Nikon

Who would have thought we would say the day where Nikon bested Canon for video in their DSLR. The D850 is an exceptional stills cam. Perhaps the best stills cam with its sensor size. So having great video is a bonus too and makes for a great hybrid camera.

Keep in mind this is a hand-held sample shot in a camera store with a 105mm lens that does not have image-stabilization. There are some concerning features to this video though (rolling shutter and jitter). However, as the technique wasn’t appropriate we can’t really make any conclusions.

With better technique:

It’s hard to tell from this two minute video how good the Nikon D850’s video quality really is. The lack of IBIS definitely requires more thoughtful and supportive movements. But compared to Nikon’s previous attempts at video this is obviously their best yet.

Nikon D850 Specifications:

Resolution: 45.7 megapixels of effective resolution. 45.4 MP files rich in detail. CMOS backlit sensor in full Nikon FX format and without low-pass optical filter.

• Speeds: 7 fps or 9 fps when using the optional MB-D18 multi-power battery pack (with the EN-EL18B battery inserted).
• ISO Sensitivity in Light: The powerful Nikon EXPEED 5 image processor delivers outstandingly sharp images in the ISO 64-25.600 range, expandable from 32 to 102.400 ISO (equivalent). The full ISO range is also available for 4K video shooting.
• Accuracy: The same phenomenal 153-point Autofocus system of the Nikon D5 top range provides sensitivity up to -4EV at the center point (ISO 100, 20 ° C). Exposure measurement up to -3EV allows precise exposure even under conditions where the only source of light is lunar.
• 4K video with no clipping factor: Record full-size movies at 4K / UHD at 30p, without clipping factor limitations. Snap for over three hours using the MB-D18 multi-power battery pack.
• Accelerated time-lapse movies in 4K directly “on the camera” but not only: in addition, the Nikon D850 uses its 45.7 megapixels to create fast and spectacular 8K post-production movies.
• RAW format flexibility: Snaps into 45.4 MP RAW format (large size), 25.6 MP (average size), or 11.4 MP (small size).
• In every room: thanks to its rugged body and ready to handle all weather conditions, the Nikon D850 is ready to resume in any kind of extreme environment. The same full-blinking light on the Nikon D5 guarantees ease of use even in the middle of the night.
• Quick Store: The two-card slot drive allows you to use a SD UHS-II and an XQD for quick file save.

The Nikon D850 interests us because it appears to be Nikon’s first full frame camera that shoots 4K without crop.

An unconfirmed source has told us that the price for the D850 will be $4,500 CAD, which would amount to approximately $3,500 USD. Ouch if true.

We don’t hate the Nikon D7500 as much as everyone else (although the lack of compatibility with some older Nikon lenses, lack of battery grip, and single card slot aren’t preferable). It’s a nice, small camera with amazing autofocus. Video though is the same old Nikon story: No one buys Nikon for 4K video. The D7500 of course shares the same horrendous video crop factor of it’s big brother the Nikon D500.

Both the Nikon D500 and D7500 do 4K video and are probably identical in their video performance (same sensor), but the following omissions make it better to pay the few hundred dollars extra for the D500:

• No second card slot that is UHS-I.
• No aperture-ring feeler (No metering with manual focus lenses!)
• Lower resolution rear screen.
• Less buffer, focus points and FPS than D500.

Because of the extensive crop in video, most people don’t buy the D500 et. al. for video purposes.  But if you’re a Nikon shooter who doesn’t want to invest in another system and you have wide enough lenses to compensate for the video crop then the D500 will let you produce decent 4K videos up to 30 minutes in length.

We have seen reports of, and we have one source confirming, that the D7300 which feature 4K video. We have been told to expect a D500 like model with lesser autofocus abilities and build quality. We have no confirmation if the same atrocious crop that is the D500 will be present in the D7300.