Nikon D800
- Released: 2012
- Sensor: 36.3 MP CMOS (full-frame)
- Key Features:
- ISO Range: 100–6400 (expandable to 50–25600)
- Autofocus: 51-point AF system (15 cross-type sensors)
- Continuous Shooting: 4 fps (6 fps in DX crop mode with optional battery grip)
- Video: 1080p at 30/24 fps
- LCD Screen: 3.2-inch, 921k-dot fixed screen
- Build: Magnesium alloy body with weather sealing
- Dual Card Slots: CF and SD
- Weight: 900g (body only)
Nikon D810
- Released: 2014
- Sensor: 36.3 MP CMOS (full-frame, no optical low-pass filter)
- Key Improvements Over D800:
- ISO Range: 64–12800 (expandable to 32–51200) – better low-light performance
- Autofocus: Improved 51-point AF system with better low-light sensitivity
- Continuous Shooting: 5 fps (7 fps in DX crop mode with optional battery grip)
- Video: 1080p at 60/30/24 fps, with improved video features (flat picture profile, zebra stripes)
- LCD Screen: 3.2-inch, 1229k-dot fixed screen (sharper than D800)
- Build: Slightly improved ergonomics and weather sealing
- Dual Card Slots: CF and SD
- Weight: 880g (body only)
Nikon D850
- Released: 2017
- Sensor: 45.7 MP BSI CMOS (full-frame, no optical low-pass filter)
- Key Improvements Over D810:
- ISO Range: 64–25600 (expandable to 32–102400) – even better low-light performance
- Autofocus: 153-point AF system (99 cross-type sensors) with improved subject tracking
- Continuous Shooting: 7 fps (9 fps with optional battery grip)
- Video: 4K UHD at 30/25/24 fps, 1080p at 120 fps (slow motion)
- LCD Screen: 3.2-inch, 2359k-dot tilting touchscreen
- Build: Improved ergonomics and durability
- Dual Card Slots: XQD and SD (faster write speeds)
- Weight: 915g (body only)
- Additional Features:
- Focus stacking for macro photography
- Back-illuminated sensor for better dynamic range
- Improved battery life (1840 shots per charge)
- Built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for wireless connectivity
Comparison Table: Nikon D800 vs. D810 vs. D850
Feature | Nikon D800 (2012) | Nikon D810 (2014) | Nikon D850 (2017) |
---|---|---|---|
Sensor Resolution | 36.3 MP | 36.3 MP (no OLPF) | 45.7 MP (BSI, no OLPF) |
ISO Range | 100–6400 (50–25600 expanded) | 64–12800 (32–51200 expanded) | 64–25600 (32–102400 expanded) |
Autofocus | 51-point (15 cross-type) | 51-point (improved low-light) | 153-point (99 cross-type) |
Continuous Shooting | 4 fps (6 fps in DX mode with grip) | 5 fps (7 fps in DX mode with grip) | 7 fps (9 fps with grip) |
Video | 1080p at 30/24 fps | 1080p at 60/30/24 fps | 4K UHD at 30/25/24 fps, 1080p at 120 fps |
LCD Screen | 3.2-inch, 921k-dot fixed | 3.2-inch, 1229k-dot fixed | 3.2-inch, 2359k-dot tilting touchscreen |
Card Slots | CF + SD | CF + SD | XQD + SD |
Weight | 900g | 880g | 915g |
Additional Features | – | Improved ergonomics, flat video profile | Focus stacking, Bluetooth/Wi-Fi, BSI sensor |
Key Differences
- Sensor: The D850 has a higher-resolution 45.7 MP BSI sensor compared to the 36.3 MP sensors in the D800 and D810. The D810 and D850 also lack an optical low-pass filter for sharper images.
- Autofocus: The D850’s 153-point AF system is significantly more advanced than the 51-point systems in the D800 and D810.
- Video: The D850 supports 4K UHD video, while the D800 and D810 are limited to 1080p.
- LCD Screen: The D850 has a tilting touchscreen with higher resolution, making it more versatile for shooting at odd angles.
- Card Slots: The D850 uses faster XQD and SD cards, while the D800 and D810 use CF and SD cards.
- Continuous Shooting: The D850 offers faster continuous shooting speeds (7 fps, 9 fps with grip) compared to the D800 (4 fps) and D810 (5 fps).
Conclusion
- Nikon D800: A groundbreaking camera for its time, offering high resolution and professional features at a relatively affordable price.
- Nikon D810: A refined version of the D800 with better ISO performance, improved autofocus, and enhanced video capabilities.
- Nikon D850: The ultimate DSLR in this lineup, with a higher-resolution sensor, advanced autofocus, 4K video, and modern features like focus stacking and wireless connectivity.