When will D850 be replaced?

[LongTimeNikonUser]

I think it's time to upgrade my ancient (by digital camera standards) D3, but the D5 is too pricey and i would like something a bit smaller to lug around. The D850 seems like the obvious upgrade, but I know that there is a replacement coming.

I can afford to wait six months, maybe longer. I'll get either the replacement or else a D850 at a discounted price.

 

[lokatz]

I think it's time to upgrade my ancient (by digital camera standards) D3, but the D5 is too pricey and i would like something a bit smaller to lug around. The D850 seems like the obvious upgrade, but I know that there is a replacement coming.

I can afford to wait six months, maybe longer. I'll get either the replacement or else a D850 at a discounted price.

Let me make sure I get you right: you're hanging on to a model that was introduced 12 years ago and discontinued seven years ago because you THINK the D850, king of the hill in Nikon's portfolio and introduced merely two years ago, will get a replacement at some point.

I KNOW there's a replacement coming for pretty much EVERY camera in the market at some point. When that will be is left to speculation. There is no D850 replacement in sight, and I think Nikon would be foolish to tackle that any time soon. They've got more urgent upgrades to take care of, with a D5 replacement (announced but still vague) and D750 replacement near the top of that list. Not to mention that they need to continue expanding the Z line.

For my part, I cannot think of a single reason why I would want to wait for a D850 replacement, or what I would even want in a D850 replacement. Maybe except half the size and weight. ;-)

 

[shuncheung]

I think it's time to upgrade my ancient (by digital camera standards) D3, but the D5 is too pricey and i would like something a bit smaller to lug around. The D850 seems like the obvious upgrade, but I know that there is a replacement coming.

I can afford to wait six months, maybe longer. I'll get either the replacement or else a D850 at a discounted price.

Let me make sure I get you right: you're hanging on to a model that was introduced 12 years ago and discontinued seven years ago because you THINK the D850, king of the hill in Nikon's portfolio and introduced merely two years ago, will get a replacement at some point.

I KNOW there's a replacement coming for pretty much EVERY camera in the market at some point.

If you consider a future mirrorless body as a "replacement" for the D850, that maybe true, but given Nikon's emphasis in mirrorless, there might never be a DSLR replacement for the D850.

I bought my D750 back in 2014 when Nikon first introduced it. Fast forward 5 years, the D750 is still a "current" model although the discount is very deep by now. With so many used D750 available, new prices have to come way down to compete.

When that will be is left to speculation. There is no D850 replacement in sight, and I think Nikon would be foolish to tackle that any time soon. They've got more urgent upgrades to take care of, with a D5 replacement (announced but still vague) and D750 replacement near the top of that list. Not to mention that they need to continue expanding the Z line.

For my part, I cannot think of a single reason why I would want to wait for a D850 replacement, or what I would even want in a D850 replacement. Maybe except half the size and weight. ;-)

If one can wait, just keep waiting. I wouldn't expect any DSLR replacement for the D850 in the next 2, 3 years. Maybe never.

 

[James809]

I think it's time to upgrade my ancient (by digital camera standards) D3, but the D5 is too pricey and i would like something a bit smaller to lug around. The D850 seems like the obvious upgrade, but I know that there is a replacement coming.

I can afford to wait six months, maybe longer. I'll get either the replacement or else a D850 at a discounted price.

Soon.

 

[Vincent O'Sullivan]

I think it's time to upgrade my ancient (by digital camera standards) D3...

Why?

 

[LongTimeNikonUser]

I think it's time to upgrade my ancient (by digital camera standards) D3...

Why?

There is a scratch on the sensor, which is sometimes visible if I stop down enough. It's also heavier and more bulky than I like. Sometimes auto-focus takes a long time to work, and there is a lot of "hunting." Writing images to the flash card takes longer than it used to. I suspect some problem with the electronics.

Several places have told me that repair parts are no longer available for this camera, which seems surprising, but it is two generations behind the current model.

--
LongTimeNikonUser

 

[larrywilson]

I would just upgrade to the d850 (life is short). I am sure there will be an upgrade to the d850, but may be over the 6 months time. I don't think Nikon is going to discontinue the dslr's soon. The d850 is one of the best all around cameras.

Larry

 

[LongTimeNikonUser]

I would just upgrade to the d850 (life is short). I am sure there will be an upgrade to the d850, but may be over the 6 months time. I don't think Nikon is going to discontinue the dslr's soon. The d850 is one of the best all around cameras.

Larry

Sounds good. Now I have to get "signoff" from my "Chief Financial Officer."

 

[James809]

I think it's time to upgrade my ancient (by digital camera standards) D3...

Why?

There is a scratch on the sensor, which is sometimes visible if I stop down enough. It's also heavier and more bulky than I like. Sometimes auto-focus takes a long time to work, and there is a lot of "hunting." Writing images to the flash card takes longer than it used to. I suspect some problem with the electronics.

Several places have told me that repair parts are no longer available for this camera, which seems surprising, but it is two generations behind the current model.

Another question: do you need to go from whatever the MP count for the D3 to 36mp? There;s not much the D850 does that the D810 doesn't, and it'll be an easier sell to you CFO if you show you're willing to "give something up" even if it's on paper.

 

[LongTimeNikonUser]

Another question: do you need to go from whatever the MP count for the D3 to 36mp? There;s not much the D850 does that the D810 doesn't, and it'll be an easier sell to you CFO if you show you're willing to "give something up" even if it's on paper.

Interesting point, so I did a quick comparison of the price and specs for the D810 and the D850. On B&H Photo, the price difference is less than I thought, only $300.

However, the ISO sensitivity of the D850 is one stop greater, and for me, low light photography is important. Metering range is wider on both ends. Also the processor in the D850 is a newer generation, and the D850 has more auto-focus points than the D810. Video for me is a non-issue.

So my "give something up" is a D6, at probably $6500, compared to less than half that for the D850. :-D

 

[shuncheung]

Another question: do you need to go from whatever the MP count for the D3 to 36mp? There;s not much the D850 does that the D810 doesn't, and it'll be an easier sell to you CFO if you show you're willing to "give something up" even if it's on paper.

The D3 (and D700) is 12MP, the D800/D810 36MP and the D850 is 46MP. 36MP or more may indeed be an overkill for the OP, but the D850 can do a lot more than the D810. The AF system is now the best among Nikon DSLRs. You can shoot 4K video with the entire width of the sensor. Memory card is the latest XQD and soon to be compatible with CFx ....

 

[Schrodingers_cat]

.... is two years. And that's based on pretty much nothing.

I'm thinking that the D850 right now would be a good move for most people with aging cameras. Having said that however, I've still got a D3x I kept along with my D850 and a couple o other bodies.

 

[patriot07]

I would just upgrade to the d850 (life is short). I am sure there will be an upgrade to the d850, but may be over the 6 months time. I don't think Nikon is going to discontinue the dslr's soon. The d850 is one of the best all around cameras.

Larry

Sounds good. Now I have to get "signoff" from my "Chief Financial Officer."

I can relate to this.

Personally, I think the D850 is the best do-it-all camera in existence and will be for a long time to come. My only negative comment about it is the lack of a built-in flash, which I think is stupid. I use it outdoors for fill flash all the time. Other than that, it takes Nikon's top two consumer lineups and obsoletes nearly everything in both of them, all in one body. Can't ask for too much more.

When I get CFO permission to replace my D600, I'll be going to a D850 for sure.

 

[Montanawildlives]

I think it's time to upgrade my ancient (by digital camera standards) D3...

Why?

There is a scratch on the sensor, which is sometimes visible if I stop down enough. It's also heavier and more bulky than I like. Sometimes auto-focus takes a long time to work, and there is a lot of "hunting." Writing images to the flash card takes longer than it used to. I suspect some problem with the electronics.

Several places have told me that repair parts are no longer available for this camera, which seems surprising, but it is two generations behind the current model.

Another question: do you need to go from whatever the MP count for the D3 to 36mp? There;s not much the D850 does that the D810 doesn't, and it'll be an easier sell to you CFO if you show you're willing to "give something up" even if it's on paper.

Hmmmmm. Also focus stacking. I want to move up from Fuji to Nikon but it will have to be the d850 because I couldn't do without focus stacking for my macro work. It's useful but not mandatory for landscape photography, but for 40 or 50 or 60 frame macro shots it's a godsend.

 

[gnet158]

Wait a few months, the D5 will start flooding the market in anticipation for the D6. Or if you can't wait, D4 or D4s? Or a D800/D800E. I just picked up an E for steal with only 10k, sold my D850 for a profit as I had too much $$$ tided up in it. Great camera but I'll wait until the D860 comes out to see if it's worth the $$$ over the D850.

I also picked up a mint D3 for a steal with only 36,xxx on the clock so I have a high rez and speedy cameras when needed.

 

[threw the lens]

Never buy a new camera body unless you have to.

They all plunge in value in the end.

If you have a job that needs a new camera, get it at that point?

If anyone is worried about blowing money, the advice is to stay out of high end photography or buying sports teams

 

[primeshooter]

I think it's time to upgrade my ancient (by digital camera standards) D3, but the D5 is too pricey and i would like something a bit smaller to lug around. The D850 seems like the obvious upgrade, but I know that there is a replacement coming.

I can afford to wait six months, maybe longer. I'll get either the replacement or else a D850 at a discounted price.

It may not be updated for years' or never. If you are a stills shooter which you seem to be, there really is nothing to update anyway. This camera will not leave you wanting. It's a fantastic, refined machine which benefits from decades of DSLR and film camera development.

I saw your post about the greater high ISO of the 850 etc. Honestly bar a few items such as a touch screen and a bit better AF the 810 is a fantastic beast also. I use it alongside the 850 all the time.

 

[DeathArrow]

I think it's time to upgrade my ancient (by digital camera standards) D3...

Why?

There is a scratch on the sensor, which is sometimes visible if I stop down enough. It's also heavier and more bulky than I like. Sometimes auto-focus takes a long time to work, and there is a lot of "hunting." Writing images to the flash card takes longer than it used to. I suspect some problem with the electronics.

Several places have told me that repair parts are no longer available for this camera, which seems surprising, but it is two generations behind the current model.

There;s not much the D850 does that the D810 doesn't

For me there's a lot that D850 does better and I'm interested in: better low light performance, better AF, faster frame rate. I even dislike the high resolution.

 

[DeathArrow]

Wait a few months, the D5 will start flooding the market in anticipation for the D6.

I won't bet on that. Now the medium asking price on e-bay is $4000. How low they can get? Maybe $3500. Not exactly cheap. Used D850 are $2000.

 

[lickity split]

I think it's time to upgrade my ancient (by digital camera standards) D3, but the D5 is too pricey and i would like something a bit smaller to lug around. The D850 seems like the obvious upgrade, but I know that there is a replacement coming.

I can afford to wait six months, maybe longer. I'll get either the replacement or else a D850 at a discounted price.

Let me make sure I get you right: you're hanging on to a model that was introduced 12 years ago and discontinued seven years ago because you THINK the D850, king of the hill in Nikon's portfolio and introduced merely two years ago, will get a replacement at some point.

I KNOW there's a replacement coming for pretty much EVERY camera in the market at some point. When that will be is left to speculation. There is no D850 replacement in sight, and I think Nikon would be foolish to tackle that any time soon. They've got more urgent upgrades to take care of, with a D5 replacement (announced but still vague) and D750 replacement near the top of that list. Not to mention that they need to continue expanding the Z line.

For my part, I cannot think of a single reason why I would want to wait for a D850 replacement, or what I would even want in a D850 replacement. Maybe except half the size and weight. ;-)

It’ll be replaced late 2020 or early 2021