Photographer and YouTube content creator Thomas Heaton has been testing different cameras, looking to replace his Canon 5D Mark IV. In his most recent video, he gets some surprising results when testing the Nikon D850.
He claims the Nikon D850 is a clear winner in resolution tests, both on screen and in test prints. This isn't a particularly surprising result, given the 15+ megapixel advantage of the D850. The resolution differences, even after YouTube's heavy compression, are still visible in fine details like the fence line in his sample image. The resolution test doesn't go very in-depth, as he doesn't mention test results for different apertures, focal lengths, or classes of lenses- but given his very positive attitude to D850's performance, I expect he was satisfied with the performance.
Moving on to dynamic range, Thomas tests the two cameras under identical settings, in a strongly backlit forest scene. Here is where Thomas breaks with the typical view of this camera matchup he declares the Canon a clear winner in dynamic range. He thinks the foreground's boosted details are muddy in the Nikon, and points out the "sharper" Canon image.
I think there are a few issues with this test, including weather conditions, exposure settings, and post processing. Weather and exposure are intrinsically linked, and in this test, Thomas kept all the settings between the cameras identical. This would put the D850 at a disadvantage, as it is not being used at its strongest base ISO. Further, if the lightning conditions changed between shots, the exposures may be even less comparable. Finally, a number of comments pointed out that the lens may either be a bad copy, subject to shake, or focus was missed on the Nikon shot, all potentially contributing to the poor performance.
Thomas mentions he still has a number of cameras to review, and that the D850 is a competent contender. It sounds like he is a bit unsure of the Nikon given its apparent disappointing dynamic range, but even he mentions something may be off about the testing.
I haven't shot with a D850 yet, as I use a D810, but even given my older generation body, I've seen much more impressive shadow and highlight recovery from my files. I'm pretty surprised at the results. What do you think? Have you been surprised by a piece of gear before?
Hey guys Thomas knows what a malleable file is and how far he can push it agreed? So he doesn't like the Nikon file I noticed in the video he using Nikon glass so maybe the lens is crapped out. Anyway I had several camera I just didn't get on with for one reason or another. Again for the cost of the camera being so cheap its bewildering why anyone would get so wigged out about a camera body. Get great glass and shoot on HAPPY mode.
I followed Thomas's channel a long time ago. In the comments of the video about the Nikon D850 posted by Thomas several people, including me, we asked why not to use 64 ISO and which lens used? Obscure silence.
No single word.
I have a Nikon D850 and I have already clicked more than 80,000 images with it. I made images under the same conditions as Thomas's video and even worse. The results obtained by Thomas are simply ridiculous.
Faced with the lack of information and silence of Thomas I come to think that there is some commercial game behind these videos.
I've also been with Canon 5D mjark IV and Nikon D850 files on hand to compare and there is no way the results are as presented by Thomas in your video.
These results contradict everything and everyone who has experienced the cameras in question.
Thomas makes clear in his video that this was not a lab test, it was just a result that may or not be accurate and it certainly could not be described as a thorough test. He admits that it is just one photo that did not seem too good. That's all that the video put across and so no credance should be given to the comments. It's no big thing.
I think he forgot to turn off the VR on Nikon lens.
Will this guy ever be happy? All cameras have a compromise somewhere.
Lol, the only thing funny here is Fstoppers giving this guy exposure. Not true, and a terrible test and bait whorish review.
Dear Thomas, Please just do a test/comparison without shots of your Apple computer and spending
more than 5 Min. for nothing important. If the Canon 5D IV and the D850 are "Equal and Fair" then you should test the Canon 50 MPs 5DSR. What you are actually saying is that you have chosen the wrong camera for many years.
Why so many MAYBEs... Canon is one of the best and Nikon is WHAT? Flip...Flop. Why not tell us about "It depends on the lenses..." before. You probably shouldn't be testing these cameras. Are you saying that, maybe YOU ARE A CRAP PHOTOGRAPHER. HUH? It is fun for you to get cameras to use for free, but not so much fun for us.
People will watch anything these days. This dudes videos contain no substance at all. I guess its one of those lifestyle things.
Until I read this detailed comparison, my take was that any photographer who wanted the very best that a camera could possibly offer, would need to have BOTH of these cameras during photoscapades (because of the few things that the Canon has which the Nikon lacks, and obviously for the many things that the Nikon has which the Canon lacks). This is the only way to have one's cake and eat it.
Now however, I'm beginning to think that the Nikon is better off enough for the discerning camera connoisseur to want to take a pass on having the Canon in the toolbag.
What do you all think (let me know in your comments). By the way, I'm a novice still trying to learn the ropes and take my Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ camera cluster to its limits before going for one or both of these cameras.