BebuLamar

I am sorry why ask? You will have about the same number of responses recommend one as the other so can you make a decision with that? Besides you are the one who pay for the camera and who will use the camera why ask others? Also you already have the Z6 and the D810 so you know the differences between the D850 and Z7II well.

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

Not wanting to be the first kid on the block to have the absolute latest/greatest from marketing...I reviewed extensively my 850 against the "Z" series....I specifically need to use a MIOPS sensor for a lot of my images. Their connection cable runs from the MIOPS to the front of the 850 and connects to the 10 pin remote terminal, or I have to use the remote cable as my shots are all tripod based.
I looked at all of the Z series and even queried Nikon Tech Support....The "Z" series are not outfitted with the 10 pin remote terminal....no word if it will be offered in later models as an "option" for "X" $$$$$

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The Z6 has sensor-shift image stabilization, so that's not a change.

Riverrune

Thats why I'm asking.

Gorzek

I have been a Nikon owner and user for sixty years. I started with the Nikon S-2 rangefinder with several lenses. Today I use a D850 (hard to beat), D810, and a D800 converted to infrared. I am not sure of my next camera body. I may purchase a D6 or wait for the rumored “Z9” that will likely capture 20 frames per second with file size of 60-meg or more.

Don Gorzek of Menomonee Falls, WI.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

If you like your Z6 then go with the Z7II. IQ will be virtually identical and the Z7II’s features with the EVF bring many advantages besides IBIS. The D850 you’ll get better battery life and a slight edge in focus speed in daylight. But in my experience the battery life in my Z7 is rated pretty conservatively. I usually get at least double the rating. And the Z7II focuses better in low light. The D850 is as good as you’ll get with a DSLR, but the Z7II gets the edge.

photoman43

I have been a Nikon shooter since the 1960s. Right now my two main bodies are the D500 and D850. I also have a D 810. My Nikon lenses range from 20mm to 500mm. I have one Sigma Art lens, a 35mm f1.4.

I shoot mostly Nature, wildlife, birds and landscapes and macro.

The D500 and D850 are the best wo cameras I have ever used and are the cameras I use most of the time. I have looked at all of the Nikon Z bodies but none of them can match the features I need and use on my D850 and D500.

I got the D850 about a year ago. I could have skipped it as my D810 met 99% of my needs in a body used mostly for macro, landscapes and wildlife (mostly stationary). I got the D 850 to make sure I had the latest and best AF, etc.

If you do not need the latest features, buy nothing now. Wait for the next Z model to come out and buy it then. If you have to buy something, you cannot go wrong with the D 850.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I have a MIOPS controller that works great with my Z7, it just uses a different cable. I use the same MIOPS on three different systems, My Nikon D500, Z7 and Panasonic G9. All I have to do is swap the cable.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

They are both the same megapixels same sensor.

oakvillebob

photoman43
I have an 810 but have been drooling over an 850 I shoot birds mostly using a 200-500 the reason I want the 850 is that little bit extra cropping it would afford me 36mp is great but 45 would be excellent am I overthinking the benefit of those few extra megapixels the 810 is wonderful and I like the flash for use taking pictures of my grandchildren if the pandemic ever ends since you have both what is your opinion

pocotoo

I like your answer. Some of the answers on this forum are intimidating and downright rude. There are those of us with little knowledge or experience in photography. I learn a lot just by reading all of the daily comments but am leery of asking a question that could get me a few "cutting" responses.

Please do not tell me to put my big boy pants on and take it like a man. There is no excuse for being rude on a forum that is set up to assist us in our hobby.

JUST SAYIN'

photoman43

I use my D500 for birds in flight, birds and most wildlife subjects for two reasons--ability to shoot at up to or at 10 frames per second; and the "extra focal length" from the crop sensor. The D 850 is limited to 7 fps (9 fps if you buy that special battery). For birds in flight, 10 fps is a huge difference over 7 fps. If all you need is 5-7 fps then the D 850 might meet your needs.

The built in flash in the D 810 does have its uses for some "people images" with a lens that does not block the flash. But when I need flash, I usually add a Nikon flash onto the hot shoe. I do this for my D810 and D 850 and D500.

The AF on the D 500 and D 850 is the same and is better than the AF on the D 810. Whether you need the "better AF" is up to you to decide. If you focus properly you may not need it.

The most important thing to do is to improve your shooting techniques to get the best from your camera/lens. Extra MPs are not a substitute for proper shooting techniques.

neillaubenthal

They can't actually be the same sensor since the Zs have the AF points on the sensor instead of off in the AF well under the mirror. However…the pixel dimensions are the same…so it is very likely (although nobody but Nikon knows for sure) that the 7 sensor is based on the 850 one with the addition of the AF points. That likely means that since the 7 sensor is newer it's slightly better since hardware…and software…almost always gets better with subsequent generations.

Myself…I'm in the middle of the upgrading process as well and did look briefly at the 850…but DLSRs are getting toward the end of the line, my guess is that by 2025 or so you'll only be able to buy mirrorless cameras. Given that…and the noted improvement of the Z glass over the F glass…I'm getting the 7II. It does have a little worse high iso noise than the 6II does…but as the sensor is very likely based on the 850 sensor and I've never seen any complaints about the noise levels of the 850 it's probably not a big deal. For me…the higher MP which means more pixels on target means that as I move from crop sensor bodies to full frame ones…also means that I'm not losing any effective reach on the long tele lenses over the crop sensor one.

pv3977 Loc: San Diego

There is no real improvements if you shoot landscape with D850 when you already owned D810. I would invest the $3000+ in savings for lenses instead. That’s my personal opinion

neillaubenthal

Absolutely agree…that's why I'm spending a lot of time over on Steve Perry's forums at backcountrygallery.com…there is a lack of rudeness, condescending, and "I'm an elite" attitude there that is refreshing as compared to here too often. There are way too many Nikon vs Canon vs Sony, FF vs DX, and similar other flame wars that accomplish nothing and just irritate the natives.