The Nikon D850: Still a Great Camera Choice in 2023

The Nikon D850 was released in 2017 and quickly became a favourite of photographers everywhere. It is still a great camera choice today, thanks to its amazing features and capabilities. In this blog post, we will discuss why the Nikon D850 is still a top pick for photographers (and me), even after over 5 years on the market!

The Nikon D850 is a full-frame DSLR camera that offers excellent image quality, great performance, and a wide range of features.

It is perfect for photographers of all levels, from beginners to professionals. The D850 is also a great choice for those who want to shoot video with their DSLR camera (even though I have never really used this feature, I have seen feature films created with a D850).

I bought mine in 2017 and I am still shooting with it today.

Why?

Well, I think one of the best things about the Nikon D850 is its image quality. The camera produces stunningly sharp and detailed images, even in low-light conditions. It also has a great dynamic range, meaning I can capture both highlights and shadows easily. I always expose for the highlights because I know I can recover the shadows in post-production. I used to shoot a lot of HDR but since owning the D850 I really haven't needed to.

When it comes to landscape photography, the Nikon D850 is simply in a class of its own, even more than 5 years later.

The camera's 45.0-megapixel sensor produces amazingly detailed and vibrant images, making it a favourite among landscape photographers. When paired with my Nikon 14-24mm f2.8 wide-angle lens, the D850 is an unstoppable force in landscape photography.

The Nikon D850 is also a great choice for wildlife photographers. The camera's high-speed shooting capabilities and excellent autofocus system allow you to capture fast-moving animals without missing a beat. When paired with the battery grip, the camera can shoot at up to 9 frames per second, making it a great choice for capturing fast-moving animals.

So why would you buy a Nikon D850 over the newer mirrorless cameras available today?

The answer is simple: for the money, the D850 is still one of the best cameras on the market, even after more than five years. It offers excellent image quality, great performance, and a wide range of features that make it a perfect choice for photographers of all levels. If you're looking for a DSLR camera that can do it all, the Nikon D850 should be at the top of your list.

Here's a list of some of my most loved features of the Nikon D850

Image quality

The Nikon D850 features a 45.0-megapixel sensor, making it one of the highest resolution DSLR cameras on the market. The sensor produces stunningly sharp and detailed images and works well in low-light conditions. You can crop your images knowing you still have plenty of detail. You can print them large and they'll look great.

Dynamic range

The Nikon D850 has a great dynamic range, meaning you can capture both highlights and shadows in your photos with ease. This is a great feature for landscape photographers as it allows you to capture all the detail in both the bright and dark areas of your scene. I only use graduated filters in extreme cases. Usually, there is no need to as the dynamic range is so great.

Excellent Autofocus

The Nikon D850 has an excellent autofocus system. I find it rarely misses focus and never hunts like some of my past cameras did. There are also several focus modes, single point, dynamic area, and auto-area to name a few. I mostly use the single point as I find it the most accurate. But, the other modes have their time and place too.

High ISO performance

The Nikon D850 has a great high ISO performance. I can shoot at ISO 6400 and still get usable results. This is a great feature for those who like to shoot in low-light conditions, Astrophotography or want the ability to shoot at higher shutter speeds.

Battery life

The Nikon D850 has excellent battery life. I can usually get through an entire day of shooting without needing to recharge. This is a great feature for those who like to shoot long days or travel often.

It's adaptable

The Nikon D850 is a great choice for all-around photography. It's perfect for landscape, portrait, wildlife, and even sports photography. I use mine for landscape, macro and wildlife photography, with each setup in my custom settings so it is easy to switch from one to the other.

It's a perfect camera for photographers of all levels

The Nikon D850 is a perfect camera for photographers of all levels. It's easy to use and has a wide range of features that will appeal to both beginners and professionals. If you are looking to make the move to full-frame then the D850 would be an amazing starting point.

It feels good in the hands

The Nikon D850 feels great in the hands. It's well-balanced and not too heavy, of course, the mirrorless cameras are lighter, but they all sacrifice a bit of the 'feel' in my opinion.

I LOVE the button backlighting

The Nikon D850 has a great feature where you can backlight the buttons on the top of the camera and the buttons on the back of the camera. This is great for those who shoot in low-light conditions or simply want an easier time finding the buttons in the dark.

There are tons of lens options

The Nikon D850 has a wide range of lens options available, from wide-angle to telephoto, and everything in between. You can find a lens to suit any need, whether you're shooting landscapes, macro, wildlife or portraits. Nikon f mount lenses are easy to find on the second-hand market and are getting cheaper and cheaper as everyone migrates to mirrorless.

It's weather sealed

The Nikon D850 is weather-sealed, meaning it's resistant to dust and moisture. This is a great feature for those who like to shoot in all kinds of conditions, from the beach to the mountains. I even give my D850 a quick rinse with fresh water spray after seascape sessions to get the salt spray off without a worry.

It has dual card slots

The Nikon D850 has two card slots, meaning you can easily store and backup your photos and videos. This is a great feature for those who like to travel or shoot large files. I have never bothered with the second card slot but I know so many people want this feature (If I was still shooting weddings I would definitely have a backup card)

Lots of customisation options

The Nikon D850 has lots of customisation options, meaning you can tailor the camera to your specific needs. This is a great feature for those who like to have complete control over their camera. I have most of the buttons customised for how I like to shoot. It makes it easy to access the features that are important to me.

The D850 is a workhorse, it's tough, and it just keeps going

With the transition to mirrorless, there are a lot of photographers making the switch meaning that you can usually grab a Nikon D850 on the second-hand market at a reasonable price.

Here are a few tips for buying a second-hand D850,

1. Make sure to inspect the camera for any damage or wear and tear, or ask for close up shots so you can see the actual camera you are buying.

2. If you are inspecting it in person, make sure to test all of the camera's features to make sure they are working properly. Otherwise, organise a Zoom call and get the seller to show you each function working.

3. Make sure to ask the seller questions about the camera's history to get a better idea of how it has been treated. Photographers love telling stories. Get them talking about the adventures they had been on with the D850. You will learn a lot!

4. Check the shutter count. The D850 is rated to 200k shutter actuations, I have seen some with well over that number but anything more than 50k and I would be asking for a hefty discount, there are too many D850 cameras with low shutter count (10k to 30k) on the market to warrant going any higher without a financial benefit. 

5. Check out eBay for recent sales, this will give you an idea of what you should expect to pay. 

By following these simple tips, you can be sure to find a great deal on a Nikon D850 that will serve you well for many years to come.

Thanks for reading!