Nikon D50 vs Sony A850
64 Imaging
44 Features
39 Overall
42


54 Imaging
67 Features
60 Overall
64
Nikon D50 vs Sony A850 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 6MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 1600
- No Video
- Nikon F Mount
- 620g - 133 x 102 x 76mm
- Launched July 2005
- Later Model is Nikon D40X
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
- Released April 2010

Nikon D50 vs Sony A850 Overview
Following is a in depth overview of the Nikon D50 vs Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the D50 (6MP) and A850 (25MP) and the D50 (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) boast totally different sensor sizing.

The D50 was unveiled 5 years prior to the A850 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the D50 matches up against the A850 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon D50 vs Sony A850 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D50 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A850. The full galleries are provided at Nikon D50 Gallery & Sony A850 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D50 over the Sony A850
D50 | A850 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Nikon D50
A850 | D50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | April 2010 | ![]() | July 2005 | More modern by 57 months |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2" | Larger display (+1") |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 130k | Clearer display (+792k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D50 and Sony A850
D50 | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch display |
Nikon D50 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon D50 offers outside dimensions of 133mm x 102mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") along with a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs) and the Sony A850 has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).
Check the Nikon D50 vs Sony A850 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the D50 versus the A850.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D50 and A850 is 64 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D50 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes only by reading specifications. The pic underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the D50 and A850.
Plainly, the 2 cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The D50 having a tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Sony A850 will deliver extra detail having an extra 19 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged D50 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D50 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D50 vs Sony A850 Specifications
Nikon D50 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon D50 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2005-07-23 | 2010-04-15 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 23.7 x 15.5mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 367.4mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 6 megapixels | 25 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3008 x 2000 | 6048 x 4032 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 200 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 309 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 130 thousand dot | 922 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 98% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.5x | 0.74x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 11.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/500 seconds | 1/250 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Highest video resolution | None | None |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 620 grams (1.37 lbs) | 895 grams (1.97 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 133 x 102 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") | 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 55 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.9 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.8 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 560 | 1415 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 880 images |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL3 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 to 20 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 2 |
Launch cost | $499 | $0 |