Comparing the Nikon D750 and D850

I have been using a Nikon D750 for a number of years and recently acquired a D850 to add to the collection. It is still a remarkable camera 5 years after release and shows excellent value for money vs switching to Mirrorless and the cost of selling and replacing all my F mount lenses.

One of my first photos with my new (to me) D850 - shot with the Nikon 20mm f1.8G

The Nikon D850 and D750 are two of the most popular full-frame DSLR cameras offered by Nikon. Both cameras have their own strengths and weaknesses, and in this article, we will be comparing the Nikon D850 and D750 to help you choose which camera is better suited for your photography needs.

Sensor and Image Quality:

The Nikon D850 comes with a 45.7-megapixel sensor, while the Nikon D750 has a 24.3-megapixel sensor. The D850 offers higher resolution and better image quality due to the larger sensor size. Additionally, the D850 has a higher ISO range of 64 to 25,600, which can be further expanded up to 102,400, whereas the D750 has an ISO range of 100 to 12,800, which can be expanded up to 51,200. The higher ISO range of the D850 allows for better low-light performance and less noise in the images.

Shot with a Sigma 150-600 on a D750

Autofocus System:

The Nikon D850 has a 153-point autofocus system, while the D750 has a 51-point autofocus system. The D850 autofocus system is more advanced and provides better accuracy and precision in focusing, especially when using the camera for fast-paced action photography or in challenging lighting conditions. The D850 also has a more advanced autofocus tracking system, which helps in tracking moving subjects. I am yet to have a chance to fully utilize the D850 but will find an airshow or two this summer to see how it performs!

Shot with D750 & Sigma 150-600mm

Speed and Performance:

The Nikon D850 has a faster burst rate of 7 frames per second (fps), compared to the D750's burst rate of 6.5 fps. The D850 also has a larger buffer, which means it can shoot more frames in a continuous burst without slowing down. Additionally, the D850 has a higher resolution image sensor, which can result in larger file sizes and slower processing speeds compared to the D750. It is one thing to be aware of is - you updgrade one thing and there are a range of knock ons, from the price of XQD cards to the computing power needed to process 50mb RAW files.

Shot during the peak of the pandemic when I was stuck in my apartment and during a massive storm setup my tripod shooting out my balcony door. D750 & Sigma 150-600mm

Video Capabilities:

Both cameras are capable of shooting Full HD 1080p video at up to 60 fps. However, the D850 can shoot 4K UHD video at up to 30 fps, while the D750 is limited to Full HD only. The D850 also has a better slow-motion video capability, with the ability to shoot at 120 fps in Full HD mode.

Other Features:

The Nikon D850 has a better LCD screen, with a higher resolution of 2,359k dots compared to the D750's 1,229k dots. The D850 also has a larger touch screen, which can be useful for navigating menus and selecting focus points. The D850 also has two card slots (one XQD and one SD), while the D750 only has one SD card slot.

Conclusion:

In summary, both the Nikon D850 and D750 are excellent cameras that offer high-quality images and advanced features. The D850 has a higher resolution sensor, faster autofocus system, faster burst rate, and better video capabilities. On the other hand, the D750 is smaller, lighter, and more affordable, making it a great option for those on a budget. Ultimately, the choice between these two cameras depends on your specific photography needs and budget and there really are no wrong answers and its amazing we have this amount of choice if you are yet to make the move to mirrorless.