Seeking help choosing between 5D MKIV and D850

[Braineack]

Above are two examples where the MKIV appears to have an edge for my eye. Am I missing something?

take the same picture of a real person (not a photo) in a real environment, then take the raw files and try to recover the shadow data on each.

I think the mkiv compares closer to the old D810.


look at what happens compared to the old d810 when pushing an underexposed shot +5EV: Canon 5D Mark IV brings dramatic dynamic range improvements to the 5D line

 

[jaomul]

The stills specs of the Nikon are better, as are the hardware specs.

In real life I'd doubt many will find the canon 5d IV lacking in any area.

 

[benhasajeep]

If you have the funds, by all means get the D850. Most of the time budgets are involved so we tend to try and save money for the OP.
I have a D850 waiting on me, after I fly home tonight.

 

[Solarflare]

One last note: the D500 is much better than the D850 when it comes to manual focus.

How so ?

The D850 has focus peaking, the D500 (or any other Nikon DSLR except the D850, or any Canon DSLR) does not.

In real life I'd doubt many will find the canon 5d IV lacking in any area.

It lacks in respect to reasons to get one over a 5D Mark III.

 

[returntovendor]

I shoot Canon but the scenario that you are mentioning, even I would take the D850. I've seen video out of it that are just fine. The 5D mk IV is a good camera but as a Canon shooter I was disappointed with it's specs.

Is this purely on the basis of the body? What about the rest of the system like lenses, accessories, support, etc?

Following your answer:

1. manual focus
Even the D850/D500 AF which is superb will sometimes pick the eyebrows or the frame of the glasses instead of the eyes. With wide open glass like my 1.4/105E you see the diffrence. Both cameras have the same pixel density. On the D500 viewfinder I can correct by hand.

2. Iso performance
I would not say that the difference in sensor performance is big between the D500 and the D850. With the D850 I apply color noise reduction more often and the performance of the D500 at 20.000 ISO is stunning. The sensors differ in character. The D500 has a more cleanly look, analytical I would say, the D850 a more film like magical character esp in the low ISO. Color differentiation of the D850 at low ISO is as unmatched as the ISO performance of the D5. With her 64.000 ISO is still usable, 36.000 ISO is still very good. But the D5 is far to specialised in the sports field and low light field for me for the price. The D5 Sensor in a slower lesser body for 2500€ would make a great camera though, my third body...

Ah, that makes sense. My D60 is only equipped with 10 MP. While it still produces some great photos, there really isn't much of a difference between eyelashes and eyeballs if you're shooting anything further out than an uncomfortably close headshot.

Thanks for that insight. I'll look further into the D500 to see if it could meet what I'm looking for.

If stills is your main thing then the D850 is a clear winner!
It took all the goodness of the D810 and took it to the next level, but again if you feel a pull toward the 5DIV then get it, its also a good camera.
You are locked at the D810 specs not considering the D850 is a brand new camera with a new sensor which has totally new technology (BSI).
If you want to know exactly how the 5DIV is compared to the 5DIV then wait longer till we get more information about how they are compared.

I want to repeat, both cameras are great and you cant go wrong with either, the D810 was considered in many ways to be able to produce better images then the 5DIV from all the reviews I saw, I am expecting the D850 to be able to do same (if not even better) with far more resolution.
Somehow I feel like you want to find why to get the 5DIV, to me this looks like you want (deep inside) the 5DIV so just get it, its a good tool, more then adequate for what you want but if you want the best camera the D850 is the clear winner (in specs) and the camera I will recommend.

I've been recommended to rent both cameras. It's not particularly an expense I want, but I know that the cost of the body + a lens would be much larger so I should be sure about what I'm buying.

I do feel a pull toward the MKIV, but I want to be sure that I'm not passing up a camera with superior image quality just because I want to have already made up my mind.

Above are two examples where the MKIV appears to have an edge for my eye. Am I missing something?

take the same picture of a real person (not a photo) in a real environment, then take the raw files and try to recover the shadow data on each.

I think the mkiv compares closer to the old D810.


look at what happens compared to the old d810 when pushing an underexposed shot +5EV: Canon 5D Mark IV brings dramatic dynamic range improvements to the 5D line

Yes, you're right. A real world example is going to be more convincing than a lab test. I've had difficulty finding any evidence directly comparing these two cameras in a real world scenario.

Thank you for the link!

The stills specs of the Nikon are better, as are the hardware specs.

In real life I'd doubt many will find the canon 5d IV lacking in any area.

You're probably right. I guess it's a lot like two different televisions. Side by side there may be a difference, but no one is really watching them side by side in real life.

If you have the funds, by all means get the D850. Most of the time budgets are involved so we tend to try and save money for the OP.
I have a D850 waiting on me, after I fly home tonight.

No budget concerns here! I appreciate it. I simply want to make the purchase which gives me the absolute best and most capable tool in my hands.

That's very exciting! Please share some shots when you can! Portraits would be great, if that's something you do.

 

[davidharmier60]

Must be nice to have this problem.
10mp is right about where I'll start hopefully someday.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[Solarflare]

Must be nice to have this problem.
10mp is right about where I'll start hopefully someday.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Your phone camera can do 4K video and 16 Megapixel images.

 

[Dave442]

I would definitely recommend renting or using your camera store that lets you return product. Going to the D850 and 70-200mm lens from the D60 with a 50mm f/1.8 is a big step up in weight and your or your wife may find that the shots for the blog are not worth the workout you get with that new setup.

I also like the D500 as a camera for someone, including myself, that has been happy with a DX camera and just wants more resolution, dynamic range and ISO capability. However, if you want to start splitting eyelashes, then go with the D850. Sorry, don't know the Canon, but I do know that every time Canon comes out with something I want that Nikon answers within a couple years with something I want even more.

The D500 and D850 bodies are a step up from your D60, and just like that camera, they will work just as well 10 years from now as they do today.

 

[Frank F.]

One last note: the D500 is much better than the D850 when it comes to manual focus.

How so ?

The D850 has focus peaking, the D500 (or any other Nikon DSLR except the D850, or any Canon DSLR) does not.

In real life I'd doubt many will find the canon 5d IV lacking in any area.

It lacks in respect to reasons to get one over a 5D Mark III.

I want to use the optical viewfinder as a consistent working environment.
I can use live view on the display not without my glasses and I cannot use it in a portrait shooting to correct an AF mistake without taking the camera from my eyes. Does not make sense.

A better focussing screen will be the solution. I just do not understand why Nikon did not take the superb focussing screen from the D500/F6 for the D850???

 

[Frank F.]

Following your answer:

Nikkor lenses are superb and there are some Canon lenses that can match them.

If you are a Prime shooter the current and very current Nikkor 1.8-Series is stunning, the 1.4-Series even better but much more heavy and much more expensive.

The 1.8/85 and the 1.8/20 both exceptional

I also have the 1.8/50 which is better than the 1.4/50 which I used for many years.

The 24 offerings are both phantastic.

An there are the zooms

14-24 unmatched by any other company
24-70 genious, but the others are also very good
70-200 superb but others have similar
200-400 nono wait for next
200-500 very heavy but WOW, esp on the D500

The Tele Nikkors:

4/300PF a must have lens. It is phantastic on any camera!

2/200 unmatched

1.4/105 probably one of the best lenses in the world

 

[Frank F.]

PS. Try and test them is a very good idea. At friends. At the photo club. As rentals.

PPS: use XQD cards. They make a huge difference in performance and reliability

 

[Frank F.]

Nikon's sensor technology seems to be state of the art. D850 just hit 100 points:

Nikon D850 Sensor Review: First DSLR to hit 100 points - DxOMark

 

[goodguy]

Would like to share first time using my Nikon D850 in a more professional way, I shot a wedding yesterday with my two FX cameras, my new D850 blew me away! the focusing system on it is simply amazing, image quality is superb, the guy I was shooting with has a Canon 5DIV looked a bit jealous at me.
I plan to share my thoughts and experience more thoroughly when I learn the camera deeper but first impression is very, very positive.

 

[Frank F.]

You took a fast decision.

You jumped several generations of technology with your purchase, no wonder you were blown away!

You made a decision you will not regret. I am looking forward to seeing your pictures...

 

[DGMPhotography]

I didn't read the rest of the comments here, but reading the OP, it seems like you've already made a decision and just want us to convince you you're right. I do the same thing all the time.

Just go with the D850.