Nikon D850
full-frame DSLR · 2017
Canon EOS R5 Mark II
45 MP stacked · 8K60 RAW · AI detection
Canon EOS R5 Mark II takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Nikon D850 lands at 88 and Canon EOS R5 Mark II at 95. That puts Canon EOS R5 Mark II ahead by 7 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Nikon D850 if…
- ✓Mature system, great used market
- ✓Proven lens lineup
- ✓Often on sale
Pick Canon EOS R5 Mark II if…
- ✓8K 60p RAW internal recording
- ✓Next-gen AI subject detection (5,850 AF points, 100% coverage)
- ✓Up to 30 fps electronic burst
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPhoto
Canon EOS R5 Mark IICompared on the photo sub-score
Canon EOS R5 Mark II leads on photo (96 vs 88).
Autofocus
Canon EOS R5 Mark IICompared on the autofocus sub-score
Canon EOS R5 Mark II leads on autofocus (98 vs 84).
Ergonomics
Canon EOS R5 Mark IICompared on the ergonomics sub-score
Canon EOS R5 Mark II leads on ergonomics (92 vs 86).
Value for money
Nikon D850Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Nikon D850 more score per dollar ($3,299 vs $4,299).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Nikon D850 | Canon EOS R5 Mark II |
|---|---|---|
| Format | full-frame DSLR | — |
| Release year | 2017 | — |
| Sensor | — | 45 MP BSI stacked CMOS |
| Mount | — | Canon RF |
| Burst | — | 12 fps mechanical / 30 fps electronic |
| Video | — | 8K 60p RAW · 4K 120p |
| AF | — | 5,850 user-selectable points, 100% coverage |
| ISO | — | 100–51200 (exp. 50–102400) |
| Stabilization | — | 5-axis IBIS |
Nikon D850
- +Mature system, great used market
- +Proven lens lineup
- +Often on sale
- −Older AF system
- −Heavier than modern mirrorless
- −Firmware updates trailed off
Canon EOS R5 Mark II
- +8K 60p RAW internal recording
- +Next-gen AI subject detection (5,850 AF points, 100% coverage)
- +Up to 30 fps electronic burst
- −Price jumped from R5
- −Body heats in extended 8K recording
- −Battery life modest
FAQ: Nikon D850 vs Canon EOS R5 Mark II
Which is better, Nikon D850 or Canon EOS R5 Mark II? +
Canon EOS R5 Mark II scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 7. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Nikon D850 worth the price? +
At $3,299, Nikon D850 delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in photo.
Is Canon EOS R5 Mark II worth the price? +
At $4,299, Canon EOS R5 Mark II delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in autofocus.
Does Nikon D850 or Canon EOS R5 Mark II last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for photo, Nikon D850 or Canon EOS R5 Mark II? +
Canon EOS R5 Mark II — leads on photo (96 vs 88). Compared on the photo sub-score.
Which is better for autofocus, Nikon D850 or Canon EOS R5 Mark II? +
Canon EOS R5 Mark II — leads on autofocus (98 vs 84). Compared on the autofocus sub-score.