tdekany Loc: Oregon

Nikon D850 Features
$3,269.95 (pre-order links coming soon)
45.7-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor
ISO 64-25,600, expandable to 32-108,400
No anti-aliasing filter (first introduced in this line with the D800E and continued with the consolidation of the lineup in the D810)
4K @ 24/25/30 fps in full-frame coverage, 1080p up to 120 fps "4x and 5x slow motion" (locked into DX coverage), up to three hours recording time with grip, 70 min. without
8K in-camera time-lapse
180,000-pixel RGB meter
7 fps body-only, 9 fps w/ MB-D18 battery grip (for up to 51 consecutive, full resolution, uncompressed 14-bit, raw images)
153-point AF system from D5 (130% larger AF point coverage compared to D810)
Smaller, half-sized focus point for more precise autofocus selection/differentiation
-3 EV focusing from every point, -4 EV for center cross-point
Small (11.4 MP), Medium (25.6 MP), and Large (45.4 MP) raw file capture
New "Natural Light" auto-white balance mode
Negative/Positive film scanning with in-camera conversion with optional ES-2 Film Digitizing Adapter and compatible Micro-NIKKOR lens for high-resolution scanning of negatives with the D850
In-camera focus stacked image-capture (third-party software still required for putting files together), up to 300 images with up to 10 focusing steps
SD (UHS-II-supported) and XQD card slots
Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, new and improved version of Snapbridge, no GPS
Tiltable 3.2" LCD touchscreen supporting touch-based AF, shutter, and menu
Back-illuminated buttons, joystick selector
No built-in flash
Improved Liveview split-screen display
Improved silent shooting mode, uses mirror-up liveview to shoot up to 6 fps silently with electronic shutter, 30 fps at 8-megapixels
Improved battery life up to 1,840 shots on single battery, 5,140 with grip
Lighter than D810 with combined magnesium alloy and carbon fiber body
The high resolution of the D850 sensor isn't surprising, but it's the exact mix of its entire specification set that's impressive. Shooting as fast as 9 fps with a grip at full resoultion enables the D850 to serve as a very capable sports and action-event camera. Even the casual wedding photographer can appreciate the ability to have a 9-fps burst at their fingertips.

Meanwhile, pending a review of the D850's true video quality, it seems Nikon is finally getting serious about video. The D850 presents Nikon with an opportunity to prove itself with some catch-up work. But 4K, full-frame video and 120 fps slow-motion video in full HD isn't anything to scoff at. Let's hope it's as sharp as some of the best 4K DSLR shooters out there (but I'll settle for getting as sharp as my iPhone for starters).

The 64-25,600 ISO range isn't a huge surprise either, but sitting alongside the D5's state-of-the-art 153-point autofocus system that will allow for up accurate focus down to -4 EV with the center point will make this a deadly combination for low-light shooting. The low ISO 64 and expanded ISO 32 as well as the in-camera focus-stacking caters to the landscape and macro-photography crowds as well. While you'll still need third-party software to put the files together, the D850 will automatically adjust through up to ten levels of focus and take up to 300 images in sequence for hands-free focus stacking, best in macro shooting environments. This is a first for a Nikon DSLR. The smaller, half-sized focus point selection should also help make autofocus selection much more precise in these situations.

While the big buzz features including the backlit buttons and 3.2" articulating touchscreen are impressive, it's other refinements like the enlarged, 0.75x-magnified viewfinder and 130% greater autofocus point coverage compared to the D810 (thanks to that D5 autofocus system) that really make me wonder, "What's Nikon leaving out on this one?" I honestly can't find the answer. They have everything covered, including a lighter-weight body and improved battery life over the D810. There's even a true silent shooting mode that uses live view and an electronic shutter to shoot up to 6 fps (or 30 fps at 8-megapixels, which makes sense with the 4K video-recording capability).

It's true that the continued split between SD and XQD slots bothers some users who are sick of buying two types of cards and who want a bolder bet from Nikon in either direction. But the flexibility of shooting on the more common SD card and the more robust and faster XQD card is at least one thing to be grateful for, even if investing in multiple card types is still a reality.

A nice surprise is the addition of the optional ES-2 Film Digitizing Adapter, which allows for an easy workflow setup for the D850 to be used as a film scanner with in-camera conversions for accurate film capture with a compatible Micro-NIKKOR lens.

Improved Snapbridge with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth help round out the luxury feature set for this $3,300 camera that's sure to lure D750, D810, and D5 users alike. For me, personally, I don't think Nikon has ever made a professional camera that's easier for me to buy than the D850. Look out for our review following the D850's release in September. We'll have pre-order links soon.

Read the full press release and let us know what you think in the comments.

Update: The Camera Store is currently doing a hands-on live on YouTube:

RF-4 Phantom Flyer Loc: Gilbert, Arizona USA

Sounds AWESOME

beeyul69

😎

Bill_de Loc: US

Was this copy and pasted from FStoppers? They seem to be the only ones who transposed a couple of numbers in the price. But whoever did it should be acknowledged.

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tdekany Loc: Oregon

Didn't want to post it in my initial post and I was busy last night so here it is:

http://fstoppers.com/gear/nikon-announces-d850-yes-its-amazing-camera-191972

mleuck

GAS, GAS, GAS!!!

Far more than 99% of us will ever need it use. Have you seen the photos on this site? $3300 to take photos of birds, bugs and flowers???

Really!?

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

U can now pre-order on B&H. Go get um while their hot.

cthahn

Go buy it. How many will use cheap kit lenses on it and wonder what the problem is?

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I saw high resolution samples today and to my eyes the images were not any better than those made with a D800. I am sure that images made with a good lens at 20x30 will be awesome in quality.
I am not the kind of person that is after the best and the latest. Lots of bells and whistles or lots of pixels are not very attrractive to me and mean nothing to my photography. I am sure that there are many professionals who will love the camera and what it is capable of.
My highest resolution camera is the Nikon D610 with 24 Mp. I seldom enlarge beyond 13x19 and at that size even my 12 megapixels Olympus EPL-1 is capable of awesome enlargements using good optics.
It is not a question of what I want but what I need.

RickL Loc: Vail, Az

I'll stick with my D810

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

I think your "far more than 99% will ever need to use" statement is way off for discerning photographers. The D850 is not an entry-level camera, nor is it a camera for the occasional photographer or someone on a tight budget.
This is just the best spec'd and feature rich camera at anywhere near this price point.

If you want great shots of birds, bugs and flowers, yes a 46mp sensor is well worth it. Birders, especially, will love this camera.

If you take sports and action seriously, 46mp, 153 focus points and up to 9 fps at this price is well worth it.

If you take photos in a quiet environment as well than the addition of silent shooting is worth it.

If you want your lenses to be spot on in addition to all the other features, then the auto calibration makes this camera worth it.

In fact if you look at all the features, including 4K video and the high definition 3.2" articulating touch screen, focus stacking for macro shooters, and a dozen other great features I haven't mentioned, this camera looks like it will be an absolute bargain.

It's not for everyone, and clearly not for you, but your implication that hardly any one needs it to capture great images of bugs, birds and flower is somewhat short sited. The cameras used by those here who capture the best wildlife, macro and landscape images and want the benefits of a full frame sensor to do so, are already spending a similar amount of money. Even the best APS-C bodies are not inexpensive by any standard. While the lenses and skill of the photographer is critical to the results, most inexpensive cameras fall down in one or more critical categories which makes capturing specific images more difficult or even impossible, especially fast moving subjects and very low light subjects.

For those here who proudly post absolutely mediocre sports, wildlife, portrait and macro images, I would agree that this camera is overkill, but then so would any camera costing over $1000 or even less. However, many here have higher standards and strive for better results. It is for them that this camera is intended.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

How about cropping? I crop a lot. With 46mp you can crop significantly and still have very high resolution images. Resolution is not just about how large an image you will print. And most of the exciting features of this camera have little to do with sensor size. The focus stacking feature for macro photographers, as an example, will allow them to produce stunning results.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Well stated. I'm still one of the mediocre shooters, but I'm on the fence about whether the D850 will give me more to "grow into" without more incremental upgrades.

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Me sure I like it GAS but I'm going to sit back and wait for user reviews and thoughts with images. People with buyers remorse and picking up on the used market due to how much MP it contains people expecting this to be the photographer saving grace when not using prime pro glass on it
My thoughts