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Nikon D850 First Impressions Review

25 Aug

Nikon D850 preview

The Nikon D850 is Nikon’s latest high resolution full-frame DSLR, boasting a 46MP backside-illuminated CMOS sensor. But, in a fairly radical departure for the series, it is also one of the company’s fastest-shooting DSLRs. This combination of properties should significantly widen the camera’s appeal to high-end enthusiasts as well as a broad range of professional photographers.

Key Specifications:

  • 45.7MP BSI CMOS sensor
  • 7 fps continuous shooting with AE/AF (9 with battery grip and EN-EL18b battery)
  • 153-point AF system linked to 180,000-pixel metering system
  • UHD 4K video capture at up to 30p from full sensor width
  • 1080 video at up to 120p, recorded as roughly 1/4 or 1/5th speed slow-mo
  • 4:2:2 8-bit UHD uncompressed output while recording to card
  • 1 XQD slot and 1 UHS II-compliant SD slot
  • Battery life rated at 1840 shots
  • 3.2″ tilting touchscreen with 2.36M-dot (1024×768 pixel) LCD
  • Illuminated controls
  • 19.4MP DX crop (or 8.6MP at 30fps for up to 3 sec)
  • SnapBridge full-time Bluetooth LE connection system with Wi-Fi
  • Advanced time-lapse options (including in-camera 4K video creation)

High resolution

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.

Like the D810 before it, the D850 continues to offer an ISO 64 mode, that allows it to tolerate more light in bright conditions. We will be testing whether this gives the D850 the same dynamic range advantage as the D810, as soon as a production version arrives but our initial quick looks suggests it does, meaning it should be able to compete with the medium format sensors used in the likes of the Fujifilm GFX 50S and Pentax 645Z.

A BSI sensor with ISO 64 setting should be able to match the D810’s low ISO DR while also offering improved performance in at high ISOs.

And, while the D850 still hasn’t got an electronic first curtain option to ensure stable shooting when using the viewfinder (you need to use live view or Mirror-up mode). However, presumably thanks to a redesigned shutter and mirror mechanism, our quick check with a pre-production model suggests shutter shock may not be an issue, even without it.

The D850 has no anti-aliasing filter, which should allow for slightly finer detail capture but with added risk of moiré, if any of your lenses are sharp enough to out-resolve a 45.7MP full-frame sensor. There’s still no sign of the clever design Nikon patented so, unlike the Pentax K-1 or Sony RX1R II, you can’t engage an anti-aliasing effect if you do find false color appearing in densely patterned areas.

High Speed

In addition to the increased speed, the D850 also gains the full AF capabilities of the company’s flagship sports camera: the D5. This includes all the hardware: AF module, metering sensor and dedicated AF processor, as well as the full range of AF modes and configuration options, which should translate to comparable focus performance combined with high resolution.

Given the D5 possessed one of the best AF systems we’ve ever seen and could continue to offer that performance in a wide range of conditions and shooting scenarios with minimal need for configuration, this is an exciting prospect.

As part of this system, the D850 gains the automated system for setting an AF Fine Tune value. It only calibrates the lens based on the central AF point and for a single distance, but it’s a simple way to ensure you’re getting closer to your lenses’ full capabilities, which is handy given you’ll now be able to scrutinize their performance with 46MP of detail.

Add the optional MB-D18 battery grip and an EN-EL18b battery, and the D850 will shoot at 9 frames per second.

Impressively, the D850 can shoot at nine frames per second if you add the optional MB-D18 battery grip and buy an EN-EL18b battery, as used in the D5. As well as increasing the camera’s burst rate, this combination also ups the battery life to a staggering 5140 shots per charge. You don’t get this same boost in speed or endurance if you use a second EN-EL15a in the grip, though.

An MB-D18 plus an EN-EL18b is likely to set you back over $ 580 over and above the cost of the camera body ($ 399 for the grip, around $ 149 for the battery, $ 30 for the BL-6 battery chamber cover plus the cost of a charger).

The D850 also includes a sufficiently deep buffer to allow fifty-one 14-bit losslessly compressed Raw files, meaning the majority of photographers are unlikely to hit its limits.

Video capabilities

In terms of video the D850 becomes the first Nikon DSLR to capture 4K video from the full width of its sensor. The camera can shoot at 30, 25 or 24p, at a bitrate of around 144 Mbps. It can simultaneously output uncompressed 4:2:2 8-bit UHD to an external recorder while recording to the card. Our initial impression is that the video is pixel-binned, rather than being resolved then downsampled (oversampling), but we’ll be checking on this as part of the review process. This risks lowering the level of detail capture and increases the risk of moiré, though it’s a better solution than line-skipping. There also seemed to be a fair amount of rolling shutter, but again these are only first impressions from a camera running non-final firmware.

At 1080 resolution, the camera can shoot at up to 60p, with a slow-mo mode that can capture at 120 frames per second before outputting at either 25 or 24p. The 1080 mode also offers focus peaking and digital stabilization, neither of which are available for 4K shooting.

The D850’s tilting rear screen will make video shooting easier, though we doubt many will use its contrast-detection tap-to-focus system when they do.

The D850 doesn’t have any Log gamma options for high-end videographers, but it does have the ‘Flat’ Picture Profile to squeeze a little extra dynamic range into its footage, without adding too much to the complexity of grading. It also offers full Auto ISO with exposure compensation when shooting in manual exposure mode, meaning you can set your aperture value and shutter speed, and let the camera try to maintain that brightness by varying the sensitivity.

As you’d expect from a camera at this level, the D850 also includes the Power Aperture feature that allows the camera to open and close the lens iris smoothly when in live view mode. There’s also an ‘Attenuator’ mode for the camera’s audio capture, that rolls-off any loud noises to avoid unpleasant clipping sounds.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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The Nikon D850 can scan film using the new ES-2 digitizing adapter

25 Aug

There’s a neat trick baked into the new Nikon D850 that you may not have noticed yet. Hidden away among the many features broken down in the D850 announcement is this line:

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

For Nikon shooters who occasionally get their film photography on, this is actually a pretty interesting and useful feature. Basically, the D850 allows you to eschew the film scanner, pop a Nikkor macro lens onto your DSLR—Nikon recommends the AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED—and take pictures of your negatives or slides using the FH-4 Strip Film Holder or FH-5 Slide Mount Holder.

The camera will then convert these into positives in-camera and save them as JPEGs. Sure, you’ll still want to use some sort of light table or flash to light the film up for the shot, but it’s quite convenient and definitely quicker than scanning.

The ES-2 was announced quietly alongside the D850 last night, will retail for $ 150, and is already available for pre-order on the Nikon website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon D850: First full-res sample images

25 Aug

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Nikon Japan has released the first set of official sample images captured with the new Nikon D850. Unfortunately there aren’t RAWs, but they are full-resolution JPEGs shot in 14-bit RAW and converted to JPEG using Capture NX-D.

Given the D850’s beast of a 45.7MP sensor, even in JPEG the files are anything but small, ranging in size from 18MB all the way to 25.4MB. We can’t wait to get our hands on a production model and shoot our own sample gallery, but in the meantime these photos should give you a good idea of what the new full-frame camera can do in the real world.

And if you want to find out more about how the D850 camera handles, check out our hands on:

Hands On with the Nikon D850

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Throwback Thursday: the Nikon D700

24 Aug

Back in 2007 (yes, that really was 10 years ago), the D3 made quite a splash in the digital camera world. It was Nikon’s first ever full-frame DSLR, and while it couldn’t compete with Canon’s EOS-1Ds Mark III in terms of resolution, it did come with some of the best low-light performance around.

Less than one year later, Nikon blew everyone away by offering a ‘baby D3’ in the D700. With remarkably few significant disadvantages – shooting speed, a single card slot and the 95% coverage viewfinder being the significant ones – the D700 looked a bargain, getting you D3 image quality for $ 1700 less. Not bad, Nikon, not bad.

There have been ‘compact’, full-frame followups over the years, but it didn’t look as though Nikon was really interested in offering a clear successor to the D700. The D800 had tons of resolution but gave up some speed, the D610 had an unimpressive autofocus system, and the D750 made some shutter mechanism and build quality compromises, despite its all-around capability.

With the D850, can we concretely say that Nikon has finally created the spiritual successor to the D700? We’re not sure we’d go that far, but what the D850 does represent is a return to Nikon throwing almost everything it can into a pro-grade camera body with very competitive pricing. As with the D700 versus the D3, the D850 makes a compelling argument to ignore the D5 unless the extra frames per second and the built-in grip really matter to you. In many ways, it will be a better camera for many photographers than a D5.

So as you soak up the specs of Nikon’s newest full-frame offering, we invite you to take a trip down memory lane and revisit our original 32-page review of the Nikon D700 to see just what made that camera so special (and see how it got a whopping 25 ‘pros’ to only 3 ‘cons’).

Read our original Nikon D700 review

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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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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Blind portrait shootout: Sony a9 vs Canon 1DX Mark II vs Nikon D5

23 Aug

Photographer Michael Andrew of YouTube channel Michael the Maven has put together a ‘Flagship Epic Shootout Review’ video comparing the Sony a9, Nikon D5 and Canon 1DX Mark II. The full video is genuinely worth your time, but if you don’t have 44 minutes to spend watching the full review, one section in particular is both fun and frustrating: the blind portrait test.

Like it or not, we all have implicit biases when it comes to comparing cameras—it’s hard not to when you’ve spent thousands (or tens of thousands) on your kit. But is the camera you say you like best, the one that produces the images you like most? When it comes down to the camera, by itself, using its own color engine, do you prefer Nikon, Canon, or Sony?

That’s what Andrew wants to help you figure out, bias-free, in this blind portrait shootout. He shot 12 identical portraits using all three flagship cameras, and he challenges you to rank them before you know which camera shot which portrait. The game is simple: grab a pice of paper and list it from 1 to 12, and then draw three columns labeled A, B, and C at the top. As the images pop up on screen, give your favorite a score of 3, your second favorite a score of 2, and your least favorite a score of 1.

“At the end, we’ll add the scores to discover which camera’s color science you prefer most,” he says. “Don’t give it too much thought […] I did my very best to take a picture of the same model, in the same lighting conditions, with the same white balance, with the same exposure settings.”

Which do you prefer?

It’s a fun little game that can turn a bit sour at the end when you add up the final score… especially if you’ve ranked your personal favorite brand dead last. This has already happened to two of our staff here at DPReview, and it will probably happen to a few of you as well. And before you jump in with a “just shoot Raw” argument, our Technical Editor Rishi has a message for you:

While shooting Raw helps poor white balance issues, it’s not a panacea for a disagreeable color engine. Putting aside for a moment the convenience of using straight-out-of-camera JPEGs, Raw converters like Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) include camera-specific profiles that emulate the manufacturer’s various color modes, so if they’re not to your taste to begin with, the Raw conversions are also unlikely to be palatable.

Furthermore, ACR can’t emulate the multitude of non-linear, scene-dependent adjustments camera JPEG engines perform. Even the same colors are not necessarily processed in the same manner in a landscape as it is in a portrait. It’s hard for Raw converters to emulate these complex adjustments unless the manufacturer works directly with them to directly share what they’ve learned over decades of color research.

So jump in, take the test, and let us know your scores (and whether or not you betrayed your go-to camera brand) in the comments.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canon beats Nikon to get EISA’s Pro DSLR award for 3rd year running

17 Aug

Canon’s EOS 5D Mk IV has won the European Imaging and Sound Association’s (EISA) Professional DSLR of the Year award, making this the third year in a row that the brand has beaten Nikon to the top spot in the professional camera category. Neither company, though, managed to come out as well as Sony, which won a total of six titles for is compact system range.

One of Sony’s titles was the prestigious European Camera of the Year award—a prize the company hasn’t won in nine years—which went to the a9.

Sony’s other awards included Prosumer Compact Camera of the Year for the a6500, Compact Camera of the Year for the RX100 V, Superzoom Camera of the Year for the RX10 ll, Compact System Lens for its FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS and Professional Compact System Lens for the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS.

Other notable lens awards went to Sigma for the 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art, and to Tamron’s 150-600 f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 and the 18-400mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD. Panasonic’s Lumix DC-GH5 won Photo & Video Camera of the Year, while Prosumer DSLR of the Year went to Nikon’s D7500.

While this was the first year non-European countries were able to take part in the awards process, the Photography Expert Group remained entirely populated by magazine editors from Europe. For more information see the EISA website.

Photography awards in full:

EISA CONSUMER DSLR CAMERA 2017-2018
Canon EOS 77D

EISA PROSUMER DSLR CAMERA 2017-2018
Nikon D7500

EISA PROFESSIONAL DSLR CAMERA 2017-2018
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

EISA CONSUMER COMPACT SYSTEM CAMERA 2017-2018
Fujifilm X-T20

EISA PROSUMER COMPACT SYSTEM CAMERA 2017-2018
Sony 6500

EISA CAMERA 2017-2018
Sony 9

EISA COMPACT CAMERA 2017-2018
Sony RX100 V

EISA SUPERZOOM CAMERA 2017-2018
Sony RX10 III

EISA PHOTO & VIDEO CAMERA 2017-2018
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5

EISA INSTANT CAMERA 2017-2018
Fujifilm Instax SQUARE SQ10

EISA DSLR LENS 2017-2018
SIGMA 135mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art

EISA DSLR ZOOM LENS 2017-2018
Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2

EISA PROFESSIONAL DSLR LENS 2017-2018
Canon EF 16-35mm F2.8L III USM

EISA COMPACT SYSTEM CAMERA LENS 2017-2018
Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS

EISA PROFESSIONAL COMPACT SYSTEM CAMERA LENS 2017-2018
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS

EISA COMPACT SYSTEM CAMERA ZOOM LENS 2017-2018
Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO

EISA PHOTO INNOVATION 2017-2018
Tamron 18-400mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD

EISA PHOTO DISPLAY 2017-2018
EIZO ColorEdge CG2730

EISA SMARTPHONE CAMERA 2017-2018
Huawei P10

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon KeyMission 360 records itself getting chewed on by a tiger

13 Aug

It looks like this tiger was about as frustrated with the Nikon KeyMission 360 as we were when we reviewed it. Obviously frustrated after missing golden hour because she couldn’t get the camera connected to her Android phone, she just gave up and chewed the crap out of it…

Joking aside, Russell Edwards of RSE Photography captured this strange video when the Nikon KeyMission 360 he put just inside the sumatran tigers’ enclosure caught the attention of a curious female. But if the fact that the tiger chewed on the camera doesn’t really amaze you, the fact that the camera survived largely undamaged should.

“To my amazement the kit survived apart from the “lookalike” joby gorilla pod that the tiger treated like it’s doomed prays bones, with literally only a few noticeable tiger teeth marks on the km360,” writes Edwards on YouTube. “The tiger was A-okay and the km360 still works as it should. So if any one is interested in how tough that action cam is, well check out the footage for yourself.”

To see a few pictures of the mostly-undamaged KeyMission 360, head over to Nikon Rumors.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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