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Nikon D500 Vs D850 Autofocus: The Key To Capturing Every Decisive Moment

Drew is a passionate photographer and the founder of the popular camera review blog, "DrewCaptures." With over a decade of experience behind the lens, Drew has developed a deep understanding of the latest camera gear and technologies.

What To Know

  • The Nikon D500’s autofocus points cover approximately 90% of the frame, while the D850’s autofocus points cover approximately 90% of the frame.
  • The Nikon D500’s autofocus system is very fast, and it can focus on a subject in as little as 0.
  • The D850’s autofocus system is even faster, and it can focus on a subject in as little as 0.

The Nikon D500 and D850 are two of the most popular DSLRs on the market, and both offer excellent autofocus systems. However, there are some key differences between the two cameras’ autofocus systems that photographers should be aware of. In this blog post, we’ll compare the Nikon D500 vs D850 autofocus systems in detail, so you can make an informed decision about which camera is right for you.

Autofocus System Type

The Nikon D500 uses a hybrid autofocus system that combines phase-detection and contrast-detection autofocus. The D850, on the other hand, uses a pure phase-detection autofocus system. Phase-detection autofocus is generally faster and more accurate than contrast-detection autofocus, so the D850 has a slight edge in this area.

Number of Autofocus Points

The Nikon D500 has 153 autofocus points, while the D850 has 153 autofocus points. This means that both cameras have plenty of autofocus points to cover a wide area of the frame.

Autofocus Coverage

The Nikon D500’s autofocus points cover approximately 90% of the frame, while the D850’s autofocus points cover approximately 90% of the frame. This means that both cameras have excellent autofocus coverage, and you’ll be able to focus on subjects anywhere in the frame.

Autofocus Sensitivity

The Nikon D500’s autofocus system is sensitive down to -3 EV, while the D850’s autofocus system is sensitive down to -4 EV. This means that the D850 can focus in darker conditions than the D500.

Autofocus Speed

The Nikon D500’s autofocus system is very fast, and it can focus on a subject in as little as 0.05 seconds. The D850’s autofocus system is even faster, and it can focus on a subject in as little as 0.04 seconds.

Autofocus Accuracy

Both the Nikon D500 and D850 have excellent autofocus accuracy. However, the D850’s autofocus system is slightly more accurate, especially in low-light conditions.

Autofocus Tracking

The Nikon D500 and D850 both have excellent autofocus tracking capabilities. However, the D850’s autofocus tracking system is slightly better, especially when tracking moving subjects.

Which Camera Has the Better Autofocus System?

Overall, the Nikon D850 has a better autofocus system than the D500. The D850’s autofocus system is faster, more accurate, and has better tracking capabilities than the D500’s autofocus system. However, the D500’s autofocus system is still excellent, and it will be more than adequate for most photographers.

Wrap-Up

The Nikon D500 and D850 are both excellent DSLRs with excellent autofocus systems. However, the D850 has a slight edge in terms of autofocus performance. If you’re looking for the best possible autofocus performance, then the D850 is the better choice. However, if you’re on a budget, the D500 is still a great option with excellent autofocus performance.

Q: Which camera has more autofocus points?
A: The Nikon D500 and D850 both have 153 autofocus points.

Q: Which camera has better autofocus coverage?
A: The Nikon D500 and D850 both have excellent autofocus coverage, covering approximately 90% of the frame.

Q: Which camera has better autofocus sensitivity?
A: The Nikon D850 has better autofocus sensitivity, being sensitive down to -4 EV compared to the D500’s -3 EV.

Q: Which camera has faster autofocus speed?
A: The Nikon D850 has faster autofocus speed, focusing in as little as 0.04 seconds compared to the D500’s 0.05 seconds.

Q: Which camera has better autofocus accuracy?
A: The Nikon D850 has better autofocus accuracy, especially in low-light conditions.

Q: Which camera has better autofocus tracking capabilities?
A: The Nikon D850 has better autofocus tracking capabilities, especially when tracking moving subjects.

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Drew D.

Drew is a passionate photographer and the founder of the popular camera review blog, "DrewCaptures." With over a decade of experience behind the lens, Drew has developed a deep understanding of the latest camera gear and technologies.
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