Nikon D70s vs Sony A850
61 Imaging
44 Features
39 Overall
42


54 Imaging
67 Features
60 Overall
64
Nikon D70s vs Sony A850 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 6MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 1600
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- No Video
- Nikon F Mount
- 679g - 140 x 111 x 78mm
- Released April 2005
- Previous Model is Nikon D70
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand 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

Nikon D70s vs Sony A850 Overview
Below, we will be contrasting the Nikon D70s versus Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the D70s (6MP) and A850 (25MP) and the D70s (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) use totally different sensor dimensions.

The D70s was released 6 years prior to the A850 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a short overview of how the D70s grades versus the A850 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon D70s vs Sony A850 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D70s and Sony Alpha DSLR-A850. The complete galleries are available at Nikon D70s Gallery and Sony A850 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D70s over the Sony A850
D70s | A850 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Nikon D70s
A850 | D70s | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | April 2010 | ![]() | April 2005 | Fresher by 60 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2" | Bigger screen (+1") |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 130k | Sharper screen (+792k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D70s and Sony A850
D70s | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | No Touch screen |
Nikon D70s vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry your camera, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon D70s enjoys outside measurements of 140mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.5" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 679 grams (1.50 lbs) and the Sony A850 has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).
Check out the Nikon D70s versus Sony A850 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the D70s against the A850.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D70s and A850 is 61 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D70s vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's tough to envision the gap between sensor sizing only by going over specifications. The visual below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the D70s and A850.
Plainly, each of the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The D70s due to its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Sony A850 will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 19 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The older D70s is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D70s vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D70s vs Sony A850 Specifications
Nikon D70s | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon D70s | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2005-04-20 | 2010-04-15 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.5mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor area | 367.4mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 6MP | 25MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 3008 x 2000 | 6048 x 4032 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 200 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 309 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 130k dot | 922k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 98 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.5x | 0.74x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 11.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/500 seconds | 1/250 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Max video resolution | None | None |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 679g (1.50 pounds) | 895g (1.97 pounds) |
Dimensions | 140 x 111 x 78mm (5.5" x 4.4" x 3.1") | 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 50 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.4 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.3 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light score | 529 | 1415 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 880 images |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL3a | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 to 20 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | Two |
Cost at release | $700 | $0 |