Here is some additional coverage on the new D850 – what others are saying about the latest (and greatest) Nikon DSLR camera so far:
Nikon D850 pre-orders: B&H | Adorama | Amazon | WEX | Jessops
The use of a backside illuminated (BSI) sensor means that the light collecting elements of the sensor are closer to the surface of the chip. This should not only increase the efficiency of the sensor (improving low light performance) but should also be expected to make the pixels near the edges of the sensor better able to accept light approaching with high angles of incidence, improving peripheral image quality. (Dpreview)
This is the first time ever that a Nikon DSLR has a back-illuminated sensor, which allows more light to hit the photodiodes and results in better image quality compared to traditional sensor architecture. Another key sensor feature is that it does not have a low-pass filter, which is typically used to soften light to avoid moire, but that at such a high resolution is not a necessary addition. In its absence, detail can be better resolved. (PocketLint)
The D850 can shoot an impressive 1840 shots off a single battery charge, while the shutter is rated for 200,000 actuations. Other features include a choice of three raw file sizes; an in-camera focus stacking mode; auto AF fine-tune for matching your lenses to your camera; pinpoint autofocus in live view; and a new auto white balance mode that aims to give more pleasing results when shooting under natural light. (AmateurPhotographer)
As you would expect for a professional weather-sealed Digital SLR from Nikon, the D850 feels extremely well-built. The camera has a solid construction made of magnesium alloy, and weather-sealing means it should survive use outdoors in less than ideal conditions. The grip is large and has a rubber grip covering a large area of the camera from the front, to the back. On the back, there is ample grip for your thumb, making it possible to get a firm grip of the camera, even if you want to hold it with just one hand. There is rubber grip on the left of the camera, to help you keep a firm grip if using two hands to hold the camera. (Ephotozine)
The closest rival to the D850 might actually be Sony’s A99 II SLT, which can actually shoot a bit faster at 12fps and costs nearly the same. Speaking of, you’re going to pay a lot for Nikon’s new model, but the price seems fair for what you get. The D850 costs $3,300 for the body only, and the MB-D18 Multi Power Battery Pack adds another $400. It’ll arrive sometime in September, 2017. (Engadget)
Next up is the focus stacking ability. If that’s leaving you confused it’s okay. Think of it sort of like HDR photography, only instead of taking multiple photos to get the ideal exposure for every point of the image, focus stacking takes photos at a range of focal points to give you an image that is entirely in focus. This is a useful feature if you have to shoot a still life and don’t want to lose light by altering the aperture. (Gizmodo)
When shooting in time-lapse mode, the D850 will switch to an electronic shutter, sparring your mechanical shutter from the wear and tear of potentially thousands of actuations. (PDNonline)
The D850 is a monster of a camera in terms of specs, and it’s one that will cost accordingly — the retail price is $3,299 for just the body when it goes on sale in September. The pro-level D5 may still be the king of Nikon’s current DSLR offerings, but at first glance it’s the D850 that will likely be the Nikon full-frame camera that gets the most use by pros, semi-pros, and amateurs with deep pockets. For all intents and purposes, this is Nikon’s flagship camera going forward. The D850 looks like a mashup of the best things that Nikon is doing at both extremes of its DSLR lineup. It’s got most of the brains and brawn of pro-only cameras like the D5, but with much of the approachability and versatility you typically have to look for in the company’s entry-level and prosumer DSLRs. (The Verge)
Nikon D850 = Canon killer (Fstoppers)
Plus the D850, like its predecessor, still offers a base ISO of 64, which should give a high level of dynamic range (bordering on medium format) when working in bright or high contrast situations. On the other end of the spectrum, its new top native ISO is 25,600, expandable to 102,400. (Dpreview)
As far as the design goes, the Nikon D850 features a more comfortable, deeper handgrip and a lower profile across the top of the camera since the pop-up flash on the D810 has been eliminated with this model. The tilting, 3.2-inch touchscreen also changes the design of the D850 but, otherwise, it looks similar to its predecessor. (Shutterbug)
Pre-orders: B&H | Adorama | Amazon | BuyDig | WEX | Jessops
