Nikon D850 vs Panasonic G9

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Nikon D850 vs Panasonic G9

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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.

4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G9 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic G9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G9.
Compare Panasonic G9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic G9 conclusion.

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Differences

Nikon D850 advantages over Panasonic G9

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.35 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 0.9 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer video battery life
70 vs 55 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 400 shots
Capture more photos
Higher-res screen
590k vs 347k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More pixels
45.7 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 50 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 50 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic G9 advantages over Nikon D850

Less expensive
$1498 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
Slower slow-motion
180 fps vs 120 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Lighter weight
658g vs 915g
Lighter weight
More viewfinder magnification
0.83x vs 0.75x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
60.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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
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

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G9 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D850

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaker's Kit

All D850 Deals

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Buy the Panasonic G9

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens

All G9 Deals

Review Excerpt

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

Great build quality; Very good image quality; Effective IBIS; Excellent performance; Fast shooting speeds; 4K/60p video.
No phase-detection autofocus; 10-minute limit for 4k60p video clips; No V-Log or 10-bit video.
Read our Panasonic G9 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5DS

Nikon D850

Canon 5DS

$2597
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1549
35mm

Less expensive
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon 5DS

Panasonic G9

Canon 5DS

$1065
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$1549
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Canon 5DS

Compared to Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

$2597
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II

Panasonic G9

Sony A99 II

$1065
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3198
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Sony A99 II

Compared to Panasonic GH5

Nikon D850

Panasonic GH5

$2597
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D850 vs Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

$1065
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic GH5

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II

$2597
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-1 II

Panasonic G9

Pentax K-1 II

$1065
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Panasonic G95

Nikon D850

Panasonic G95

$2597
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D850 vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic G9

Panasonic G95

$1065
4/3

Slower slow-motion
High resolution composite

$848
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic G95

Compare Other Cameras?