Canon 1DX Mark II vs Nikon D850

Cameras
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Canon 1DX Mark II vs Nikon D850

35mm 864.0mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Canon 1DX Mark II Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 1DX Mark II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 1DX Mark II.
Compare Canon 1DX Mark II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 1DX Mark II conclusion.

35mm 858.0mm²
45.7 megapixels
ISO 64 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D850 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D850 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D850.
Compare Nikon D850 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D850 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 1DX Mark III
Compare 1DX Mark II vs 1DX Mark III
Compare Canon 1DX Mark III vs Nikon D850

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Differences

Canon 1DX Mark II advantages over Nikon D850

Bigger pixels
~ 6.58 vs 4.35 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
1DX Mark II test data on DxO Mark D850 test data on DxO Mark

3,207 vs 2,660 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
14.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 200 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
14.1 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 200 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
409600 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D850 advantages over Canon 1DX Mark II

Less expensive
$2497* vs $6299
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1840 vs 1210 shots
Capture more photos
More cross-type AF points
99 vs 41
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Lighter weight
915g vs 1544g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
2359k vs 1620k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
45.7 vs 20.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
153 vs 61
More AF points improve autofocus
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

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Filmmaker's Kit

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality, especially from RAWs; Fantastic high ISO performance; Fast autofocus with great tracking performance; 14fps burst rate; Amazing buffer capacity; 4K 60p video; Robust build quality.
Very heavy, bulky and expensive; Dual memory card slots use different formats; 29:59 continuous video recording limit; Touchscreen feels underutilized.
Read our Canon 1DX Mark II Review

Class-leading resolution; Excellent dynamic range; Very good high ISO performance; Very fast AF and burst shooting; Durable weather-sealed body; Improved ergonomics; Touchscreen; Dual card slots; 4K video.
Live view/video mode still uses sluggish contrast-detect AF; Viewfinder only tests at ~98% coverage; No 4K at 60p; 30-minute video clip limit; Focus peaking not supported with 4K.
Read our Nikon D850 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Canon 1DX Mark II

Canon EOS-1D C

$2999
35mm

Touchscreen
Built-in GPS

$6989
35mm

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D850

Canon EOS-1D C

$2664
35mm

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$6989
35mm

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Nikon D4S

Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D4S

$2999
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$5999
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Nikon D4S

Nikon D850

Nikon D4S

$2664
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$5999
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D850 vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5

$2999
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

$5143
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Nikon D5

Nikon D850

Nikon D5

$2664
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$5143
35mm

Bigger pixels
Longer video battery life

Compare Nikon D850 vs Nikon D5

Compared to Sony A99 II

Canon 1DX Mark II

Sony A99 II

$2999
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$3198
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

$2664
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Canon 1DX Mark II

Pentax K-1 II

$2999
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Canon 1DX Mark II vs Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II

$2664
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compare Other Cameras?