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Nikon D500 vs Sony A850

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Nikon D500 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Revealed January 2016
  • Succeeded the Nikon D300S
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Launched April 2010
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Nikon D500 vs Sony A850 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Nikon D500 vs Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the D500 (21MP) and the A850 (25MP) is pretty similar but the D500 (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor size.

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The D500 was revealed 5 years after the A850 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the D500 scores against the A850 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Sony A850

 D500 A850 
LaunchedJanuary 2016April 2010Newer by 70 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2359k922kSharper screen (+1437k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Nikon D500

 A850 D500 

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Sony A850

 D500 A850 
Focus manually More exact focus
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon D500 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera, you have to factor its weight and size. The Nikon D500 features exterior dimensions of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") and a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) whilst the Sony A850 has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D500 vs Sony A850 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the D500 compared to the A850.

Nikon D500 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the D500 and A850 is 56 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing technical specs. The pic here may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D500 and A850.

As you have seen, both cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The D500 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony A850 will offer you more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The younger D500 provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D500 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D500
Portrait photography with Sony A850
79
focusing manually
good resolution (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW files
72
you can focus manually
resolution is high (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D500 Street photography factors
Sony A850 Street photography factors
68
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
offers touch focus
environment proof
good ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A850 as a Sports photography camera
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
good resolution (21MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery life (1,240 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is high (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A850 as a Travel photography camera
68
good battery life (1,240 CIPA)
environment proof
has bluetooth
offers touch focus
good resolution (21MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
55
weather proofing
resolution is high (25MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A850 as a Landscape photography camera
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
good resolution (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
good battery life (1,240 per charge)
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
73
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is high (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
2 card slots
no liveview
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D500
Vlogging with Sony A850
31
touchscreen capability
offers face detection focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone jack
does not feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
9
no video recording
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Nikon D500 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Sony A850
 Nikon D500Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2016-01-05 2010-04-15
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 5 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5568 x 3712 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 51200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 1640000 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 153 9
Cross type focus points 99 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 2,359k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 860g (1.90 lbs) 895g (1.97 lbs)
Dimensions 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 84 79
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 12.2
DXO Low light rating 1324 1415
Other
Battery life 1240 pictures 880 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots Two Two
Retail price $1,497 $0