Will the Nikon D850 be my Next Camera?

In this video I discuss my time spent with the Nikon D850 and how it compares to my Canon 5DMKIV for Landscape Photography. I show and compare test images give my opinion on pixel peeping and DXO marks. This was in no way a serious lab test comparison, but in the real world I did see some differences.

**Music**
Stay Near - Henrik Olsson

Some kit used/seen in this video. These are affiliate links.

#LandscapePhotography #D850 #5DMKIV

[tayywongg]

Dissappointed, thought you are going to talk about your new hat.

[AlynWallace]

There isn't a hobby as expensive as photography? Let me tell you about astronomy...

[ryanmutch]

Hahahahahaha, I love how Thomas just montaged all the camera reviewers together. That was hilarious Sir!

[kghareeb]

The dynamic range of the D850 is legendary, you must have missed on the focus .

[rockapejv]

Wow, I'm never had a file so muddy from my own D850. Definitely something not right there (poor lens quality, or maybe slight camera shake?). had a few blurred looking shots recently, using a tripod, but that was near a busy road (vibration?), but most of the time the images are truly spectacular (particularly on my Tamron 15-30 and my Sigma 135mm Art lens).
My D850 would have to be prised from my cold dead hands.

[Nateit]

This is great. I love that you are doing a review for the best camera for you, not the entire world. Many of the complaints made by other YT reviewers do not apply to landscape photographers while other features are glossed over but make a huge impact on quality and ease of use for landscapers.

[richardazar]

Thomas, as a Nikon shooter for over 50 years I can assure you that they are second to none compared to other 35mm or full frame camera's. Now with some camera's they aren't that much better, like the Canon or Fuji, but still better. Your photo of the brick church and grounds actually shows more detail in the foreground grass than the Canon so I would think that something happened with your woods detail shot. The detail in the grass and twigs should be eye shearing sharp. I would try another test shot if you can.

[iangrogan]

"Photography is the most expensive hobby"

Videographers: "hold my beer..."

[Serpent]

The second Nikon file looks like it had minor camera shake. I have the same problem with my A7RIII, with the high megapixels I have to always shoot more images as shake is a lot more noticeable. But when it nails it is very sharp.

[usefshikim]

The second shot of the D850 "Dynamic Range Test" looks out of focus to me!

[JamesBrewphoto]

Why didn't you use ISO 64? It's like having an extra gear that you chose not to go into. I shoot 80% of all my images at ISO 64 and find the results absolutely superb!

[speterlewis]

Love your positive attitude ("It's about photography, and not the gear.) And yet....(here we go, right?)...I've been happily [and profitably] shooting Pentax since the 80s, and I hope you decide to try the K-1.

[TomMasonPhoto]

The D850 is one heck of a great all round camera - The dynamic range test looks odd because in use over the last years I've found it superb in practical real world use - but as you say the best camera is the one you know how to get the best out of!  You love the shots out of your 5D4 so is switching really worth it?
If you've worked with Canon for so many years you likely know the system better right now... (wink wink)! 
Great videos as always Thomas! Cheers, Tom

[derekwillson]

Excellent review Thomas, the practical field test is the only realistic way to get definitive answers to the practical questions around a piece of very technical kit. I'm looking forward to the next few tests, thanks Del

[cosmogang]

Ken makes his first appearance on Thomas's channel - golden

[chrislongstay]

The kind of test we need more of. Thanx Thomas. Excellent as usual.

[ManyDoors]

I really hope you can try out the Fujifilm GFX 50r.

[FRCNOV]

Thanks for sharing. I like your work. Simplicity, sincerity and honesty. Greetings from Brazil.

[branislavpetkovic]

There is a couple of things missed because you are not so familiar with D850:

1. Canon 5Dm4 and Nikon D850 does not gives you the same exposure for the same settings which is obvious from all your photos. D850 is almost 2/3 of a stop brighter and that is not because of different sensor. That is just Nikon's tweaking and it is the case if you compare Nikon FF cameras to cameras with similar Sony sensors like Pentax or Sony.

2. That is also the reason why Canon looks better in highlights with that high dynamic range forest scene, Nikon should be 2/3 of a stop underexposed to get similar exposure and quality of details in highlights. Don't worry about the shadows on Nikon, Sony sensors are much better in lifting up those shadows in compare to Canon sensors.

3. You probably used 5Dm4 minimum ISO which is optimal for Canon but not optimal for Nikon which has much lower minimal ISO. For a fair dynamic range test you should use minimal ISO on both cameras

4. Not sure about of blurriness of that D850 forest shot. Maybe you missed focus a little bit or introduced very little camera shake

 It is also very important in tests like this to have lens with very similar quality. It looks to me that your Nikon lens is sharper but also have much more optical aberrations than Canon lens.

[sulev]

get a better lens for Nikon.
*I think this whole video is weird. You should know better beforehand. Reminds me of you taking a M50 with kit lenses up into the Alps and then coming back a bit surprised that it had camera shake and the images weren't as sharp as with your 2, 8 lenses. I mean, come on. Do your research. Don't just concentrate on the photography especially when you are using a new system.
And as others have pointed out: you can't really compare those images 1:1 as the D850 will have more noise(compare them at the same resolution and the d850 will win), but it also has ISO64, which for some reason you didn't use, why???
Another thing, yes, this image IS out of focus. You can confirm this by simply looking at the sun, there is no starburst effect on the sun. And massive chromatic aberration indicates there is something wrong with your copy of the lens or it's just a bad lens. You never told us what you were using to begin with. And did you disable VR?
Check your mistakes and try again.
You don't need to be on the field to test IQ. You room is dark and the window is bright, there's your dynamic range test. Rent a decent lens.
Who knows, maybe the lens needed some microadjustment too.
Don't just make your mind up with first experience.
Anyways, hope this helps.

I hope you give Pentax a try too.