DSLRs are dead? The Nikon D850 didn’t get the Memo, and it's got $650 discount!

(Image credit: Future)

There’s a certain satisfaction in seeing a legend refuse to fade away, and right now the Nikon D850 is doing exactly that.

This full-frame DSLR powerhouse is now just $1,996.95, down from $2,596.95, saving you a massive $600 off its original retail price.

In a market obsessed with the next mirrorless release, this deal feels almost rebellious - and frankly, it deserves attention.

For years, the Nikon D850 has been the camera that photographers quietly compare everything else against. Its 45.7-megapixel sensor still delivers stunning detail, dynamic range, and color depth that many modern mirrorless bodies struggle to better in real-world use. Landscape shooters, studio photographers, and professionals who demand files that hold up under scrutiny know exactly why this camera earned its reputation.

We keep hearing that DSLRs are “dead,” but it’s hard to take that claim seriously when a camera like the D850 still competes with the best mirrorless models on the market. Fast, accurate autofocus, excellent subject tracking, and a shooting experience that feels deliberate rather than distracted – it’s a camera built for photographers who care about the craft as much as the outcome.

There’s also something refreshingly honest about the D850’s design. No menus bloated with half-used video tools, no reliance on electronic viewfinders if you don’t want them – just a bright optical viewfinder, rock-solid ergonomics, and controls that fall exactly where seasoned shooters expect them to be. It’s a working photographer’s camera in the truest sense.

At this price, the value proposition becomes impossible to ignore. For less than $2,000, you’re getting image quality and build quality that comfortably rival mirrorless bodies costing far more. Spend the savings on premium glass, lighting, or travel, and arguably improve your photography more than chasing the latest body ever could.

Battery life is another quiet win here. While mirrorless shooters juggle spares and chargers, the Nikon D850 just keeps going. For long shoots, travel, wildlife sessions, or weddings, that reliability matters far more than headline specs, and it’s something DSLRs still do exceptionally well.

The Nikon D850 doesn’t feel like a relic – it feels like a reminder. A reminder that great cameras don’t stop being great just because the industry shifts direction. At this price, it’s not just a smart buy; it’s a statement that performance, durability, and photographic integrity still matter.

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For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and holds a Master of Arts in Publishing. He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since his film days using a Nikon F5. He saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still, to this day, the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, the British Equestrian Writers' Association.

He is familiar with and shows great interest in 35mm, medium, and large-format photography, using products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2, shooting Street/Documentary photography as he sees it, usually in Black and White.

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