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Nikon D850 review: 45.7MP and an optical finder in one pro DSLR

Nikon's high-resolution pro DSLR, launched in 2017 at $3,299.95 (body only). Who it suits: landscape, wedding and wildlife shooters who want huge files and an optical viewfinder.

October 23, 2026 · Camera · Review

Related on site: A mirrorless Nikon with a similar mix of resolution and speed: our Nikon Z8 review. A cheaper full-frame Nikon DSLR: our Nikon D780 review. A Canon full-frame DSLR: our Canon EOS 5D Mark IV review.

An abandoned house on open ground below mountains in Iceland
An abandoned house below mountains in Iceland.
Photo: Eric Kilby via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)

HIGHLIGHTS

Why it exists. The D850 was Nikon's first FX DSLR with a back-side illuminated sensor, built to put 45.7MP resolution and pro-level speed in one body. Nikon Corporation pitched it across "landscape, commercial sports, fashion and wedding genres, and multimedia content." Kosuke Kawaura, Director of Marketing and Planning at Nikon Inc., said: "The Nikon D850 is much more than a camera, rather it's a statement that Nikon is continuing to listen to customer needs, to innovate for the next 100 years, and bring to market a full-frame DSLR that exceeds the expectations of the professionals that rely on this caliber of camera to make a living."

Nikon launched the D850 in 2017 at $3,299.95 body-only. It pairs that 45.7MP sensor with the EXPEED 5 engine, a 153-point autofocus system (99 cross-type), 7 fps bursts (9 fps with the MB-D18 grip and an EN-EL18b battery), full-frame 4K video, and XQD plus SD card slots. Battery life is a DSLR strength: Nikon rates about 1,840 shots per charge.

The caveats: it is heavy at about 1005 g with battery and card, and it uses Nikon's F mount rather than the newer Z mount. Who should buy it? Landscape, studio, wedding and wildlife photographers who want very detailed files and an optical finder. Our gallery comes from five photographers: an abandoned house and basalt columns in Iceland, a botanic garden, koi at the Wilhelma zoo, a butterfly in Namibia and a field in Austria.

The story

Nikon Inc. announced the D850 on August 24, 2017, at a suggested retail price of $3,299.95 for the body (Nikon Inc.). The release lists dual card slots (XQD and SD) and up to 5,140 shots per charge with the optional MB-D18 battery grip.

Nikon Corporation's global release gives the ISO range, the 153-point AF system and a battery rating of about 1,840 shots or about 70 minutes of movie recording per charge (Nikon Corporation).

Nikon's D850 product page carries the full spec table, including the sensor size, video modes, tilting touch screen and weight (Nikon D850 specifications).

Specifications

Key specs for the Nikon D850, from Nikon's D850 specifications, Nikon Corporation's August 24, 2017 release and Nikon Inc.'s release. Source for each row in brackets.

Sensor45.7MP FX back-illuminated CMOS (35.9 × 23.9 mm); EXPEED 5 [Nikon specifications]
ISO64–25600; Lo 1 (ISO 32 equiv.) to Hi 2 (ISO 102400 equiv.) [Nikon specifications, Nikon global release]
AutofocusMulti-CAM 20K, 153 points (99 cross-type), 55 selectable [Nikon specifications, Nikon global release]
Bursts7 fps; 9 fps with the MB-D18 grip and EN-EL18b battery [Nikon specifications]
Video4K UHD 3840 × 2160 at 30/25/24p (full frame); 1080 up to 60p; MOV/MP4 [Nikon specifications]
Screen3.2-in. tilting touch LCD, approx. 2359k dots [Nikon specifications]
CardsDual: XQD and SD (UHS-II) [Nikon specifications, Nikon Inc.]
BatteryEN-EL15a; approx. 1,840 shots or approx. 70 min of movies per charge; up to 5,140 shots with the MB-D18 (CIPA) [Nikon global release, Nikon Inc.]
WeightApprox. 1005 g with battery and XQD card (915 g body only) [Nikon specifications]
Announced / priceAug 24, 2017; $3,299.95 SRP body only (US) [Nikon Inc.]

Sample photos

Six photos taken with the Nikon D850 by five photographers, shared on Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licenses. The first is at the top of this review; the other five are below. Select a photo to enlarge it. More samples from Wikimedia Commons

A black-and-white view of a wall of basalt columns above a beach
Basalt columns looking toward the beach.
Photo: Eric Kilby via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
Trees and tall pale grasses behind a curb at a botanic garden
Trees and grasses at a botanic garden.
Photo: PumpkinSky via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized)
Orange and grey fish swimming among branches in a blue aquarium
Fish in an aquarium at the Wilhelma zoo, Stuttgart.
Photo: Karlheinz Klingbeil via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)
A white butterfly with dark-edged wings on a flower stem
A butterfly at Solitaire, Namibia.
Photo: Christoph Strässler via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
A broad field running to a line of woodland under a blue sky
The edge of the Dietacher Holz woodland, Austria.
Photo: Bernhard Holub via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)

Nikon: Launched at $3,299.95 in 2017 (US, body only).

Verdict

Who it's for: landscape, studio, wedding and wildlife photographers who want 45.7MP files, an optical viewfinder and long battery life, and who already own or want F-mount lenses.

Prefer mirrorless with a similar mix of resolution and speed? See our Nikon Z8 review.

Strengths

  • 45.7MP back-illuminated sensor down to ISO 64
  • 153-point AF (99 cross-type) through an optical viewfinder
  • 7 fps, or 9 fps with the MB-D18 grip
  • About 1,840 shots per charge (up to 5,140 with the grip)
  • Full-frame 4K; dual XQD and SD slots; tilting touch screen

Trade-offs

  • About 1005 g with battery and card
  • XQD cards cost more than SD
  • F mount: new lens development has moved to Nikon Z
  • Video autofocus through Live View is not its strength compared with newer hybrid bodies
Check price: Amazon (new, body) Check price: Amazon (Renewed, body)

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Further discussion

Sources