Canon 6D Mark II vs Nikon D850

Cameras
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Canon 6D Mark II vs Nikon D850

35mm 861.6mm²
26.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 40,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 6D Mark II Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 6D Mark II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 6D Mark II.
Compare Canon 6D Mark II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 6D 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.

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Differences

Canon 6D Mark II advantages over Nikon D850

Less expensive
$1799 vs $2497*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Bigger pixels
~ 5.67 vs 4.35 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

Nikon D850 advantages over Canon 6D Mark II

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 0.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D850 test data on DxO Mark 6D Mark II test data on DxO Mark

14.8 vs 11.9 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
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 1200 shots
Capture more photos
More cross-type AF points
99 vs 45
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Higher-res screen
590k vs 347k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More pixels
45.7 vs 26.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
153 vs 45
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 98 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 20 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 6D Mark II

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Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm IS II USM lens
Kit with 24-105mm IS STM lens

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Buy the Nikon D850

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaker's Kit

Review Excerpt

Great vari-angle touchscreen; Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Good image quality in most situations; Impressive performance for its class.
Disappointing dynamic range; No 4K video; Optical viewfinder comes up short; Narrow AF point coverage through viewfinder.
Read our Canon 6D 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 Nikon D610

Canon 6D Mark II

Nikon D610

$1399
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$1271
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 6D Mark II vs Nikon D610

Nikon D850

Nikon D610

$2664
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1271
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D850 vs Nikon D610

Compared to Nikon D750

Canon 6D Mark II

Nikon D750

$1399
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1698
35mm

More dynamic range
Internal flash

Compare Canon 6D Mark II vs Nikon D750

Nikon D850

Nikon D750

$2664
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1698
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D850 vs Nikon D750

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Canon 6D Mark II

Canon 5DS R

$1399
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Bigger pixels

$1729
35mm

Less expensive
More pixels

Compare Canon 6D Mark II vs Canon 5DS R

Nikon D850

Canon 5DS R

$2664
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1729
35mm

Less expensive

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Sony A99 II

Canon 6D Mark II

Sony A99 II

$1399
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3198
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 6D 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 6D Mark II

Pentax K-1 II

$1399
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Bigger pixels

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 6D 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?