Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

Since I don't own either of those two Nikon cameras, I can't really answer your question. Anyone else that doesn't own both and use both of them either, can't give you the true answer you want either, since how would they know which is better? It would only be opinion and speculation.

Here is a link to a website that I subscribe to and regularly follow, and always look to for camera, lens, and gear reviews, as IMHO they are one of the best photography websites around. Check out their D850 vs. Z7 review and comparison of both these cameras. https://photographylife.com/nikon-z-7-vs-nikon-d850

Good luck in making your decision and choice.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

I recently traded my D800 for a Z6. While I like the reduced weight and extra features of the Z6 there are a few things making me wish I hung on to the D800 or instead went for Z7 or D850. I might be going there soon.

A key thing is that Nikon pressures you to not try to clean the Z sensors. As some feared they do seem to gather stuff quicker due to exposed sensor when changing lenses. That is what would make me prefer the D850.

A second annoyance is that when you put a DX lens on a Z it locks you in to the DX image area. That sucks because some of my DX lenses work great with other image areas up to FX. It is a pure customer downgrade by Nikon.

Also when using AF-C there is no indication of when focus is achieved.

And the focusing is problematic.

And I lost a lot of MP: Z7 would resolve that.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Let's set the record straight. The D3 was Nikon's first Full Frame DSLR. The D3s was the first (as I recall) to include video. Nikon has NOT reported ANY plan to place emphasis on mirrorless over any other type AND they have never announced whether or not their Z6/Z7 have met or exceeded sales expectations. It's pretty clear that the D850 did since it was on backorder for over a year and appears to continue to be a good seller. I would also bet that Nikon will continue to develop mirrorless, particularly lenses, but they will also continue onto such things as a D6 and a D760, or similar models. Best of luck.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

The Z7 and the D850 have the same sensor and essentially the same supporting systems and electronics. Image controls also appear to be the same in both cameras. So they should capture the same images.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Z7 by far.
Newer technology than the old 850.

markjay

Its not the camera or the lens. Its the photographer.

tiphareth51 Loc: Somewhere near North Pole, Alaska

While I don't know anything about the Z6 or the D850; I do you know (from experience) the D810 paired with the Nikon 200 to 500 f 5.6 is fantastic for outdoor nature photography.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I said the D700 was the first full frame camera I ever saw, back in late 2008. I've never seen a D3 camera. And, I still say that mirrorless cameras are the cameras of the future. And Nikon and Canon will be participants in that future endeavor. The D760 is estimated to be announced after July 1st of this year. Yes the D3 was the first Nikon full frame, released in 2007.

Wyoshooter

I believe that Mirrorless cameras are the future. However I would go with the D850. It will be several years until Nikon rolls out all of the dedicated Z series lenses.

O2Ra

Both cameras will be great for landscape and most nature photography . If you want to move into the new a new light system go to the Z7. The lenses of the future will be phenomenal and it can use the lenses of the past. The Z7 from what I’ve gathered lacks fast autofocus. For landscape and most nature stuff you’ll be fine.
Now with the d850 you get practically the exact same sensor. The same basic resolution for high definition landscape pictures. It’s a beast of a camera that can take every Nikon lens ever made since 1959 ( made for single reflex lens cameras) not the range finder bodies.
Then tons of third party companies lenses. It is the most well rounded dslr ever made to date . I think Nikon isn’t abandoning the dslrs quite yet . Look , they just came out the 500mm pf .
But they will be developing the mirrorless with vigor going forward or die as a camera company. Mirrorless is the future period.
I purchased the d850 at the time they started taking preorders for the Z7. I almost pulled the trigger on it also. But I needed a camera now and one I could hit the ground running. It is like an old friend and feels very good in hand. Definitely heavier feeling than my d810 or 500.
I mainly shoot live music photography and videography. But took a trip out to Colorado for a wedding. So I shot some landscape pictures. When I got home I was amazed at the pictures. It was more than the resolution. The color , resolution the contrast everything looked phenomenal. I like the “look” is just right . Now this past month I’ve purchased 6 old Nikkor lenses from the 1960s and 70s. All old non ai lenses so they need ai converted and cpu chips . But for now but not advised I’ve been shooting with them. These are most of the single amber coated lenses. All I can say is wow. The combination of the d850 and the old classic Nikon lens colors are so nice. The amber coated lenses were meat for black n white film . They give a slight cast towards the blue spectrum. So whites look really white . I like the look. But take a low element count lens and a high resolution sensor and you have photos with so much inner tonal detail it is unreal. And these lenses are mostly lower contrast with softer transitions from in focus to out of focus. The bokeh is soft and beautiful. The light roll off is sublime.
The images have a more 3d effect without an over sharpened and high contrast edge transition. Very natural true to life look . You have a hard time getting this look with over corrected modern lenses. And your highlights want to blow when trying to get more detail in the shadow areas.
So this long story is to explain that if you value this look then go for the d850. You cannot mount these old lenses on the Z7 even with the adapter.
I do value this . The thing is before a month ago I hadn’t really paid attention to these attributes. Now I’m in love with old manual focus legendary legacy Nikkor glass.
This is not to say I don’t the new glass . I really like Nikons vision for the future of their lenses. They understand and are proud of their heritage and the history and attributes of this legacy glass . So if you do go for the Z7 you are buying into the future of some phenomenal glass .
You cannot go wrong any way you go.

markjay

You can go wrong if Nikon fails and goes out of business. Dont laugh. They are losing their shirts in the camera business and could drop it or sell it to focus on their other lines of business.

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

Cameras and lenses have nothing to do with it. The most important thing is what you have in your head.

markjay

I said the same thing 8 hours ago.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. Please, feel free NOT to buy anything Nikon, or Canon, or Sony, or Fuji, or GM, or Chrysler, etc.. NO ONE is forcing you!

Jaki

Thank you so much! Appreciate your time and advise! Jaki