Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z5

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D850 and Nikon Z5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D850 were released 2017 and Nikon Z5 was released 2020. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D850 2017
Nikon Z5 2020

Type of camera

Nikon D850 is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z5 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon FX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D850 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon Z5 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D850 has a 46 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z5 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D850 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504
Nikon Z5 24 MP
24160256 pixels
6016 x 4016

Nikon D850 has a 88 % larger resolution than Nikon Z5. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon Z5 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D850. Nikon Z5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D850 has 64 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D850 64-25600
Nikon Z5 100-51200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D850
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z5

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D850 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z5 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D850 9
Nikon Z5 4,5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Nikon D850 and Nikon Z5 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D850 weighs 1005 gr (equal to 2.22 lb) which is 49% heavier than Nikon Z5 and its 675 gr (or 1.49 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D850 1005 gr
2.22 lb
Nikon Z5 675 gr
1.49 lb

Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z5 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D850 and Nikon Z5, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Nikon D850
Nikon Z5
Name Nikon D850 Nikon Z5
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D850
Nikon Z5
Release Year 2017 2020
Release Date 2017-07-25 2020-07-21
MSRP 3299 USD 1399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D850
Nikon Z5
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D850
Nikon Z5
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Resolution 8256 x 5504 pixels 6016 x 4016 pixels
Megapixels 46 MP 24 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 5 EXPEED 6
Image
Nikon D850
Nikon Z5
ISO Range 64 - 25600 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 14 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor Shift (5 axis))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW + TIFF RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D850
Nikon Z5
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 151 273
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D850
Nikon Z5
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 2359000 1040000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 200%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.75× 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution 0 3689400
Photography features
Nikon D850
Nikon Z5
Frames per second 9 fps 4,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D850
Nikon Z5
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon D850
Nikon Z5
Memory Card SD/SDHC
XQD
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Nikon D850
Nikon Z5
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-In ( 802.11b/g + NFC + Bluetooth 4.1 LE)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D850
Nikon Z5
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15a lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL15c lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1840 shots 470 shots
Width 146 mm 134 mm
Height 124 mm 101 mm
Depth 79 mm 70 mm
Weight 1005 gram 675 gram