Nikon D850

Manufacturer: Nikon
Type: camera — full-frame DSLR (FX)
Year introduced: 2017
Sensor: 45.7MP back-side illuminated (BSI) CMOS (Nikon FX-format)
Image processor: EXPEED 5
Autofocus: 153-point Multi-CAM 20K (99 cross-type), same as Nikon D5 and D500
Key specs: 4K UHD full-frame video (30p), 7fps (9fps with MB-D18 grip), ISO 64–25,600 (expandable to ISO 32–102,400), silent shutter mode, focus shift/stacking, 8K time-lapse, 0.75x viewfinder magnification, tilting 3.2” touchscreen, dual card slots (XQD + SD UHS-II)
Price at launch: $3,299.95 (US)
Predecessor: Nikon D810

Overview

The Nikon D850 is a 45.7-megapixel full-frame DSLR released in 2017, widely regarded as Nikon’s landmark camera and a culmination of DSLR technology. Development was announced on July 25, 2017 — coinciding with Nikon’s 100th anniversary — when the company teased it as “the next frontier in full-frame, high-resolution, high-speed SLR cameras” (^[1]). Full specifications were revealed on August 23, 2017, with availability in September (^[2]).

The D850 was Nikon’s first DSLR with a back-side illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, allowing it to achieve a maximum standard sensitivity of ISO 25,600 despite the high pixel count. It inherited the ISO 64 base sensitivity from the D810, which was crucial for sunball capture in underwater wide-angle photography. Combined with the 153-point Multi-CAM 20K autofocus system from the professional D5, the camera broke the traditional DSLR trade-off between resolution and speed (^[3]).

The camera was also Nikon’s first DSLR to support full-frame 4K UHD (3840x2160) video recording at 30p from the entire sensor width — previous Nikon DSLRs had cropped the sensor significantly when capturing 4K. It additionally offered 4x and 5x slow-motion in Full HD and could create 8K time-lapse videos from its still images (^[4]). Nikon later released a dedicated D850 Filmmaker’s Kit in March 2018, bundling the body with three prime lenses, an Atomos Ninja Flame recorder, and microphones for $5,499.95 (^[5]).

At Nikon’s Professional Roadshow in February 2019, Nikon’s Rob MacNeice called the D850 “the best SLR you can buy,” while also noting that mirrorless was “the future” and development resources would likely shift accordingly (^[6]). Respected commentator Thom Hogan echoed this assessment, stating the D850 “remains the best DSLR you can buy” (^[7]).

Significance for Underwater Photography

The D850 became one of the most important cameras in the underwater photography community for several reasons:

• Resolution without compromise: The 45.7MP BSI sensor delivered exceptional dynamic range and detail for wide-angle reef scenery while maintaining usable high-ISO performance for low-light and cave photography. Reviewer Jack Connick noted that “you can easily shoot at ISO 2000 or above with no issues” and that it made “shooting in caves, or dark situations easily achievable with just available light” (^[8]).

• Professional autofocus: The Multi-CAM 20K AF system, shared only with the D5 and D500, provided 153 focus points (99 cross-type) linked to a 180K-pixel RGB metering sensor. This combination was widely regarded as the best Nikon had ever produced (^[9]). On the full-frame D850, the AF points covered less of the sensor than on the DX-format D500, but performance was still exceptional (^[10]).

• Lens calibration sensitivity: The ultra-high resolution was less forgiving of lens quality and focus accuracy than previous models. Jack Connick found that “even with my wide angle Sigma 15mm FE lens, with a huge depth of field, a couple of small adjustments made a big difference in picture quality” — AF fine-tune calibration was essential for each lens (^[11]).

• Dome port demands: The high resolution exposed optical shortcomings more readily. Mid-range zoom lenses that could be “cheated” with smaller dome ports on the D800 now required full-size 230mm glass domes for acceptable corner quality. Alex Mustard cited the D850’s 46MP resolution as a key argument for water-contact optics like the Nauticam WACP over traditional dome ports (^[12]).

• Photogrammetry capability: The combination of high resolution and the WACP made the D850 an effective tool for underwater photogrammetry. Adam Hanlon used a D850 with a Nikon 28-70mm and Nauticam WACP for cave photogrammetry surveys in Mexico’s cenotes (^[13]).

Housing Availability

The D850 generated a notably rapid housing ecosystem, with six major manufacturers delivering housings within three months of the camera’s release. Initial demand for the camera body itself outstripped supply — Jack Connick had to rent a body from LensRentals.com for his first trip (^[14]).

Nauticam NA-D850

Announced October 6, 2017, shipping October 16, 2017. Price: $3,800. The NA-D850 used an integrated LED flash triggering system (shared with NA-D5 and NA-D500) powered by two CR2032 batteries with an estimated 50,000-exposure lifespan. The housing was noticeably smaller and lighter than the NA-D800 — one full pound lighter — because the D850 eliminated the pop-up flash, removing the tall “bell” from the housing design. Key features included a redesigned AF-mode lever for easy switching between 3D Tracking, Auto Area AF, and Single Area modes; a double thumb lever for playback and Fn2; four assignable function buttons accessible from the handles; integrated vacuum monitoring (standard); and a 100m depth rating. Weight: 3.07 kg. An optional TTL converter (PN 26308) supported both optical and electrical strobe triggering (^[15]).

The NA-D850 was also shown at DEMA 2017, the ^[16], and boot 2019 (^[17], ^[18]).

Jack Connick’s review praised the housing’s improved controls and electronic strobe capabilities, noting the TTL board was “quite accurate — better than what I was used to when I had used the D800’s onboard flash,” though it underexposed high-contrast scenes like overhangs against bright sky (^[19]).

Ikelite 200DL

Shipped October 25, 2017. Price: $1,695. The 200DL introduced Ikelite’s new Dry Lock (DL) port system, replacing the older Four Lock (FL) system. It was made of Ikelite’s proprietary white ABS-PC blend construction, included a vacuum valve as standard, and featured redesigned curved shutter and AF-ON levers. Flash triggering was via electrical sync cord (manual mode), with optional TTL available using the NT2 hotshoe and Ikelite DS-series strobes. Depth rating: 200 feet (60m). Weight: 4.9 lb (2.2 kg). Notably, fiber optic-only strobes were not compatible with this housing (^[20]).

Subal ND850

Announced October 25, 2017, shipping from November 15, 2017. Price: EUR 3,490 (export). Subal described it as lighter than 90% of their previous housings, with full ergonomic button and lever access. Compatible with all existing Subal ports and gears. Strobe triggering via electrical or fiber optic connections, including compatibility with the Subal TTL V2 system (^[21]).

In February 2018, Subal released the ND850LE limited edition (30 units only) celebrating Nikon’s centenary, featuring a special yellow color with black aluminum control dials and a three-layer powder coating finish. Price: EUR 3,990 (^[22]).

Alex Mustard used a Subal ND850 extensively for his professional work, including his 2019 field review of ONEUW 160x strobes in the Red Sea and his 2022 EMWL 160-degree lens review in British Columbia (^[23], ^[24]).

Sea & Sea MDX-D850

Shipped November 13, 2017. The MDX-D850 was precision machined with an 11% weight saving (350g/12.3oz) over the MDX-D810. Both main and sub command dials were placed on the right-hand side of the housing with lever access to ISO and Record controls. Depth rating: 100m (330ft). Weight: approx. 2,850g. All dials had spring dampers to prevent slippage. Compatible with the Optical YS Converter/N1 for TTL, built-in leak sensor, and luminescent control stickers. First shown at DEMA 2017 (^[25]).

Aquatica AD850

Shipped December 22, 2017. Price: $2,895. Machined on Aquatica’s new 5-axis milling machine, achieving a 12% weight reduction over the AD800/AD810 housings while maintaining the same form factor and control layout as the popular AD500 housing. Featured self-aligning controls (spring-loaded on/off lever and live view selector), a redesigned AF-ON lever positioned lower and more forward for smaller hands, and a low-profile ISO lever. Depth rating: 90m standard, upgradeable to 130m at no extra charge. Available with dual optical, dual Nikonos, or single Ikelite connector options. Included Surveyor moisture alarm and vacuum monitoring sensor as standard (^[26]).

In May 2020, Aquatica revised its pricing strategy with a 20% discount, reducing the AD850 from $3,131 to $2,425 (^[27]).

Seacam Silver D850

Announced March 5, 2018. The Silver D850 was milled from saltwater-proof light metal alloy, twice hardened and anodized. Featured a titanium safety lock fastening system, interchangeable viewfinder system (4 options, tool-free), 5 M16 ports for strobe triggering or accessories, and a combined lever accessing ISO and AF-ON with the left thumb. Depth rating: 80m (deeper on request). Dimensions: 260 x 190 x 130mm. Weight: 2,750g excluding port and viewfinder (^[28]).

Nimar PRO NID850

Announced February 15, 2018. Price: EUR 1,750. Constructed of aluminum and resin, the Nimar PRO housing was a budget option with 3 M14 ports and 1 M16, supplied with a sync cable bulkhead, and offered optional compatibility with other manufacturers’ port systems (^[29]).

Isotta D850

Shown at ADEX 2018. Italian manufacturer Isotta exhibited their D850 housing at the Asia Dive Expo alongside housings for the Panasonic GH5 and Olympus TG5 (^[30]).

EasyDive Leo3

The EasyDive Leo3 universal housing system also listed the Nikon D850 as compatible (^[31]).

Reviews & Discussion

• ^[32] (June 2018) — The most comprehensive underwater review, covering 60+ dives in Fiji, Yap, and Palau. Connick praised the camera as “much faster, shoots easier, and has improved functionality with just plain incredible IQ all the way around” and called it “the upgrade that everyone has been waiting for.” He tested lenses including the Sigma 15mm fisheye, Nikon 8-15mm fisheye, Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8, and Nikon 105mm VR macro. Key findings: the Nikon 8-15mm FE was “the go-to lens for close focus wide angle shots”; the Sigma 15mm FE with Kenko 1.4x teleconverter was disappointing due to thin depth of field at 45MP; mid-range zooms required a full 230mm dome (170mm was inadequate); and the D850 was “one of the first cameras where I liked to shoot in group AF” with AF-C continuous focus. Article (editorial source).

• ^[33] (May 2018) — Underwater imaging retailer Backscatter published a detailed video comparison, with CEO Jim Decker testing both cameras in Roatan and Little Cayman. This comparison captured the emerging DSLR-vs-mirrorless debate. Article (editorial source).

• ^[34] (September 2017) — Mustard cited the D850’s 46MP resolution as motivating the case for water-contact optics over dome ports, arguing that traditional domes could not deliver adequate quality at such resolutions. Article (editorial source).

• ^[35] (February 2019) — Silcock owned a D850 for landscape photography and considered upgrading underwater but concluded the D500 still met his needs. He acknowledged the D850’s “dynamic range and overall functionality” but noted cost and the strength of the D500’s DX AF coverage as factors. Article (editorial source).

• ^[36] (February 2023) — In reviewing the Sony a7R V as a mirrorless successor, Mustard reflected: “In their pomp, I’d have happily said that the Nikon D850 and D500 were both excellent in every area of being an underwater camera.” He switched to Sony but acknowledged the D850’s benchmark status. Article (editorial source).

• ^[37] (April 2022) — When asked about switching from D850 to Z9 for underwater, Hanlon replied: “The short answer is not yet…it is a great camera, but the combination of limited lens choices, along with AF that is not as good as D850, means that it has little appeal for me underwater.” Article with comments.

• ^[38] (July 2019) — Mustard used his D850 in a Subal ND850 housing throughout this review in the Red Sea, providing detailed exposure settings. He noted that he “could not get the iTTL to work with my Nikon D850 and housing combination.” Article (editorial source).

• ^[39] (September 2020) — Alex Mustard discussed his camera history from a Minolta Weathermatic film camera through to the Nikon D850, providing context for the D850 as the culmination of his DSLR journey. Article (editorial source).

Competition Use

The Nikon D850 became a favored camera among competition-winning underwater photographers:

• Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2019 — Multiple winning images in the underwater category were shot on D850s, including work with the Nikon 28-70mm + Nauticam WACP and the Nikon 60mm macro, in both Subal and Seacam housings (^[40]).

• Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021 — Winners used D850s with diverse setups: a Trioplan 100mm f/2.8 lens in a Subal housing with Retra strobes, and a Sigma 15mm f/2.8 in a Nauticam housing with Ikelite DS161 strobes (^[41]).

Community Discussion

• D500 vs D850? (61 replies) — Community debate comparing the D500 and D850 for underwater use, weighing DX crop-factor reach and AF coverage against FX resolution and low-light performance. (forum thread, topic 60626)
• Best wide angle lens for Nikon D850 in Nauticam housing (32 replies) — Practical discussion of wide-angle lens options including the Sigma fisheye, Nikon 14-24mm, and Tokina 10-17mm with the D850’s 45.7MP sensor. (forum thread, topic 61325)
• Nikon D850 — discuss! (19 replies) — Immediate community reaction to the D850 specs, particularly the 45.7MP BSI sensor, ISO 64 base, and 7fps burst rate. (forum thread, topic 60524)
• Camera choice: Nikon D850 vs Z7 (15 replies) — Late-era DSLR vs mirrorless debate, with users weighing the D850’s maturity and proven AF against the Z7’s mirrorless advantages. (forum thread, topic 63598)

Legacy and Context

The D850 represented the pinnacle of Nikon DSLR development. Within a year of its release, Nikon announced the Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras (August 2018), signaling the company’s shift away from DSLR development (^[42]). At the 2019 Nikon Professional Roadshow, Nikon explicitly stated that mirrorless was “the future,” likely meaning development resources would move away from DSLRs (^[43]).

Despite this, the D850 remained the preferred choice for many underwater professionals well into the mirrorless era. Adam Hanlon stated in 2022 that the Z9’s AF “is not as good as D850” for underwater work (^[44]). Alex Mustard continued using the D850 through at least 2022 before switching to Sony (^[45], ^[46]).

The Nikon D780, released in January 2020, borrowed features from the D850 including the tilting touchscreen and focus shift/stacking capability, but was positioned as a mid-range body rather than a successor (^[47]).

Sea & Sea later developed vacuum monitoring systems compatible with the MDX-D850 and other MDX housings (^[48]), and UW Technics shipped TTL boards for Nikon cameras including the D850 in Aquatica housings, adding HSS (high-speed synchronization) support (^[49]).

Timeline

• 2017-07-25: Nikon announces development of D850, coinciding with Nikon’s 100th anniversary (^[50])
• 2017-08-23: Full specifications revealed; camera priced at $3,299.95, available September 2017 (^[51])
• 2017-09-28: Alex Mustard’s WACP review cites D850’s resolution as argument for water-contact optics (^[52])
• 2017-10-06: Nauticam announces NA-D850, $3,800, shipping October 16 (^[53])
• 2017-10-24: NA-D850 displayed at UK Dive Show 2017 (^[54])
• 2017-10-25: Ikelite ships 200DL housing, $1,695 (^[55])
• 2017-10-25: Subal announces ND850 housing, EUR 3,490, shipping from November 15 (^[56])
• 2017-11-02: Multiple D850 housings exhibited at DEMA 2017 (^[57])
• 2017-11-13: Sea & Sea ships MDX-D850, 11% lighter than MDX-D810 (^[58])
• 2017-12-22: Aquatica ships AD850, $2,895, 12% lighter than AD800/D810 housings (^[59])
• 2018-02-15: Nimar announces PRO NID850 housing, EUR 1,750 (^[60])
• 2018-02-22: Subal releases ND850LE limited edition (30 units), yellow/black, EUR 3,990 (^[61])
• 2018-03-05: Seacam announces Silver D850 housing, 80m depth rating (^[62])
• 2018-03-20: Nikon releases D850 Filmmaker’s Kit, $5,499.95 (^[63])
• 2018-04-16: Isotta D850 housing shown at ADEX 2018 (^[64])
• 2018-05-30: Backscatter publishes D850 vs Sony a7R III underwater comparison (^[65])
• 2018-06-27: Jack Connick publishes comprehensive D850/NA-D850 review after 60+ dives (^[66])
• 2019-02-15: Nikon calls D850 “the best SLR you can buy” at Professional Roadshow (^[67])
• 2019-07-10: Alex Mustard uses D850/Subal ND850 for ONEUW strobe review (^[68])
• 2019-10-23: D850 used by multiple winners at WPotY 2019 (^[69])
• 2020-01-06: Adam Hanlon uses D850 + WACP for cave photogrammetry in Mexico (^[70])
• 2020-05-08: Aquatica reduces AD850 price to $2,425 (20% off) (^[71])
• 2020-07: Wetpixel Live Episode 15, “Full Frame vs Cropped Sensor,” discusses the D850 as the benchmark full-frame option versus cropped-sensor cameras like the D500 (^[72])
• 2020-09-03: Alex Mustard discusses D850 as culmination of his camera journey on Wetpixel Live (^[73])
• 2020-12: Wetpixel Live Episode 112, “Changing from Cropped to Full Frame,” provides guidance for photographers upgrading from DX cameras to the D850 or similar full-frame bodies (^[74])
• 2021-10-12: D850 used by WPotY 2021 winners with Subal and Nauticam housings (^[75])
• 2022-04-12: Adam Hanlon states Z9 AF “not as good as D850” for underwater (^[76])
• 2022-09-25: Alex Mustard still using D850 for EMWL 160-degree lens review (^[77])
• 2023-02-04: Mustard switches to Sony a7R V, reflecting on D850 era (^[78])

References

Wetpixel Live