Nikon D850 was released in 08-2017 & D800 in 06-2012. Both are good cameras with some similarities & differences, but if you are looking for the best one I would recommend the Nikon D850 rather than D800.
Why Do I Recommend Nikon D850?
- The max camera resolution of this camera is 45.7 megapixels, while the other has 36.3 megapixels. Nikon D850’s higher image resolution lets you take intensively detailed images with low noise.
- It has a touchscreen display that helps to focus on any specific object by tapping on the screen. In addition, D800 doesn’t have a touchscreen display.
- Nikon D850 is built with an Expeed 5 Processor for high-speed continuous shooting, reducing noise & sharpening the image. On the other side, Nikon D800 has an Expeed 3 Processor.
- It has 153 focus points, which helps to focus on 153 objects at the same time, whereas the D800 has 51 focus points.
- The continuous shooting speed of the Nikon D850 is 7 fps, it can take up to 7 pictures in a second, which helps to shoot fast-moving objects like Racing bikes. whereas D800 can take up to 4.
- It features a 25600 ISO range which ensures you capture incredible images in a low-light environment, but Nikon D800’s highest ISO range is only 6400.
- Nikon D850 has up to 1840 shots of battery life per charge which is huge compared to the Nikon D800’s 900 shots. You won’t be disappointed with your shots.
- It has 2359k dots higher resolution screen that helps to display more detailed visual information than the D800. Nikon D800 has 921k dots screen resolution.
- Nikon D850 can record high-resolution 4k video while D800 can shoot only Full HD video. With D850 you can record beautiful 3840×2160 realistic video with every single detail.
- If you want to do a live show or live concert you can do it with Nikon D850, just connect the camera to wifi and it’s ready to go. Nikon D800 can’t connect with wifi.
- The tilting display of Nikon D850 allows shooting at different angles. which is helpful while taking selfies or making vlog videos. The Nikon D800 display is fixed.
- You can remotely control Nikon D850 from your phone to take a photo or make a video, but D800 is not controllable from the phone.
- Anti Flicker feature is available on Nikon D850 that helps to reduce uneven color and exposure under flickering light but Nikon D800 Doesn’t have it.
- Nikon D850 also combines with the 8k time-lapse video, but the other one doesn’t.
Maybe the Nikon D800 price can make you comfortable because it’s cheaper than the D850. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features, which is not a good idea. After all, the choice is yours.
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Side By Side Comparison Chart
| General | Nikon D850 | Nikon D800 |
| Rating | 4.8 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Sensor Type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.9 x 23.9 mm | 35.9 x 24 mm |
| Sensor Area | 858.01mm2 | 861.60mm2 |
| Sensor Megapixels | 46 megapixels | 36 megapixels |
| Sensor Max Resolution | 8256 x 5504 | 7360 x 4912 |
| Max Native Light sensitivity | 25,600 ISO | 6,400 ISO |
| Max Boosted Light Sensitivity | 102400 ISO | 25600 ISO |
| Min Native Light sensitivity | 64 ISO | 100 ISO |
| Min Boosted Light Sensitivity | 32 ISO | – |
| AF Touch | Yes | No |
| Screen Resolution | 2,359k dots | 921k dots |
| Continuous Shooting | 7.0 fps | 4.0 fps |
| Number of Focus Points | 153 | 51 |
| Touch Screen | Yes | No |
| Screen Type | Tilting | Fixed type |
| Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
| Flash Range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Max Video Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Video Formats | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Wireless Connectivity | Built-In | None |
| Weight | 1015g | 900g |
| Dimensions | 146 x 124 x 79mm | 146 x 123 x 82mm |
| Battery Life | 1840 shots | 900 shots |
| Price | Check D850 Price | Check D800 Price |
What Common Both DSLRs Can Do?
- The highest shutter speed in both devices is 1/8000. If you want to capture any racing car or bike you will get the same picture from both cameras without getting blurred.
- Nikon D850 & D800 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.
- AE Bracketing is available in both DSLR which helps to shoot equally in tough lighting conditions or shadow areas.
- Both comes with a microphone port where you can attach a microphone & shoot video with crystal clear sound quality.
- Nikon D850 & D800has Live view() option. This option allows you to see some shoots before and after you press the shutter button to select the perfect picture. Some people call it shooting while viewing a real-time image.
- Timelapse recording feature avilable in both DSLR for creative shooting.
If you are okay with the avobe mentioned features then you can pick any one of these, and If you want to get the best one with everything then you should pick Nikon D850.
Common Features In Both
| General | Nikon D850 | Nikon D800 |
| Manual Focus | Yes | Yes |
| Screen Size | 3.20″ | 3.20″ |
| Number of Available Lenses | 316 | 316 |
| Viewfinder | Optical | Optical |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.75x | 0.7x |
| Max Mechanical Shutter | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
| Manual Exposure Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Max Flash Sync | 1/250s | 1/250s |
| External Flash | Yes | Yes |
| RAW Support | Yes | Yes |
| AF Continuous | Yes | Yes |
| AF Single | Yes | Yes |
| AF Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| AF Live View | Yes | Yes |
| AF Face Detection | Yes | Yes |
| AF Phase Detection | Yes | Yes |
| AE Bracketing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Port | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI | Yes | Yes |
| Environmental Sealing | Yes | Yes |
| Timelapse Recording | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Price | Check D850 Price | Check D800 Price |
Frequently Asked Questions about Nikon D800 vs D850
Do they have Flash? Yes, both devices come up with a built-in flash, which is excellent. Are they equipped with Wifi? No, only the D850 device is equipped with Wifi so that you can easily transfer data. Are they the US version of Nikon? Yes, Nikon D800 and 850 are the US version devices, also they cover a one-year limited warranty. What is the shutter count on the D800? The Nikon D800’s shutter count is 29,075. What about the ISO ranges? Nikon D850 has the highest ISO range of 25600, whereas the D800 range is 6400. |