Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z6

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z6

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.

35mm 858.0mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon Z6 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon Z6 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Z6.
Compare Nikon Z6 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon Z6 conclusion.

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Differences

Nikon D850 advantages over Nikon Z6

Fast startup
~0.20 vs 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 380 shots
Capture more photos
Less shutter lag
0.08 vs 0.20 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
45.7 vs 24.5 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 47 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 35 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Nikon Z6 advantages over Nikon D850

Less expensive
$1899 vs $2497*
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 5.94 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.
Z6 test data on DxO Mark D850 test data on DxO Mark

3,299 vs 2,660 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer video battery life
85 vs 70 minutes
Capture more video
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
12.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
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 panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z6 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D850

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaker's Kit

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z6

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-70mm f/4 S lens
Kit with 24-70mm lens and FTZ adapter

Review Excerpt

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

Great image quality; Terrific high ISO performance; Fast AF speeds; Eye AF; Swift 12fps burst shooting; In-body image stabilization; High-quality 4K video; Robust build quality; Familiar Nikon design.
Single XQD card slot; Default high ISO NR a bit strong; No 4K 60p; 1/200s x-sync speed; Limited native lens selection (at this time).
Read our Nikon Z6 Review

The Competition

Compared to 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

Nikon Z6

Canon 5DS R

$1797
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1729
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to 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

Nikon Z6

Sony A99 II

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Sony A99 II

Compared to 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

Nikon Z6

Pentax K-1 II

$1797
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

$1747
35mm

High resolution composite
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Sony A7 III

Nikon D850

Sony A7 III

$2664
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

$1865
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6

Sony A7 III

$1797
35mm

Top deck display
More dots on screen

$1865
35mm

NFC
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 III

Compared to Canon EOS R

Nikon D850

Canon EOS R

$2664
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$1583
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon EOS R

Nikon Z6

Canon EOS R

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1583
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Canon EOS R

Compare Other Cameras?