-star. Buyers praise the D850's image quality, build, and lens compatibility, though some note its weight and minor display quirks.

    • Excellent image quality and a significant upgrade from older models.
    • Heavy and bulky, causing discomfort during extended use.
    • Solid build, good balance, and compatibility with existing lenses.
    • LCD does not show exact frame number, only approximate count.
  5. Q2 2024100/1005.0★3 reviews

    Buyers praised the D850's value, compatibility with F-mount lenses, and familiar DSLR controls, with positive experiences from Adorama's service and bundled items.

    • Great value and competitive with mirrorless cameras.
    • Native use of affordable F-mount lenses.
    • Familiar DSLR controls and style preferred.
    • Useful bundled items and good service from Adorama.
  6. Q2 202396/1004.8★5 reviews

    Buyers praise the D850 as a fantastic, high-quality DSLR with amazing image clarity and sharpness. One experienced user notes it's a solid but not revolutionary upgrade from earlier models.

    • Excellent image quality, sharpness, and clarity praised by multiple buyers.
    • Overall satisfaction with the camera and purchase experience, including fast delivery.
    • One user found it a worthy but not transformative upgrade from older Nikon models.
    • Focus shift feature incompatible with non-AFS macro lenses, a disappointment for one user.
  7. Q4 202285/1004.6★11 reviews

    Buyers in Q4 2022 praised the D850's image quality, value, and features, but noted a known transfer bug and loud shutter noise.

    • Exceptional image quality and value, considered one of the best DSLRs ever.
    • Known bug prevents direct photo transfer via USB; no fix available.
    • Loud, clunky shutter noise; great for landscapes but not stealthy shooting.
    • Excellent autofocus and lens compatibility, especially with high-quality glass.
  8. Q3 2022100/1005.0★7 reviews

    All reviews are 5-star, praising the D850's image quality, dynamic range, and compatibility with F-mount lenses. Buyers are extremely satisfied, with some preferring it over mirrorless options.

    • Outstanding image quality and dynamic range, exceeding expectations.
    • Excellent compatibility with existing F-mount lenses and accessories.
    • Preferred over mirrorless cameras like the Z9, with no desire to switch.
    • Great value, especially with bundled flash and discounted lenses.
  9. Q2 202282/1004.8★17 reviews

    Buyers in Q2 2022 praised the D850's image quality, autofocus, and build, though one severe defect report noted focus, noise, and battery issues.

    • Excellent image quality, resolution, and low noise at high ISO.
    • Fast and accurate autofocus, even in low light.
    • Solid build quality, described as a tank and well-constructed.
    • One unit had severe focus, noise, battery, and line artifacts; Nikon service unhelpful.
  10. Q1 202281/1004.6★16 reviews

    Buyers in Q1 2022 praised the D850's image quality, low-light performance, and landscape capabilities. A few reported freezing issues during shoots, causing missed shots and disappointment.

    • Excellent image quality, sharpness, and low-light performance praised by many users.
    • Great for landscapes and wildlife photography; considered the best DSLR for these uses.
    • Camera freezes during shoots, causing missed shots and embarrassment for wedding photographers.
    • Some users note slow live view focusing; others find it acceptable for controlled settings.
  11. Q4 202198/1005.0★12 reviews

    Buyers in Q4 2021 overwhelmingly praised the D850 as an exceptional DSLR, highlighting its image quality, build, and low-light performance. Many upgraded from older models and found it a worthy investment.

    • Exceptional image quality and low-light performance, producing tack-sharp prints.
    • Solid build quality and ergonomic design, though some note it is heavy.
    • Steep learning curve for new users, but familiar controls ease transition from other Nikon models.
    • Lack of in-body image stabilization (IBIS) is a notable disappointment for legacy lens users.

Based on 107 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.

The proof

Performance

Performance Percentiles

AF 83.2
EVF 82.9
Build 98.3
Burst 67.2
Video 93.9
Sensor 71
Battery 99.8
Display 87.2
Connectivity 88
Social Proof 99.6
Stabilization 36.1

Specifications

Full Specifications

Sensor

Type BSI CMOS
Size full-frame
Megapixels 45.7 MP
ISO Range 64
Processor EXPEED 5

Autofocus

AF Points 153
AF Type Phase Detection: 153 (99 Cross-Type)
Eye AF Yes
Subject Detection Yes

Shooting

Burst (Mechanical) 7
Max Shutter 1/8000
Electronic Shutter Yes

Video

Max Resolution 4K
4K FPS 30
1080p FPS 60
10-bit No
Log Profile No
Codec H.264

Display & EVF

Screen Size 3.2"
Touchscreen Yes
Articulating Yes
EVF Resolution 2.36 M dots

Build

Weather Sealed Yes
Weight 0.9 kg / 2.0 lbs
Battery Life 1840

Connectivity

Wi-Fi Yes
Bluetooth Yes
USB USB 3.0
HDMI Mini-HDMI
Hot Shoe Yes

vs Competition

Spec Nikon D850 Sony a7R V Fujifilm X-T5 Canon EOS R6 Mark III Panasonic LUMIX S5 II OM System OM-1
Type DSLR mirrorless mirrorless mirrorless mirrorless mirrorless
Sensor 45.7MP full-frame 61MP full-frame 40.2MP aps-c 32.5MP full-frame 24.2MP full-frame 20.4MP micro-four-thirds
AF Points 153 693 425 1053 779 1053
Burst FPS 7 10 15 40 30 10
Video 4K @30fps 8K @60fps 6K @60fps 8K @120fps 6K @60fps 4K @60fps
IBIS false true true true true true
Weather Sealed true true true true true true
Weight (g) 915 723 557 609 658 511
Compare Compare Compare Compare Compare
Product AFEVFBuildBurstVideoSensorBatteryDisplayConnectivitySocial ProofStabilization
Nikon D850 83.282.998.367.293.97199.887.28899.636.1
Sony a7R V Compare 94.999.297.178.895.977.494.487.295.497.798.6
Fujifilm X-T5 Compare 90.391.494.48493.299.19787.290.397.795.2
Canon EOS R6 Mark III Compare 98.990.595.193.498.56597.59995.493.999.6
Panasonic LUMIX S5 II Compare 97.890.896.191.594.255.592.699.395.493.988.5
OM System OM-1 Compare 95.39885.294.786.248.495.987.289.284.688.5

Price

Value & Pricing

From $1,900 6 offers across 5 retailers
Newegg 1 offer From $1,900
Adorama 2 offers From $1,997
Amazon 1 offer From $2,397
B&H Photo 1 offer From $2,397
Best Buy 1 offer From $2,400

Price History

$1,800 $2,000 $2,200 $2,400 $2,600 May 1May 26Jul 6Aug 11Sep 12Oct 11 $2,397

Usage Scores

Overall (81.7)Video (81.4)Travel (64.6)Youtube (78.9)Beginner (85.8)Vlogging (63.5)Streaming (67.9)Photography (77.1)Wedding Events (81.6)Sports Wildlife (78.5)Product Photography (79)

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