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Nikon D3X vs Nikon D850

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD3XNikonD850
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2008September 2017
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeCMOSBackside-illuminated CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 24 mm35.9 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution24.5 MP45.7 MP
Largest image6048 × 40328256 × 5504
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–160064–25600
Sensor detail25.72 million total pixels; FX, DX and 5:4 image areas; maximum DX image 3968 × 2640 and 5:4 image 5056 × 4032. No automatic sensor-cleaning mechanism; Image Dust Off reference data can be used with optional Capture NX 246.89 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 50–6400; 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 burst5 fps9 fps
Lens detailAF coupling supports compatible screw-drive lenses; DX lenses supported with automatic crop. Supported non-CPU AI lenses permit aperture-priority and manual exposure, with colour matrix metering when lens data is entered; 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 3500FX 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; flash sync 1/250 second; shutter tested to 300000 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 5 fps at full FX resolution or in 5:4; up to 7 fps in the 10.5-megapixel DX crop. Recording 14-bit NEF RAW reduces the maximum to 1.8 fps in FX/5:4 or 2.6 fps in DX. Maker rates require continuous-servo AF, shutter-priority or manual exposure, at least 1/250 second and other specified default settingsMain 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.
FlashNo built-in flash; hot shoe and PC sync terminal; compatible external Speedlights provide i-TTL and Creative Lighting System functionsNo 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-LightingP/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; separate top and rear status panelsTilting 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% FX coverage, 97% DX coverage and 100% vertical/97% horizontal in 5:4; 0.7× magnification with 50mm at infinity; 18 mm eyepoint; replaceable focusing screen and eyepiece shutterPentaprism, 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)4400 photographs1840 photographs
Body weight1220 g915 g
Release detailNikon's original US announcement specifies December 2008 availability; Japan records 19 December. 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 mediaTwo CompactFlash Type I/II slots, including UDMA and Microdrive support; overflow, backup, separate RAW/JPEG recording and card-to-card copyingCurrent 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, ten-pin accessory terminal and PC flash sync; optional GP-1 or MC-35 connects external GPS equipmentUSB 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-EL4a; approximately 4400 shots under CIPA conditions with AF-S NIKKOR 24–70mm f/2.8G ED and no live view. Separate Nikon continuous test claims approximately 5300 with AF-S VR 70–200mm f/2.8 ED; EN-EL4 also supportedEN-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-22 charger; optional MH-21 charger and EH-6 AC adapterExternal MH-25a charger; optional EH-5c/EH-5b AC adapter and EP-5B power connector
DimensionsApproximately 159.5 × 157 × 87.5 mmApproximately 146 × 124 × 78.5 mm
Weight detailApproximately 1220 g excluding battery, card, body cap and accessory-shoe coverApproximately 915 g body only or 1005 g including battery and XQD card, excluding body cap
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy construction with dust and moisture seals; integrated vertical grip; 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; 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.
AudioVoice memo recording and playback for still photographs; not movie audioBuilt-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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