D5 vs D850 autofocus. Same system, not same results: Although the D850 has the same autofocus system as the D5, that is not to say that it performs as well as the D5. Here's a video...

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Although the D850 has the same autofocus system as the D5, that is not to say that it performs as well as the D5. Here's a video comparing the two:

https://www.diyphotography.net/nikon-d850-autofocus-system-d5-not-good/

CO

That's interesting. I knew the D5, D500, and D850 have the same AF system. They're the first Nikons to have a processor dedicated to just the AF. I wonder how the D500 would compare to the D5.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

The D5 has larger AF motors. They have to be faster and perhaps more precise.

olsonsview

Is not the auto focus motor of all new generation AFS lenses inside the lens, not the camera?

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I wonder if having the same processors means that they are exactly the same in each camera.

Maybe Steve Perry can clarify.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

olsonsview wrote:

Is not the auto focus motor of all new generation AFS lenses inside the lens, not the camera?

The higher grade cameras have auto focus motors in them as well, so I think camerapapi's explanaton may be the best one so far. Some of the lower level Nikon cameras do not have auto focus motors in them which means that you must make sure to purchase a lens that does. For instance, the 50mm f1.8D would not work on one of those cameras while the f1.8G would. However, the f1.8G comes with a higher price tag.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

SteveR wrote:

Although the D850 has the same autofocus system as the D5, that is not to say that it performs as well as the D5. Here's a video comparing the two:

https://www.diyphotography.net/nikon-d850-autofocus-system-d5-not-good/

That's because it does not have the same autofocus system, it has a very similar system! The price difference alone makes that very clear, you get what you pay for!

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

Same AF system, the D5 has a dedicated processor for AF that helps. However, with respect to Matt (the tester), I have both cameras and in my experience the AF is incredibly close - certainly closer than what we used to see between single digit pro bodies and the 8xx series. Put another way, for most photographers - myself included - if the D850 isn't getting the shot, it's usually not the camera's fault.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Thanks for clearing that up for us, Steve. I'm sure a lot of 850 owners are feeling much better. It does make me wonder about Matt's test, though, which seemed pretty good.

CO

Steve Perry wrote:

Same AF system, the D5 has a dedicated processor for AF that helps. However, with respect to Matt (the tester), I have both cameras and in my experience the AF is incredibly close - certainly closer than what we used to see between single digit pro bodies and the 8xx series. Put another way, for most photographers - myself included - if the D850 isn't getting the shot, it's usually not the camera's fault.

I was wondering which ones of the new Nikons have that dedicated AF processor. The D500 has the dedicated processor. I thought the D5, D500, and D850 all have it.

(Download)

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

CO wrote:

I was wondering which ones of the new Nikons have that dedicated AF processor. The D500 has the dedicated processor. I thought the D5, D500, and D850 all have it.

I was under the impression that while they all have dedicated processors, they are not completely identical. I'm curious to say the least!

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

SteveR wrote:

Thanks for clearing that up for us, Steve. I'm sure a lot of 850 owners are feeling much better. It does make me wonder about Matt's test, though, which seemed pretty good.

I ran similar tests to Matt's (bike not jogger) and had roughly the same hit rate between the D5 and D850. Sometimes the D5 was better, other times the D850 was better. The problem is, AF is is incredibly difficult to test. It uses "fuzzy logic" and it doesn't take much of a difference to swing it one way or the other. So, no matter how controlled the tests are (and Matt's really aren't), it's incredibly difficult to have a good AF system test.

All I know is that in the field for what I shoot and in the tests I performed, the performance was incredibly close - close enough not to care :)

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

CO wrote:

I was wondering which ones of the new Nikons have that dedicated AF processor. The D500 has the dedicated processor. I thought the D5, D500, and D850 all have it.

My Bad - Sorry, I was exhausted after driving all day yesterday and shouldn't be answering posts :)

In double-checking, yes, they do have dedicated AF processors. Sorry...

That said, keep in mind that my own tests show incredibly similar AF performance between the two cameras. Also, I think in some cases the high pixel density of the D850 is showing slight misses that would be invisible on the lower pixel density D5.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Having a D5, D850 and a D500, I can personally attest that the focusing systems all work about the same and they all use exactly the same system. The built-in focusing motor plays NO ROLE in lenses from AF-S onward. The internal focus motor is intended to work with and provide compatibility to "D" and pre "D" AF lenses only. ALL Nikon's newer AF lenses use some type of internal (to the lens) motor. Best of luck.