Canon G5X vs Nikon D850

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Canon G5X vs Nikon D850

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1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G5X Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G5X in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G5X.
Compare Canon G5X image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon G5X 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 G5X advantages over Nikon D850

Less expensive
$700 vs $2197
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
44 mm vs 78 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
377g vs 915g
Lighter weight
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger RAW buffer
Unlimited vs 200 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Nikon D850 advantages over Canon G5X

Larger sensor
35mm vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.35 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer video battery life
70 vs 40 minutes
Capture more video
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 215 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Higher-res screen
590k vs 346k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.08 vs 0.27 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
45.7 vs 20.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 8 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 0.8 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G5X User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

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Canon G5X

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Buy the Nikon D850

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaker's Kit

All D850 Deals

Review Excerpt

Photographer-friendly controls; Good OLED viewfinder; Good image quality with sharp detail especially with RAW; Vari-angle touchscreen display.
Only 31 autofocus points; Subpar continuous shooting performance; Soft corners at wide-angle; Flare issues and fringing shooting wide-open; No 4K video; Poor battery life.
Read our Canon G5X 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 G16

Canon G5X

Canon G16

$700
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$499
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon G16

Nikon D850

Canon G16

$2464
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$499
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon G16

Compared to Canon G7X Mark II

Canon G5X

Canon G7X Mark II

$700
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$699
1 inch

Longer stills battery life
Shoots 24p video

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon G7X Mark II

Nikon D850

Canon G7X Mark II

$2464
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$699
1 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon G7X Mark II

Compared to Sony A99 II

Canon G5X

Sony A99 II

$700
1 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$3198
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G5X 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

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Canon G5X

Pentax K-1 II

$700
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G5X vs Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II

$2464
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Canon G5X Mark II

Canon G5X

Canon G5X Mark II

$700
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$899
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon G5X vs Canon G5X Mark II

Nikon D850

Canon G5X Mark II

$2464
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
1 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon G5X Mark II

Compare Other Cameras?