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Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z 7II

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD850NikonZ 7II
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2017December 2020
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeBackside-illuminated CMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 23.9 mm35.9 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution45.7 MP45.7 MP
Largest image8256 × 55048256 × 5504
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range64–2560064–25600
Sensor detail46.89 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.UK publishes 45.7 million effective pixels, Japan 45.75 million; 46.89 million total. Image-sensor cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data; backside illumination identified by both reviews.
Image formats12/14-bit NEF RAW with lossless compression, compression or no compression; medium/small RAW fixed at 12-bit lossless; JPEG, RGB TIFF and RAW plus JPEGNEF RAW 12/14-bit with lossless, compressed or uncompressed options; medium/small RAW restricted to 12-bit lossless; JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG. DX, 5:4, square and 16:9 still crops supported.
ISO detailExpandable to equivalent ISO 32–102400; Auto ISO availableExpandable to equivalent ISO 32–102400; auto ISO available
Image processorEXPEED 5Dual EXPEED 6 (Photography Blog and TechRadar)
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon Z mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst9 fps10 fps
Lens detailCompatible 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.NIKKOR Z lenses; compatible F-mount NIKKOR lenses require an adapter with model-dependent restrictions
AutofocusViewfinder 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.Hybrid phase/contrast detection, 493 single-point FX positions and human/animal face and eye detection. Maker sensitivity −3 EV or −4 EV with low-light AF, in AF-S at ISO 100, 20°C and f/2.0.
Shutter1/8000 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 modesMechanical focal-plane, electronic front-curtain and electronic shutters; 1/8000 to 30 seconds, Bulb/Time and manual extension to 900 seconds. Flash sync 1/200 second; Auto FP supported.
Burst detailMain 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.Continuous H extended up to 10 fps, or approximately 9 fps with 14-bit RAW; maximum requires MF/AF-S or AF-C single-point AF, otherwise approximately 9/8 fps respectively. Continuous H 5.5 fps or 5 fps with 14-bit RAW; Continuous L 1–5 fps. Silent-shutter and buffer/card/settings further limit speed.
Stabilisation detailNo sensor-shift stabilisation; optical VR depends on the attached lens. Electronic movie vibration reduction available with mode restrictions.Five-axis image-sensor shift plus supported lens VR; TechRadar describes a five-stop claim and regularly achieved about three stops in its testing
FlashNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe, ISO 519 sync terminal and compatible external i-TTL SpeedlightsNo built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe with compatible i-TTL Speedlights and wireless-flash accessories
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M; ±5 EV compensation; 180K-pixel RGB metering sensor, unlike Photography Blog's erroneous 91K-pixel narrativeAuto/P/S/A/M and three user-setting banks; compensation ±5 EV; matrix, centre-weighted, spot and highlight-weighted metering
Video
Highest video resolution3840 × 2160 at 29.97 fps3840 × 2160 at 59.94 fps
Video detailFull-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.UHD 3840 × 2160 up to 59.94p; 60/50p uses Normal quality at up to 360 Mbps and cannot be selected with a DX lens. TechRadar reports a 1.08× crop at 4K/60p and full sensor width at 4K/30p. Full HD up to 119.88p uses a DX image area at 120/100p; 4×/5× slow-motion modes omit audio. MOV/MP4 H.264, recordings up to 29 minutes 59 seconds with mode/card restrictions; electronic VR, timecode, time-lapse, external N-Log and HLG output.
AudioBuilt-in stereo microphones, external 3.5 mm microphone input and headphone monitoring; PCM or AAC depending on file format; slow motion has no audioBuilt-in stereo microphones or 3.5 mm external microphone with attenuator; PCM in MOV or AAC in MP4, headphone monitoring available
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalElectronic
Screen size3.2″3.2″
Screen dots2,359,0002,100,000
TouchscreenYesYes
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailTilting TFT, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; maker US announcement specifies 2359K dots, Japan rounds to approximately 2.36 million; dots count subpixelsTilting touchscreen, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detailPentaprism, approximately 100% FX coverage, 0.75× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity, 17 mm eyepoint and −3 to +1 dioptre adjustment0.5-inch Quad-VGA OLED, approximately 3.69 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 21 mm eyepoint
Connections and design
Wi-FiYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
Battery life (maker's claim)1840 photographs440 photographs
Body weight915 g615 g
Release detailAnnounced 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.Nikon Japan records first sale on 11 December 2020; exact first UK retail day is not independently established
Recording mediaCurrent 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.One CFexpress Type B/XQD slot and one UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slot; overflow, backup, RAW/JPEG separation and card copying
PortsUSB 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 transmitterUSB-C SuperSpeed USB, HDMI Type C mini connector, 3.5 mm microphone/headphone sockets and accessory terminal for compatible remote cords
Wireless connectionsWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 4.1; SnapBridgeWi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4/5 GHz and Bluetooth 4.2; SnapBridge
Battery life detailEN-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.EN-EL15c; CIPA monitor approximately 440 shots with power saving or 420 without; EVF 380 with power saving or 360 without. Movie battery claim approximately 105 minutes with monitor or 100 with EVF. Earlier EN-EL15 variants give fewer shots; optional MB-N11/MB-N10 hold two batteries.
ChargingExternal MH-25a charger; optional EH-5c/EH-5b AC adapter and EP-5B power connectorUSB-C charging/power with compatible equipment; in-camera charging supports EN-EL15c/15b; MH-25a external charger, optional EH-7P or compatible AC adapter with EP-5B connector
DimensionsApproximately 146 × 124 × 78.5 mmApproximately 134 × 100.5 × 69.5 mm
Weight detailApproximately 915 g body only or 1005 g including battery and XQD card, excluding body capApproximately 615 g body only or 705 g with battery/card, excluding body cap
MaterialsWeather-sealed construction; maker operating range 0–40°CWeather sealing described by both reviews; maker operating range 0–40°C
In the boxEN-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 varyBF-N1 body cap, DK-29 eyecup, EN-EL15c battery, MH-25a charger, HDMI/USB clip, AN-DC19 strap, UC-E24 USB cable and BS-1 shoe cover; charger plug varies by region, current Japan also lists AN-DC26 as a strap alternative

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