Clicky

Nikon D600 vs Sony A850

Portability
56
Imaging
69
Features
79
Overall
73
Nikon D600 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
67
Features
60
Overall
64

Nikon D600 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Nikon D600
(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
Sony A850
(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
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

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).

Photography Glossary

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.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D600 over the Sony A850

 D600 A850 
AnnouncedNovember 2012April 2010More modern by 32 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Nikon D600

 A850 D600 
Screen resolution922k921kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D600 and Sony A850

 D600 A850 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon D600 vs Sony A850 size comparison

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

Nikon D600 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon D600 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D600 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D600 Portrait photography advice
Sony A850 Portrait photography advice
81
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
72
focusing manually
MP count amazing (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Nikon D600 Street photography features
Sony A850 Street photography features
60
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proof
fixed screen
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D600
Sports photography with Sony A850
70
megapixel count decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (5.5 fps)
does not have image stabilization
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count amazing (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Nikon D600 Travel photography highlights
Sony A850 Travel photography highlights
66
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not posses selfie friendly screen
55
environment proof
MP count amazing (25MP)
no Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D600 Landscape photography information
Sony A850 Landscape photography information
77
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
doesn't have liveview
no Timelapse mode
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D600 Vlogging factors
Sony A850 Vlogging factors
30
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone socket
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
9
can't record video
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Nikon D600 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D600 and Sony A850
 Nikon D600Sony 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