jsimp3 Loc: Tennessee

I've been watching the post from everyone because I have the D850, D4s, and the D500 but have not yet make side-by-side comparisons like some of you have. The D850 is an outstanding camera, but I have noticed the noise in low light conditions. I put it to the test shooting late night using only street lights as the light source... tolerable, I would even say usable but doesn't appear to be as good in low light conditions as the D4s, or the D500.

I have also used the D850 for sports, birding, and macro. I don't feel I'm losing much with the 850 9fps (with battery grip) vs 11fps with the D4s or the 10fps with the D500. Shooting macro at various distances with the nearly 46mp I was able to crop out 75% of the image and was left with excellent IQ. Of course, the new bells and whistles on the D850 make for more versatile shooting. I love the touch and tilt screen which allowed me to get captures by touching the screen which allowed me to get some fantastic low-to-gound captures in the Smokies without laying on the ground. In each of the high and low areas, I was intentionally shooting in ways that I don't normally shoot in order to put the 850 to the test.

The overall image quality is great on each body, but with the new processor on the D850, I think it's sharper. The other factor that would affect your image quality on either body is the glass you're using. I guess it depends on what you're planning to shoot. I haven't been in the studio with the 850 yet... but I will after Christmas break. I shoot portraits for a K12 school I will be able to evaluate the bodies for portraits.

I think it's a matter of what you're shooting. I would lean towards the D850 simply because of the new technology. In my humble opinion, the purchase of the D4s is not going to advance you much past the D4.

farwest Loc: Utah

Thanks for all the input I really appreciate it. Looking forward to renting a D850 and trying it out. There all really outstanding camera's each has it pluses and minus's for sure.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

IMHO, the BIG difference between the D4 and the D4s was the addition of Group focus. As a sports action shooter, until the release of the latest 70-200 with the focus stop function on the lens barrel, Group Focus was BIG. Best of luck.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...maybe you're blocked for another reason, like, typically, your quote above...

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

Agree - Group AF is a game changer.

farwest Loc: Utah

So do you think changing from the D4 I own to a D4s is with worth the group focus function. It will cost about 1000.00 if I buy a used D4s and sell my D4.

Thanks

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...I *kind've* agree, but I think it really depends on *what* you're shooting. I've tried group on both my D5 and D500, but always end up spot and 9 point in the end as I see very little difference. Is it me? My keeper rate on my pageantry events is really very good, where I'm shooting kids marching around on a football field, sometimes leaping and tossing items in the air. Shrug...

Bill_de Loc: US

Do you mean the 3 buttons around the lens barrel, or is there something new? I have the buttons that allow me to lock focus on the barrel of the first 70-200 with VR.

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tomcat

I agree with Steve. I've tried Group Focus once and I did not like it because there were several times when it would choose the wrong focus point for me--ie, my intended subject was not the one the camera selected. So I went back to using 21/25 points for my soccer shoots and that works fine. I personally would not buy the D4s if I owned a D4. However, if you are strongly in favor of getting the D4s, then go ahead, and please send me your D4. I'll be glad to use it until you decide you may want it back..... Thanks

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

You are correct. The function I mentioned has been on several lenses. I was referring, specifically, to the 70-200 variety which is a primary lens for my work, sports action. In that work, the 'Group Focus' was a much appreciated feature. For me, it was what made me upgrade from the D3 to the D4s. I never owned the D4 as I was not interested in Video, which is something I have only very recently begun to experiment with. Best of luck.