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Nikon D700 vs Sony A850

Portability
54
Imaging
56
Features
56
Overall
56
Nikon D700 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Nikon D700 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Nikon D700
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1074g - 147 x 123 x 77mm
  • Released October 2008
  • Updated by Nikon D800E
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Push 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 D700 vs Sony A850 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Nikon D700 and Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the D700 (12MP) and A850 (25MP) but they possess the exact same sensor size (Full frame).

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The D700 was revealed 18 months earlier than the A850 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise summation of how the D700 scores against the A850 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D700 over the Sony A850

 D700 A850 

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Nikon D700

 A850 D700 
LaunchedApril 2010October 2008Newer by 18 months

Common features in the Nikon D700 and Sony A850

 D700 A850 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Screen resolution922k922kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Nikon D700 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon D700 enjoys physical dimensions of 147mm x 123mm x 77mm (5.8" x 4.8" x 3.0") along with a weight of 1074 grams (2.37 lbs) and the Sony A850 has measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D700 and Sony A850 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the D700 against the A850.

Nikon D700 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the D700 and A850 is 54 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D700 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D700 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by looking at technical specs. The picture underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the D700 and A850.

As you have seen, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should expect the Sony A850 to give greater detail because of its extra 13MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged D700 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Nikon D700 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Nikon D700 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D700 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D700 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A850 as a Portrait photography camera
63
you can focus manually
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
72
manual focus
great megapixels (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D700 Street photography features
Sony A850 Street photography features
52
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
no moving screen
no image stabilization
heavier than competition (1,074g)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D700 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A850 as a Sports photography camera
59
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
great sensor size (Full frame)
weather proof
great battery life (1,000 per charge)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
71
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great megapixels (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D700 Travel photography factors
Sony A850 Travel photography factors
52
great battery life (1,000 shots)
weather proof
has built in flash
heavier than competition (1,074g)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
55
environment sealing
great megapixels (25MP)
missing Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D700 Landscape photography advice
Sony A850 Landscape photography advice
66
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
great battery life (1,000 per charge)
no image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
73
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great megapixels (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
doesn't have liveview
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D700 Vlogging details
Sony A850 Vlogging details
9
no video shooting
9
can't record video
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Nikon D700 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D700 and Sony A850
 Nikon D700Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D700 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2008-10-07 2010-04-15
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4256 x 2832 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest boosted ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW format
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 51 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 922 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.72x 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1074 gr (2.37 lbs) 895 gr (1.97 lbs)
Dimensions 147 x 123 x 77mm (5.8" x 4.8" x 3.0") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 79
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 12.2
DXO Low light rating 2303 1415
Other
Battery life 1000 images 880 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3e NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I) Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Dual
Price at launch $2,700 $0