Nikon D600 vs Sony A850
56 Imaging
69 Features
79 Overall
73


54 Imaging
67 Features
60 Overall
64
Nikon D600 vs Sony A850 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 850g - 141 x 113 x 82mm
- Introduced November 2012
- Previous Model is Nikon D300S
- Successor is Nikon D610
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- 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
- Announced April 2010

Nikon D600 vs Sony A850 Overview
Let's look a bit more in depth at the Nikon D600 vs Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D600 (24MP) and the A850 (25MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor size (Full frame).

The D600 was unveiled 2 years after the A850 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the D600 grades versus the A850 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon D600 vs Sony A850 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D600 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A850. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon D600 Gallery & Sony A850 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D600 over the Sony A850
D600 | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | November 2012 | ![]() | April 2010 | More modern by 32 months |
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Nikon D600
A850 | D600 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 921k | Crisper screen (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D600 and Sony A850
D600 | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch screen |
Nikon D600 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon D600 enjoys outer measurements of 141mm x 113mm x 82mm (5.6" x 4.4" x 3.2") having a weight of 850 grams (1.87 lbs) while the Sony A850 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).
Compare the Nikon D600 vs Sony A850 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the D600 compared to the A850.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D600 and A850 is 56 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D600 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizes purely by checking out technical specs. The image here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the D600 and A850.
As you can tell, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Sony A850 to produce extra detail having an extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more modern D600 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D600 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D600 vs Sony A850 Specifications
Nikon D600 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon D600 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2012-11-13 | 2010-04-15 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed 3 | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 35.9 x 24mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 861.6mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24MP | 25MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 6016 x 4016 | 6048 x 4032 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Max enhanced ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Min enhanced ISO | 50 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 39 | 9 |
Cross focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 309 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3.2" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 921 thousand dot | 922 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD monitor | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 98% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.74x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 5.5 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 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 | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/200 secs | 1/250 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps) | - |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 850 gr (1.87 pounds) | 895 gr (1.97 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 141 x 113 x 82mm (5.6" x 4.4" x 3.2") | 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 94 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth score | 25.1 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 14.2 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light score | 2980 | 1415 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 900 photographs | 880 photographs |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL15 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC x 2 slots | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
Storage slots | Two | Two |
Retail cost | $1,900 | $0 |