The verdict

We don’t normally talk about other brands in

N-Photo, but the D850 is aimed at a professional readership who will undoubtedly look at other options too. Its closest rival from the Canon stable is the EOS 5D Mark IV, but the D850 outclasses the Canon for resolution, continuous shooting speed and – crucially – full-frame 4K video. Sony’s A7 and A9 cameras are split depending on whether you want resolution (A7R II) or speed (A9), and although Sony’s A99 II SLT (single lens translucent) model matches the D850’s speed and resolution, it doesn’t have the system back-up nor, perhaps, the Nikon system’s long-term future. For now, the D850 really does look to be in a class of its own.