Nikon Z6 II vs Nikon D850

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon Z6 II and Nikon D850. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon Z6 II were released 2020 and Nikon D850 was released 2017. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon Z6 II 2020
Nikon D850 2017

Type of camera

Nikon Z6 II 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 Z6 II 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 Z6 II 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 Z6 II 25 MP
24337152 pixels
6048 x 4024
Nikon D850 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon D850 has a 87 % larger resolution than Nikon Z6 II. 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 Z6 II has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D850. Nikon Z6 II has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Nikon D850 has 64 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon Z6 II 100-51200
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 Z6 II
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 Z6 II 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 Z6 II 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 Z6 II 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 43% heavier than Nikon Z6 II and its 705 gr (or 1.55 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon Z6 II 705 gr
1.55 lb
Nikon D850 1005 gr
2.22 lb

Nikon Z6 II vs Nikon D850 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon Z6 II and Nikon D850, 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 Z6 II
Nikon D850
Name Nikon Z6 II Nikon D850
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon Z6 II
Nikon D850
Release Year 2020 2017
Release Date 2020-10-14 2017-07-25
MSRP 1995 USD 3299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon Z6 II
Nikon D850
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Nikon Z6 II
Nikon D850
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 BSI-CMOS
Resolution 6048 x 4024 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 25 MP 46 MP
Image Processor DUAL EXPEED 6 EXPEED 5
Image
Nikon Z6 II
Nikon D850
ISO Range 100 - 51200 64 - 25600
White Balance Presets 12 14
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW + TIFF RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Nikon Z6 II
Nikon D850
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 273 151
Lens Mount Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

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 Z6 II
Nikon D850
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 2100000 2359000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8x 0.75×
Viewfinder Resolution 3690000 0
Photography features
Nikon Z6 II
Nikon D850
Frames per second 14 fps 9 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 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 steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon Z6 II
Nikon D850
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Nikon Z6 II
Nikon D850
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
XQD
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Nikon Z6 II
Nikon D850
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-In (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-In ( 802.11b/g + NFC + Bluetooth 4.1 LE)
Remote Control Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone)
Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon Z6 II
Nikon D850
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL15c lithium-ion battery & charger
EN-EL15a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 410 shots 1840 shots
Width 134 mm 146 mm
Height 101 mm 124 mm
Depth 70 mm 79 mm
Weight 705 gram 1005 gram