Tag Archives: camera tests

Nikon D850: High ISO Samples

Nikon D850 High ISO Performance Tests

Nikon D850 High ISO Image
My test scene for Nikon D850 high-iso images

The Nikon D850 DSLR camera not only produces 45-megapixel images perfect for landscapes and studio work, but its fast frame rate makes it potentially appealing for sports and action photographers. In sports and action photography, shutter speed is critical, and that means being able to push the camera ISO well above its base value. I decided to do some Nikon D850 high ISO testing to see how it fares.

Watch: Nikon D850 unboxing video

The Nikon D850 has a base ISO of 64, but you can expand it up to 25,800. Beyond that, you can push the ISO two full stops (Hi 1 and Hi 2 settings) to get corresponding ISO values of 51,200 and 102,400, respectively. Nikon uses the “Hi” nomenclature to denote sensitivities that are not truly “in-spec” and in accordance with the ISO standard.

Nevertheless, we push our gear, so I captured a  sequence of shots from ISO 1600 through Hi-2 (102,400). Continue reading Nikon D850: High ISO Samples

Quick Test: D850 Dynamic Range

D850 Dynamic Range Example

Nikon D850 Dynamic Range Test
A slightly backlit, pre-dawn shot of my backyard, mimicking conditions one typically finds on landscape shoots. Let’s see how much detail I can pull out of the shadows…

I grabbed a quick backyard test shot this morning to test the Nikon D850 dynamic range. This is not a scientific test; instead it is simply a photo I captured using settings and conditions that I typically encounter in the field while leading my landscape photo safaris. With the D850 adding nearly 10 more megapixels than the Nikon D810, there was some question as to how well the new sensor would deliver in the dynamic range department. For most Nikon shooters I know, we are less interested in having more megapixels than we are in having the ability to capture wide tone ranges in the field. Continue reading Quick Test: D850 Dynamic Range