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Hands on: Nikon D850

24 Aug

Hands on: Nikon D850

Before today, Nikon DSLR shooters seeking a new pro-level body had to choose between the resolution-oriented D810 or speed-oriented Nikon D5. But no longer – the D850 is built for speed and resolution.

It uses a 45.7MP BSI full-frame sensor – a sizable resolution jump over the D810’s 36.3MP chip. Its maximum burst rate with autofocus is 7 fps – also a nice jump over the D810’s 5 fps. And, if you need more speed, combining the new MB-D18 grip with an EN-EL18b battery allows the D850 to shoot at 9 fps for up to 51 Raw files (using an XQD card).

That’s not as fast as the 12 fps burst offered on the Nikon D5, but it’s enough speed for most sports or action photography, with more than twice the pixel count offered by the D5 (and at almost half the price).

BSI Sensor + ISO 64

The D850 (shown here with the optional MB-D18 grip attached) is Nikon’s first full-frame camera to utilize a backside-illuminated sensor. This design tends to result in greater efficiency because there’s no circuitry taking up space in front of the pixels. This should boost performance in low light situations where you might employ high ISOs.

On top of that, BSI has the effect of bringing the light-sensitive elements of the chip closer to the surface, which should improve the ability of pixels near the edge of the sensor to accept light rays approaching at oblique angles, when shooting with wide-angle lenses.

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.

AF System

Every aspect of the D850’s autofocus system is inherited from the D5, including the 153-point autofocus array, Multi-CAM 20K AF sensor and a dedicated AF processor. This is great news because we love how the AF performs on the D5. In short, it just works.

Plus, the D850 uses input from a 180,000-pixel metering sensor (the same found in the D5/D500) which should result in outstanding subject recognition (including face detection) when using Nikon’s 3D Tracking or Auto area modes. It even kept up during burst shooting in our limited time with the camera. By comparison, the D810 uses a 91k-pixel metering sensor for tracking/recognition, and ‘3D’ subject tracking slows down during bursts.

The D850’s 153-point system also covers 30% more of the frame than the D810’s 51-point system. And of those 153-points on the D850, 99 are cross-type, compared to 15 on the D810. All points focus down to -3 EV, with the center one working down to -4 EV. This should be a huge improvement from the -1 EV limit we found with the D810’s AF system.

The D850 also gains Nikon’s Auto AF Fine Tune feature. This feature is a simple and painless way to calibrate your lenses. Unfortunately, users can only still save a single adjustment based on the central AF point for one focal length, so it’s less useful for zoom shooters. And you’re out of luck if off-center points require a different value from more central ones.

Viewfinder

The viewfinder on the D850 is big and beautiful; in fact, it’s the largest viewfinder of any full-frame Nikon DSLR. Thanks to new optics, including an aspherical element and a condenser lens, the magnification is a whopping 0.75x with an eyepoint of 17mm. Elements of the finder also use new coatings to cut down on reflections and flare. As you’d expect in a camera of this caliber, viewfinder coverage is 100%.

This larger finder comes at the cost of the pop-up flash. But the D850 still supports wireless flash via the SB-5000 and WR-A10/WR-R10 transceiver.

Full-width 4K video

The D850 becomes Nikon’s first full-frame DSLR to offer 4K video using the full width of its sensor (Sony makes several mirrorless models that can do this). This is a big selling point over the 1.5x crop you face shooting 4K on the D5. UHD video can be captured at 30, 25 and 24p. We believe the camera captures video by binning pixels (combining information from clusters of pixels to generate the output), which is better than line skipping, but not as good as oversampling (as the Sony a9 does).

Sadly, AF during video capture is still contrast-detect only, which is prone to hunting, unlike Canon’s excellent Dual Pixel AF system. Nikon lenses tend to also be noisy when focusing. And there is no peaking or stabilization offered when capturing 4K. Videographers do have access to Auto ISO, Power Aperture and a new Attenuator option for better audio control.

When shooting HD video (at up to 1080/60p), the D850 offers both focus peaking as well as digital stabilization. There is also a 1080/120p mode, but it only saves video files in 4 or 5x slow motion (you can’t get the full speed footage).

Flip up/down touchscreen

The D850 becomes the first Nikon of its class to receive a flip up/down rear LCD and uses the latest high-resolution panel with 2.36 million dots (1024 x 768 pixels). This lovely screen makes image review look especially good. Just don’t get caught ‘chimping’ too much.

Did we mention it’s also a touchscreen? And unlike some of Nikon’s past DSLR touch-implementations, the touch function is active in menus, live view, playback and while shooting. However, it can’t be used for touchpad AF when one’s eye is to the finder, like on the Nikon D5600. Though unlike the D5600 (and D810), the D850 has a dedicated AF joystick.

Range of interval/multi-shot options

The D850 offers an in-camera 4K time-lapse mode which downscales full-res images and outputs it as a video. You can also shoot full-res 8K time-lapses using the interval timer. And users can use auto exposure modes while using the interval timer (‘A’ or ‘P’ exposure modes) with an option for in-camera exposure smoothing. Plus, a new silent interval timer option uses an electronic shutter instead of the mechanical one, to reduce shutter noise, vibration and wear.

The D850 also gains a new focus shift mode, which captures multiple images (up to 300) shot at varying focus distances (in increments chosen by the user) and saves them in a folder for assembly in post. Both the interval timer and focus shift mode offer a new option that not only places each ‘set’ of images into a unique folder, but also resets numbering for each set.

Redesigned body

The body of the D850 has received some much-appreciated refining. The grip is deeper, longer and all-around less chunky than that of the D810. This makes it much more comfortable to hold. The camera also gets the D5’s AF joystick, and better weather-sealing as a result of the loss of a pop-up flash.

Perhaps most importantly though: the mirror and shutter mechanisms have been redesigned. We experienced severe mirror and/or shutter-induced vibrations at certain shutter speeds with long lenses on the D810; however, in our brief time with the D850 and the same problematic lenses, we experienced no issues at all.

Other improvements come in the form of illuminated buttons on the back and the inclusion of an XQD and UHS-II compliant SD slot. The D850 uses the EN-EL15a battery and can shoot 1840 shots per charge, per CIPA rating.

But…

We’re pretty impressed by the D850’s specs, but we do have some complaints. Chief among them is Snapbridge. Sure, the D850 has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, but SnapBridge – the app used to connect, control and view/transfer – has not been improved upon since we last tested it. And overall we’ve found it to be both simplistic in terms of capability and inconsistent in terms of connectivity.

We’re also disappointed at the lack of an improved electronic first curtain implementation (it remains the same, only available in Mup mode with two shutter button presses), perhaps there isn’t much to worry about…

Final thoughts

But by and large the D850 (on the right) knocks our socks off – its spec list matches up nicely with our wish list, and the camera itself seems to handle exceptionally well. In short, it seems like the perfect marriage of speed and resolution. Finally, it seems that DSLR shooters can have it all.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon D850 offers 45.7MP BSI FX-format sensor, 7 fps bursts, 4K video

24 Aug

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Nikon appears to have pulled out all the stops for its D850, announced today. It combines high resolution and speed: a full-frame 45.7MP BSI CMOS sensor with no low pass filter capable of full resolution 7 fps bursts with AF/AE (boosted to 9 fps when paired with the optional MB-D18 battery grip and EN-EL18a/b battery). The D850 also offers the D5’s excellent 153-point AF system, as well as a native ISO range of 64-25,600 (expandable to 32 or up to 102,400).

The D850 also improves on the D810’s video offerings with the inclusion of full-frame 4K 24/25/30p capture. Focus peaking (1080p-only) and zebra stripes are provided for videographers, as well as uncompressed 4:2:2 8-bit 4K HDMI output and microphone/headphone inputs.

Like the D500, the D850 offers a tilting 3.2″ 2.36M-dot touchscreen. The camera includes dual card slots: one XQD, one SD. SnapBridge provides built-in connectivity via Nikon’s mobile app, but for more flexible wireless support you’ll have to add a Wi-Fi adapter. The D850’s magnesium alloy body is weather sealed, and illuminated controls provide better visibility in dark situations.

The Nikon D850 is expected to go on sale in September; MSRP is set at $ 3,299.95. For a closer look at the D850’s many improvements and added features, head to our First Impressions Review.

Press release

FULL-FRAME, EXTREME SPEED & EPIC RESOLUTION: THE NEW NIKON D850 DSLR DEFINES PROFESSIONAL VERSATILITY

New Nikon DSLR Offers Incredible Combination of Performance, Image Quality and Thoughtful Features

MELVILLE, NY (Embargoed until Thursday, August 24, 2017 at 12:01 A.M. EDT) – Today, Nikon announced the new Nikon D850, a powerful full-frame DSLR camera that provides professional photographers and multimedia creators with an impressive combination of resolution and high-speed performance. The 45.7-megapixel D850 is Nikon’s first DSLR with an FX-format, back-side Illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor for image quality that is nothing short of majestic, allowing professionals to create stunning, high resolution still images and full-frame 4K UHD video. Despite its monumental resolution, the D850 is capable of an astoundingly fast capture rate of up to 7 frames-per-second (fps) or 9-fps with the optional battery grip and EN-EL18a/b battery, while offering a range of new user-friendly features requested by Nikon shooters around the world.

The Nikon D850 is a serious tool that expertly enables every kind of photographer. Whether capturing for client work or personal projects, the camera delivers intense clarity and accurate skin tones for portraits, with the added benefit of low-light ability for weddings and events. It is versatile enough to be used for landscapes and fine art where broad dynamic range is critical, for sports that require a high frame rate and decisive AF, or for video creators who want 4K UHD flexibility. Whether in the studio or on-location, from the catwalk or the scenic overlook, to a wedding ceremony or night sky, the Nikon D850 is the tool that can capture it all, with astounding resolution and speed.

“The Nikon D850 is much more than a camera, rather it’s a statement that Nikon is continuing to listen to customer needs, to innovate for the next 100 years, and bring to market a full-frame DSLR that exceeds the expectations of the professionals that rely on this caliber of camera to make a living,” said Kosuke Kawaura, Director of Marketing and Planning, Nikon Inc.

“I have had the pleasure of putting this camera through its paces, and there is nothing like it. The Nikon D850 introduces a whole new generation of photographers to medium format quality; the resolution is out of this world, and the tonality and range are at a level I never thought possible from a DSLR,” said Nikon Ambassador and award-winning wedding photographer Jerry Ghionis.

The Ultimate Combination of Resolution and Speed
The Ultimate Combination of Resolution and SpeedThe Nikon D850 is the new benchmark in DSLR image quality, with an unprecedented combination of resolution, dynamic range, ISO and processing power. The 45.7-megapixel CMOS sensor approaches medium format-level resolution and forgoes an optical low pass filter (OLPF) to harness the maximum sharpness of NIKKOR lenses, with fantastic fidelity, tonality and clarity. This is also Nikon’s first DSLR to incorporate a BSI CMOS sensor, which captures light more efficiently, resulting in a wider dynamic range and low-noise image capture. Beyond the immense resolution, the Nikon D850 offers photographers superior performance:

  • High-Speed Capture: The D850 is capable of shooting up to 7 fps at full resolution, with full AF/AE or 9 fps at full resolution with the addition of an optional battery grip (MB-D18) and EN-EL18a/b battery (Buffer approximately 51 frames of 14-bit lossless RAW capture / 170 frames of 12-bit lossless).
  • Wide ISO Range: The D850 offers a wide ISO range from 64-25,600 (Expandable down to ISO 32, up to 102,400).
  • Flagship Focus System: The D850 uses the Nikon D5’s 153-point, Multi-Cam 20K AF system, which features 99 cross type sensors, 15 of which are sensitive to f/8.
  • EXPEED 5: Behind every great sensor is a great image-processing engine. EXPEED 5 is Nikon’s most powerful engine yet, allowing for fast data readout and swift image processing, improved low light performance, high speed shooting, full-frame 4K UHD video capture and greater power efficiency for longer battery life.

Innovation Built for the Needs of Professional Creators
In addition to its phenomenal performance, the Nikon D850 hosts a range of innovative and thoughtful new features that enhance workflow, and will leave every photographer or content creator wondering how they ever lived without them:

  • Tilting LCD Touchscreen: The 3.2-in., high resolution (2359k-dot) LCD monitor offers Nikon’s most extensive touch functionality ever.
  • Silent Shooter: The D850 offers the ability to operate with an electronic shutter in Live View. When in this mode, users can shoot in complete silence, which is ideal for weddings, ceremonies and events where the shutter sound is discouraged. The electronic shutter operates at up to 6 fps (AF/AE locked) at full resolution, while an additional mode enables 8.6-megapixel capture in DX image area mode at up to 30 fps.
  • Radio Flash Control: Like the D5 and D500, the D850 also supports Radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting with the optional SB-5000 Speedlight and WR-A10 and WR-R10 accessories.
  • RAW Processing Power: Users can choose from 3 sizes of RAW files to enhance workflow, including Large (45.4-MP), Medium (25.6-MP) and Small (11.4-MP). Additionally, the D850 lets users batch process RAW files in camera, saving time in post-production.
  • Nikon’s Widest and Brightest Optical viewfinder: The 0.75x viewfinder magnification is the highest ever for a Nikon DSLR, and offers a wide and bright view of the frame to easily track and compose subjects.
  • Phenomenal Battery Performance: Shoot all day and well into the night with up to 1,840 shots at full resolution or approximately 70 minutes of video on a single charge. Users who opt for the additional control and handling benefits of the optional battery grip can expect up to 5140 shots (CIPA standard).
  • Dual Card Slots: The D850 features dual memory card slots — XQD for high-speed capture and transfer, as well as readily available SD media.
  • Illuminated Buttons: Buttons that light up at the turn of a dial increase visibility and allow easy shooting at night or in low-light scenarios.
  • Focus Stacking: Ideal for macro, product and landscape photographers, the Focus Shift Photography feature of the D850 is high resolution meets high magnification. This feature lets the user automatically shoot up to 300 shots at adjustable focus step intervals to infinity which can be easily assembled into a focus-stacked image using third party software.
  • Negative/Positive Scanning: With the optional ES-2 Film Digitizing Adapter and compatible Micro-NIKKOR lens, the camera enables super high-resolution digitizing of 35mm slides or negatives and converts them in-camera to positives
  • Durable Construction: Ready for any field assignment or production environment, the rugged and weather-sealed magnesium alloy body lets users work with confidence in a wide range of tough environments.
  • Square shooter: Photographers can choose from five formats, including FX-format, 1.2x, DX, 5:4, or 1:1 square with viewfinder shading for easy composition.
  • Built-in Wi-Fi1 & Bluetooth2 Connectivity: Users can seamlessly send images to their compatible smart devices through an always-on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection or through Wi-Fi. Nikon SnapBridge3 also gives the ability for remote capture and preview.

Multimedia Production Ready
Multimedia content creators and filmmakers alike will appreciate a wide range of considerate, industry-leading new features that can help to elevate any production:

  • Full-frame 4K UHD at 24/30 fps: The D850’s FX BSI CMOS sensor allows 4K UHD output at a full-frame width at 16:9, to increase lensing options and provide a true field of view.
  • Slow Motion: Creators can also capture Full HD 1080p at up to 120 fps (4x or 5x) for dramatic slow-motion video capture.
  • Focus Peaking: When shooting Full HD or in Live View for stills, focus peaking can be enabled which highlights in-focus subjects in the frame to ensure sharpness.
  • 8K / 4K Time-lapse: Users can create 4K UHD time-lapse videos easily in-camera, or can use the built in intervalometer to capture images for an ultra-high resolution 8K time lapse that can be assembled in post for those who want the ultimate in video quality.
  • Zebra stripes: The D850’s highlight display mode uses zebra patterns to quickly spot overblown highlights. What’s more, the zebra patterns come in two varieties, selectable according to the patterns and textures of the subjects.
  • HDMI output: Using HDMI, users can record uncompressed, broadcast quality 4:2:2 8-bit 4K UHD footage, directly to an external digital recorder while simultaneously recording to a card.
  • Audio Control: The D850 features an onboard stereo microphone, as well as inputs for headphones and microphone. The camera also features a new audio attenuator to regulate sound levels.

THE FX-Format advantage
The amazing performance and image quality of the Nikon D850 is best coupled with the wide variety of NIKKOR lenses, heralded for their unmatched image quality, color reproduction and optical characteristics. For maximum fidelity, Nikon’s Gold Ring Series of lenses provide the highest caliber of optical performance needed for such immense resolution applications.

Price and Availability
The Nikon D850 will have a suggested retail price (SRP) of $ 3,299.95*, and will be available in September 2017. The MB-D18 Multi Power Battery Pack will have an SRP of $ 399.95*, while the ES-2 film digitalizing adapter will have an SRP of $ 149.95*. For more information on the latest Nikon products, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

Nikon D850 specifications

Price
MSRP $ 3299
Body type
Body type Mid-size SLR
Body material Magnesium alloy
Sensor
Max resolution 8256 x 5504
Image ratio w:h 1:1, 5:4, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels 46 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 47 megapixels
Sensor size Full frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm)
Sensor type BSI-CMOS
Processor Expeed 5
Color space sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array Primary color filter
Image
ISO Auto, 64-25600 (expands to 32-102400)
Boosted ISO (minimum) 32
Boosted ISO (maximum) 102400
White balance presets 14
Custom white balance Yes (6 slots)
Image stabilization No
Uncompressed format RAW + TIFF
JPEG quality levels Fine, normal, basic
File format
  • JPEG (Exif v2.3)
  • TIFF (RGB)
  • Raw (Nikon NEF, 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed or uncompressed)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus
  • Contrast Detect (sensor)
  • Phase Detect
  • Multi-area
  • Center
  • Selective single-point
  • Tracking
  • Single
  • Continuous
  • Touch
  • Face Detection
  • Live View
Autofocus assist lamp No
Manual focus Yes
Number of focus points 151
Lens mount Nikon F
Focal length multiplier 1×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Tilting
Screen size 3.2″
Screen dots 2,359,000
Touch screen Yes
Screen type TFT LCD
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.75×
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed 30 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 sec
Exposure modes
  • Program
  • Aperture priority
  • Shutter priority
  • Manual
Built-in flash No
External flash Yes (via hot shoe or flash sync port)
Flash modes Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync
Flash X sync speed 1/250 sec
Drive modes
  • Single-frame
  • Self-timer
  • Quiet shutter
  • Quiet continuous
  • Mirror-up
  • Continuous low
  • Continuous high
Continuous drive 9.0 fps
Self-timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs)
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Highlight-weighted
  • Spot
Exposure compensation ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
AE Bracketing ±5 (2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
WB Bracketing Yes (2-9 exposures in 1, 2, or 3EV increments)
Videography features
Format MPEG-4
Modes
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1280 x 720 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
  • 1280 x 720 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Microphone Stereo
Speaker Mono
Storage
Storage types SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD
Connectivity
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
HDMI Yes (mini HDMI)
Microphone port Yes
Headphone port Yes
Wireless Built-In
Wireless notes 802.11b/g + NFC + Bluetooth 4.1 LE
Remote control Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealed Yes
Battery Battery Pack
Battery description EN-EL15a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 1840
Weight (inc. batteries) 1015 g (2.24 lb / 35.80 oz)
Dimensions 146 x 124 x 79 mm (5.75 x 4.88 x 3.11″)
Other features
Orientation sensor Yes
Timelapse recording Yes (4K or 8K movies)
GPS None

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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First look video: Nikon D850

24 Aug

The Nikon D850 looks to be an excellent upgrade over its predecessor, the D810. The resolution has jumped from 36.3MP to 45.7MP, the burst rate has jumped from 5 to 7 fps (9 fps with the right accessories), and the entire AF system has been yanked directly from the flagship D5. Not to mention the D850’s full sensor width 4K video, a first for a Nikon DSLR.

That’s just a little bit of what the D850 has up its sleeve. Watch the video to find out more.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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New photos appear to show Nikon D850: Illuminated controls, tilting LCD, no built-in flash

27 Jul
This image, obtained by nikonrumors.com purports to show Nikon’s forthcoming DSLR, the Nikon D850.
If genuine, the pictures indicate that the D850 will offer illuminated controls and a tilting LCD screen, but will lack a built-in flash.

Images have been obtained by nikonrumors.com that seem to show Nikon’s forthcoming D850 DSLR, the development of which was announced this week. If genuine, the pictures indicate that the D850 will offer illuminated controls and a tilting LCD screen, but no built-in flash. While some photographers won’t be sorry to see the flash deleted, we hope that if it does indeed lack this feature, the D850 includes some kind of option for built-in wireless flash triggering.

We’re still waiting for detailed specifications on the new camera, but in the meantime, we put together a wish-list of features we’d like to see. Perhaps we can check a couple off the list…

Click here for what we hope to see in the forthcoming Nikon D850

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon announces development of D850

25 Jul

Nikon has announced the development of the long-awaited replacement to its high resolution, full-frame D810: the D850.

The company didn’t release any actual details about the D850, though a teaser video promises an 8K time-lapse function. Nikon says that it will be a ‘formidable tool for creators who will not compromise on exceptional image quality and versatility’ and that it will incorporate ‘new technologies, features and performance enhancements that are a direct result of feedback from users.’

Nikon promises more information about the D850 at a later date. When that time comes, be sure to visit DPReview for all the details!

Ten things we’re hoping to
see in the new D850

Press Release:

DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL SLR CAMERA NIKON D850

MELVILLE, NY (July 25, 2017 at 12:01 A.M. EDT) –– Nikon Inc. is pleased to announce the development of the next generation full-frame, high-resolution, high-speed digital SLR cameras with the upcoming release of the highly anticipated Nikon D850. This announcement coincides with Nikon’s 100th anniversary of its establishment, which is celebrated today.

The D850 will be a formidable tool for creators who will not compromise on exceptional image quality and versatility, including both aspiring and professional photographers as well as hobbyists who capture landscapes, weddings, sports, fashion, commercial imagery and multimedia content creators.

The D850 is the successor to the D810, which has been highly praised by its users for offering extremely sharp and clear rendering, with rich tone characteristics. This powerful new FX-format digital SLR camera is engineered with a range of new technologies, features and performance enhancements that are a direct result of feedback from users, who demand the very best from their camera equipment. The D850 will exceed the expectations of the vast range of photographers that seek the high resolution and high-speed capabilities that only a Nikon of this caliber complemented by NIKKOR lenses can offer.

To learn more about the Nikon D850, please visit nikonusa.com/d850. Information regarding the release of this product will be announced at a later date.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Ten things we’re hoping for from the Nikon D850

25 Jul

Ten things we’re hoping for from the Nikon D850

Nikon has announced the development of a the D850 – the long-awaited successor to the D810. As we’ve come to expect from such announcements in the past, Nikon is being vague on exact details, but promises that the D850 will be ‘a formidable tool for creators who will not compromise on exceptional image quality and versatility.’

We don’t have detailed specs yet, so until more details emerge, we’ve made a wish list. Click through for ten features that we’re hoping to see either added or improved in the forthcoming D850. Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments.

More pixels (but not too many more)

A well-processed Raw file from the D810’s 36MP sensor contains a lot of detail, but we’d expect the D850 to offer at least a modest increase in pixel count.

The D810’s resolution of 36MP is more than enough for most applications, but we’d be surprised if the D850 doesn’t come with a higher megapixel sensor. In general, more pixels means better images, but we hope that the increase in resolution is reasonably modest. After all, 36MP is fine, and more pixels = bigger file sizes, and more work for the camera’s processor.

The same or better low ISO DR

This shot from the D810 was exposed for the highlights at ISO 64 and selectively pushed by 4EV – while retaining highlights – post-capture.

One of our favorite things about the D810 is its incredible dynamic range at its true ‘base’ ISO of 64. If you’re a regular lurker in DPR comments threads you’ll know that whether or not you need more DR is still (for some reason) a topic of hot debate. We’ll save you a lot of research and just say once and for all that more dynamic range is always a good thing. More DR means greater potential for capturing a wider range of tones in a single, clean, exposure. In fact, ISO 64 on the D810 allows it to compete with medium-format image quality.

If you’re still unconvinced, read this.

The D5’s autofocus system

The D5’s 153-point AF system is superbly versatile, and much more effective in poor light than the D810’s older system.

It’s a pretty safe bet that the D5’s 153-point autofocus system will find its way into the D850. The D5 (and the D500, which uses the same AF array) offers truly state-of-the-art autofocus, including excellent accuracy in poor light (not a strength of the D810) and an extraordinarily capable 3D AF tracking system.

There’s a common misconception that AF tracking is only really useful when shooting sports, action and wildlife, but we’ve come to appreciate it for portraiture, too. Especially for kids and babies, who don’t always stand as still as photographers would like.

4K video

The D500 and D5 offer 4K video capture, with some restrictions – we’re hoping that the D850 improves on their video specification.

The D850 will probably offer some flavor of 4K video capture. If it does end up with a 42MP sensor like the one on the Sony a7R II, we’d love to see D850 provide the same kind of video resolution options as that camera, with full-frame 4K plus an option for higher-quality oversampled 4K with a Super 35 crop.

Even if the D850 doesn’t ship with a7R II-style 4K feature suite, we’d at least hope for the addition of more sophisticated highlight warnings, plus focus peaking, which is a glaring omission from the D500 and D5. Oh and the reason we’re not clamoring for on-sensor masked PDAF: the artifacts it can result in with most mirrorless cameras when shooting into back-light.

XQD support

CompactFlash has been around a long time, but XQD cards are the future. The D500 offers one XQD slot and one SD slot – we’d expect the D850 to provide the same configuration.

It’s had a good run, and honestly it’s hung around for a lot longer than we thought it would, but the venerable CompactFlash memory format has had its day. The XQD media used in the D500 and D5 is smaller, mechanically simpler, and much, much faster.

Since Nikon is pitching the D850 as having ‘high-speed capabilities,’ we’d expect that the D850 will at least offer a single XQD slot, probably with an SD slot as backup/overflow (like the D500).

An articulated, touch-sensitive LCD

The D500’s rear screen is touch-sensitive and semi-articulating. We’re hoping to see the same screen on the D850.

We’d expect the D850’s rear screen to at least offer the 2.36M-dot resolution and limited touch-sensitivity features of the D5, but we’re really hoping that it’s articulated, too. While potentially less robust than fixed displays, tilting screens are much more useful, especially for landscapes, and indeed any tripod-mounted shooting from low or high angles.

Proper electronic first-curtain shutter implementation

This is what mirror/shutter shock looks like at its worst. We’re hoping the D850 offers a more effective electronic first curtain shutter feature.

The D810 improved on the D800-series by offering electronic first-curtain shutter (EFCS) to reduce the risk of shutter shock, but in our opinion, it didn’t go far enough.

With the D850, we’d love to see Nikon implement this feature properly, which means decoupling it from the mirror lock-up drive mode. Essentially it could operate much like the existing exposure delay mode, but with a much shorter delay. When the shutter button is pressed, the shutter and mirror would lock up, and the exposure would be started electronically a fraction of a second later.

We’ve found even a quarter of a second (or less) to be long enough to allow mirror vibrations to die out. A proper EFCS implementation would go a long way to avoiding mirror and shutter-related shake, especially some of the odd results we saw with some Nikon VR lenses.

Built-in Wi-Fi (and improved SnapBridge)

Snapbridge has improved since we first encountered it in the D500, but it’s still not great. We’d expect some degree of built-in connectivity but are hoping Nikon has made a fair few steps forward.

The D810 arrived before built-in Wi-Fi was widespread in Nikon’s lineup and we’d expect the D850 to offer built-in connectivity of some kind, as opposed to being limited to using external Wi-Fi modules. Nikon’s beginner-focused ‘SnapBridge’ system provides full-time Bluetooth connection but it offers limited access to, or control over, Wi-Fi. As such, it would seem like an odd fit for a camera that promises both high speed and high resolution capture (but hey – Nikon put it into the D500, so who knows?)

If present, we’d expect the D850 to feature Nikon’s full ‘SnapBridge’ suite, which includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC. We can only hope that the company continues its efforts to improve the system.

Improved Auto AF Fine Tune

Auto AF Fine Tune is a great feature, but there’s room for improvement. We’re hoping that Nikon has refined it in the D850.

The D5 and D500 offer automated AF point calibration, but it’s not as useful – or as easy to use – as we’d like. Since higher resolution bodies require even greater AF precision, we’d love for Nikon to do some work on this feature in the D850. Specifically, we’d like to see the Auto AF Fine Tune extended to all AF points, not just the center point, and we’d like to be able to calibrate for different subject distances, and for ends of a zoom lens’s range. We’d also like calibration to be made more consistent – often the obtained value varies every time you try it.

In theory, if Auto AF Fine Tune could be improved along these lines, the D850 owner would be able to all-but guarantee accurate autofocus on each of his/her lenses, in any shooting condition. This has become expected, thanks to mirrorless.

Smaller body, illuminated controls

If you’ve ever shot at night, or early in the morning, you’ll appreciate the value of backlit controls. Will the D850 inherit this feature from the D5 and D500? We hope so.

The D810 is a pretty beefy camera, and not the most comfortable DSLR to hold and use for extended periods of time. We’re really hoping that the Nikon D850 gets slimmed-down a little, in the same way as we’ve seen with the D750 and D7500.

Another feature that we’d like to see included in the D850 is backlit controls. The ability to illuminate key control points in the D5 and D500 is extremely useful for low light and night shooting.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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