Nikon Z f vs Nikon D850

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

Nikon Z f

Nikon D850

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon Z f were released 2023 and Nikon D850 was released 2017. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Nikon Z f	2023
Nikon D850	2017

Type of camera

Nikon Z f is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D850 is a DSLR 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 Z f	50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D850	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 Z f has a 25 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D850 has 46 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Nikon Z f	25 MP 24385536 pixels 6048 x 4032
Nikon D850	46 MP 45441024 pixels 8256 x 5504

Nikon D850 has a 86 % larger resolution than Nikon Z f. 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 Z f has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D850. Nikon Z f has an ISO range that stretches from 50 to 204800 while Nikon D850 has 64 to 25600.

Camera	ISO Range
Nikon Z f	50-204800
Nikon D850	64-25600

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 Z f
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D850

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon Z f can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds and Nikon D850 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon Z f	14
Nikon D850	9

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Nikon Z f and Nikon D850 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 42% heavier than Nikon Z f and its 710 gr (or 1.57 lb).

Camera	Weight
Nikon Z f	710 gr 1.57 lb
Nikon D850	1005 gr 2.22 lb