Mastering the art of DSLR shooting
Guide

Nikon D780 Vs D850 Review: Which Camera Is Worth Your Money?

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 D780 and D850 are both well-built cameras, but the D850 has a slight edge in terms of build quality.
  • If you’re looking for a versatile camera that can handle a wide range of photography and video tasks, the Nikon D780 is a great option.
  • If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line camera with the best possible image quality, autofocus, and video features, the Nikon D850 is the better choice.

The Nikon D780 and D850 are two of the most popular DSLRs on the market today. Both cameras offer excellent image quality, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. In this review, we’ll compare the two cameras side-by-side to help you decide which one is right for you.

Sensor and Image Quality

The D780 and D850 both have full-frame sensors, but the D850 has a higher resolution sensor with 45.7 megapixels compared to the D780’s 24.5 megapixels. This means that the D850 can capture more detail in your images, but it also means that the files will be larger.

In terms of image quality, both cameras perform very well. They produce images with excellent color accuracy, dynamic range, and low noise levels. However, the D850 has a slight edge in terms of sharpness and detail.

Autofocus

The D780 and D850 both have excellent autofocus systems, but the D850’s system is slightly more advanced. The D850 has 153 autofocus points compared to the D780’s 51 points. This means that the D850 can focus more precisely on your subjects, even in low-light conditions.

Both cameras also offer eye-tracking autofocus, which is great for portraits and other situations where you need to keep your subject’s eyes in focus. However, the D850’s eye-tracking autofocus system is more sophisticated and can track your subject’s eyes even when they’re moving.

Burst Shooting

The D780 and D850 both offer fast burst shooting speeds, but the D850 has a slight edge. The D780 can shoot up to 7 frames per second (fps) with the mechanical shutter and 12 fps with the electronic shutter. The D850 can shoot up to 9 fps with the mechanical shutter and 30 fps with the electronic shutter.

This makes the D850 a better choice for sports and other fast-action photography. However, it’s important to note that the D780’s burst shooting speed is still very good for most types of photography.

Video

Both the D780 and D850 can shoot 4K video, but the D850 offers more advanced video features. The D850 can shoot 4K video at 60 fps, while the D780 is limited to 30 fps. The D850 also offers 10-bit video recording, which gives you more flexibility when color grading your footage.

Both cameras also have excellent autofocus systems for video, but the D850’s system is slightly more advanced. The D850 can track your subject’s eyes even when they’re moving, which is great for video interviews and other situations where you need to keep your subject in focus.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

The D780 and D850 are both well-built cameras, but the D850 has a slight edge in terms of build quality. The D850 is made of magnesium alloy, while the D780 is made of a combination of magnesium alloy and plastic. This makes the D850 more durable and weather-resistant than the D780.

Both cameras are weather-sealed, but the D850 has a more comprehensive weather-sealing system. This means that the D850 is better protected from dust and moisture than the D780.

Price

The D780 is priced at $2,299, while the D850 is priced at $3,299. This makes the D780 a more affordable option, but it also means that you’ll get less features and performance.

Which Camera is Right for You?

The Nikon D780 and D850 are both excellent cameras, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. The D780 is a more affordable option with good image quality, autofocus, and burst shooting speed. The D850 is a more expensive option with better image quality, autofocus, burst shooting speed, video features, and build quality.

If you’re looking for a versatile camera that can handle a wide range of photography and video tasks, the Nikon D780 is a great option. If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line camera with the best possible image quality, autofocus, and video features, the Nikon D850 is the better choice.

Alternatives to Consider

If you’re not sure whether the Nikon D780 or D850 is right for you, there are a few other cameras that you might want to consider.

  • The Nikon Z6 is a full-frame mirrorless camera that offers similar image quality and autofocus performance to the D780, but it’s smaller and lighter.
  • The Nikon Z7 is a full-frame mirrorless camera that offers even better image quality than the D780, but it’s more expensive.
  • The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a full-frame DSLR that offers similar image quality and autofocus performance to the D850, but it’s also more expensive.
  • The Sony A7 III is a full-frame mirrorless camera that offers excellent image quality, autofocus, and video features, and it’s priced similarly to the D780.

What People Want to Know

Q: What is the difference between the Nikon D780 and D850?

A: The Nikon D780 and D850 are both full-frame DSLRs, but the D850 has a higher resolution sensor, a more advanced autofocus system, and better video features. The D850 is also more expensive than the D780.

Q: Which camera is better for photography?

A: Both the Nikon D780 and D850 are excellent for photography, but the D850 has a slight edge in terms of image quality, autofocus, and burst shooting speed.

Q: Which camera is better for video?

A: The Nikon D850 is better for video than the D780. It can shoot 4K video at 60 fps, offers 10-bit video recording, and has a more advanced autofocus system for video.

Q: Which camera is better for sports photography?

A: The Nikon D850 is better for sports photography than the D780. It has a faster burst shooting speed and a more advanced autofocus system.

Q: Which camera is better for wildlife photography?

A: The Nikon D850 is better for wildlife photography than the D780. It has a higher resolution sensor, a more advanced autofocus system, and a faster burst shooting speed.

Was this page helpful?

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.
Back to top button