Canon 5D Mark IV vs Nikon D850

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Canon 5D Mark IV vs Nikon D850

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35mm 864.0mm²
30.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 5D Mark IV Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 5D Mark IV in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 5D Mark IV.
Compare Canon 5D Mark IV image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 5D Mark IV conclusion.

35mm 858.0mm²
45.7 megapixels
ISO 64 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D850 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D850 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D850.
Compare Nikon D850 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D850 conclusion.

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark IV advantages over Nikon D850

Bigger pixels
~ 5.36 vs 4.35 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
5D Mark IV test data on DxO Mark D850 test data on DxO Mark

2,995 vs 2,660 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 200 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon D850 advantages over Canon 5D Mark IV

Less expensive
$2197* vs $2899
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 0.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1840 vs 900 shots
Capture more photos
More cross-type AF points
99 vs 41
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More pixels
45.7 vs 30.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
153 vs 61
More AF points improve autofocus
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 19 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

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Filmmaker's Kit

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Review Excerpt

Superb image quality from RAW files; Improved dynamic range; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 7fps burst rate with unlimited JPEG buffer; High-quality cinema 4K video; Built-in Wi-Fi; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is very good.
JPEG files look soft at default settings; 1/200s flash sync; 4K video codec is cumbersome; 29:59 continuous video recording limit.
Read our Canon 5D Mark IV Review

Class-leading resolution; Excellent dynamic range; Very good high ISO performance; Very fast AF and burst shooting; Durable weather-sealed body; Improved ergonomics; Touchscreen; Dual card slots; 4K video.
Live view/video mode still uses sluggish contrast-detect AF; Viewfinder only tests at ~98% coverage; No 4K at 60p; 30-minute video clip limit; Focus peaking not supported with 4K.
Read our Nikon D850 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark III

$2349
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$2079
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D850

Canon 5D Mark III

$2464
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$2079
35mm

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D810

Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D810

$2349
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$2291
35mm

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Nikon D810

Nikon D850

Nikon D810

$2464
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$2291
35mm

Internal flash

Compare Nikon D850 vs Nikon D810

Compared to Canon 5DS

Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5DS

$2349
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

$1549
35mm

Less expensive
More pixels

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Canon 5DS

Nikon D850

Canon 5DS

$2464
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1549
35mm

Less expensive
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon 5DS

Compared to Pentax K-1

Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1

$2349
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Pentax K-1

Nikon D850

Pentax K-1

$2464
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1800
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-1

Compared to Sony A99 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A99 II

$2349
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$3198
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

$2464
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II

Compare Other Cameras?