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Nikon D300 vs Nikon D850

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD300NikonD850
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2007September 2017
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CFull frame
Sensor typeCMOSBackside-illuminated CMOS
Sensor dimensions23.6 × 15.8 mm35.9 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution12.3 MP45.7 MP
Largest image4288 × 28488256 × 5504
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–320064–25600
Sensor detail13.1 million total pixels; vibrating low-pass filter for dust removal; Image Dust Off reference data46.89 million total pixels; no optical low-pass filter; sensor cleaning and image-dust-off reference data. UK effective resolution rounded to 45.7 MP; Japan specifies 45.75 million, distinct from the 45.44-million-pixel largest file.
Image formats12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW, uncompressed, compressed or losslessly compressed; JPEG, TIFF RGB and RAW plus JPEG12/14-bit NEF RAW with lossless compression, compression or no compression; medium/small RAW fixed at 12-bit lossless; JPEG, RGB TIFF and RAW plus JPEG
ISO detailExpanded equivalents ISO 100–6400; Auto ISOExpandable to equivalent ISO 32–102400; Auto ISO available
Image processorEXPEED image-processing system; Scene Recognition SystemEXPEED 5
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon F mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationOptical lens stabilisation
Maximum continuous burst6 fps9 fps
Lens detailAF coupling supports compatible screw-drive lenses. Supported non-CPU AI lenses permit aperture-priority and manual exposure; entered lens data enables colour matrix metering. IX and F3AF lenses unsupportedCompatible F-mount lenses include G/E/D, other supported AF, P and AI non-CPU lenses with restrictions; DX lenses use a cropped image area. Non-AI, IX and F3AF lenses unsupported.
AutofocusMulti-CAM 3500DX phase detection; 51 points including 15 cross-type; single-point, auto-area and dynamic 9/21/51-point modes with 3D tracking; AF fine-tuningViewfinder Multi-CAM 20K phase detection with 153 points, 99 cross-type and 55 user-selectable; 15 support f/8. Live view uses contrast detection with face, wide, normal, pinpoint and tracking modes. Review references to a Multi-CAM 3500 module are incorrect.
Shutter1/8000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; standard flash sync 1/250 second, with 1/320 available at reduced flash range; shutter tested to 150000 cycles1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb and Time; mechanical focal-plane and electronic front-curtain options; flash sync 1/250 second with compatible Auto FP support; electronic silent live-view modes
Burst detailApproximately 6 fps with the body's EN-EL3e. Up to 8 fps using MB-D10 with EN-EL4/EN-EL4a or eight AA cells, or EH-5/EH-5a AC power; an EN-EL3e in the grip alone does not provide 8 fps. 14-bit RAW limits speed to approximately 2.5 fpsMain 9 fps requires optional MB-D18 grip, EN-EL18b battery and BL-5 cover; body with EN-EL15-series battery reaches 7 fps. Full-resolution silent Mode 1 reaches 6 fps. Brief silent Mode 2 reaches 30 fps for at most three seconds with fixed focus/exposure and 3600 × 2400 DX JPEG Normal files; this restricted mode is not the headline continuous rate.
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationNo sensor-shift stabilisation; optical VR depends on the attached lens. Electronic movie vibration reduction available with mode restrictions.
FlashPop-up i-TTL flash; guide number approximately 12 at ISO 100 in metres, 13 at full manual output; commander support, hot shoe and PC sync terminalNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe, ISO 519 sync terminal and compatible external i-TTL Speedlights
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M; 1005-pixel RGB 3D Colour Matrix Metering II; ±5 EV compensation; Active D-Lighting and interval timerP/S/A/M; ±5 EV compensation; 180K-pixel RGB metering sensor, unlike Photography Blog's erroneous 91K-pixel narrative
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″3.2″
Screen dots920,0002,359,000
Touchscreen–Yes
Tilting screenNoYes
Display detailFixed TFT with 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels; removable protective coverTilting TFT, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; maker US announcement specifies 2359K dots, Japan rounds to approximately 2.36 million; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detailPentaprism, approximately 100% coverage and 0.94× magnification with 50mm at infinity; 19.5 mm eyepoint; selectable gridPentaprism, approximately 100% FX coverage, 0.75× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity, 17 mm eyepoint and −3 to +1 dioptre adjustment
Connections and design
Wi-FiNoYes
Bluetooth–Yes
Battery life (maker's claim)1000 photographs1840 photographs
Body weight825 g915 g
Release detailNikon's original US announcement specifies November 2007 availability; Japan records 23 November. Main retains the monthAnnounced on 24 August 2017 after a July development announcement; Nikon US states September availability and Nikon Japan specified 8 September. Main retains September because the exact first UK retail day is unconfirmed.
Recording mediaCompactFlash Type I/II, including UDMA, and Microdrive; single slotCurrent maker specification supports CFexpress Type B/XQD plus UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG separation and card copying. Launch specification had XQD plus SD.
PortsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, analogue NTSC/PAL output, full-size HDMI Type A (HDMI 1.3a), ten-pin accessory terminal and PC flash sync; optional MC-35 connects compatible external GPS receiversUSB 3.0 Micro-B, mini HDMI Type C, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets, 10-pin remote terminal and flash-sync socket; Ethernet requires the optional WT-7 transmitter
Wireless connectionsOptional WT-4 transmitter supplies network transfer; Wi-Fi is not built into the bodyWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 4.1; SnapBridge
Battery life detailEN-EL3e; approximately 1000 shots under CIPA conditions with AF-S VR 24–120mm f/3.5–5.6G ED, flash on alternate exposures and no live view. Separate Nikon continuous test claims approximately 3000. Optional MB-D10 accepts EN-EL3e, EN-EL4/EN-EL4a or eight AA cellsEN-EL15a/15b; maker CIPA claim approximately 1840 shots using the camera's own EN-EL15-series battery, not requiring the D5 battery as UK marketing prose could suggest. EN-EL15c may be supplied. Optional MB-D18 supports EN-EL18b, EN-EL15-series or eight AA cells.
ChargingExternal MH-18a charger; optional EH-5/EH-5a AC adapterExternal MH-25a charger; optional EH-5c/EH-5b AC adapter and EP-5B power connector
DimensionsApproximately 147 × 114 × 74 mmApproximately 146 × 124 × 78.5 mm
Weight detailApproximately 825 g excluding battery, card, body cap and monitor coverApproximately 915 g body only or 1005 g including battery and XQD card, excluding body cap
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy construction with dust and moisture seals; not a waterproof ratingWeather-sealed construction; maker operating range 0–40°C
In the box–EN-EL15-series battery, MH-25a charger, HDMI/USB cable clip, UC-E22 USB cable, AN-DC18 strap, BF-1B body cap and DK-17F eyepiece; battery revision may vary
Video
Highest video resolution–3840 × 2160 at 29.97 fps
Video detailNo movie recording. Handheld live view uses phase-detection AF with mirror interruption; Tripod live view uses contrast-detection AFFull-width FX or DX UHD 3840 × 2160 at 29.97/25/23.976p; Full HD up to 59.94p and cropped silent slow-motion capture at 100/119.88 fps played at 25/29.97/23.976p. H.264 MOV/MP4; recording limit 29 minutes 59 seconds. In-camera 4K time-lapse; 8K time-lapse requires still-frame assembly in external software.
Audio–Built-in stereo microphones, external 3.5 mm microphone input and headphone monitoring; PCM or AAC depending on file format; slow motion has no audio

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