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Nikon D780 vs Sony A850

Portability
57
Imaging
76
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon D780 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Nikon D780 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Announced January 2020
  • Replaced the Nikon D750
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Launched April 2010
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Nikon D780 vs Sony A850 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Nikon D780 vs Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the D780 (25MP) and the A850 (25MP) is pretty close and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The D780 was revealed 9 years after the A850 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief view of how the D780 grades against the A850 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Sony A850

 D780 A850 
LaunchedJanuary 2020April 2010More modern by 119 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2359k922kSharper screen (+1437k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Nikon D780

 A850 D780 

Common features in the Nikon D780 and Sony A850

 D780 A850 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon D780 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D780 has physical measurements of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs) and the Sony A850 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon D780 vs Sony A850 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the D780 compared to the A850.

Nikon D780 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D780 and A850 is 57 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D780 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D780 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes only by viewing specs. The pic below will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the D780 and A850.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of files although you might want to consider the age of the cameras into account. The younger D780 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D780 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Nikon D780 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D780 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D780
Portrait photography with Sony A850
85
manual focus
excellent megapixels (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW formats
72
has manual focus
MP count excellent (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D780 Street photography highlights
Sony A850 Street photography highlights
71
has a tilting screen
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
supports touch focus
weather proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D780 Sports photography factors
Sony A850 Sports photography factors
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
excellent megapixels (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
great battery power (2,260 shots)
supports phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count excellent (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
weather proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D780 Travel photography info
Sony A850 Travel photography info
71
great battery power (2,260 per charge)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
supports touch focus
excellent megapixels (25MP)
display is not selfie friendly
55
weather proof
MP count excellent (25 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D780
Landscape photography with Sony A850
81
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
excellent megapixels (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
great battery power (2,260 CIPA)
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
73
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count excellent (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
has double storage slots
no liveview
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A850 as a Vlogging camera
32
screen is touchscreen
supports face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
9
no video
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Nikon D780 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D780 and Sony A850
 Nikon D780Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D780 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2020-01-07 2010-04-15
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6048 x 4024 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 51200 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 51 9
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 2,359k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 840 grams (1.85 lb) 895 grams (1.97 lb)
Dimensions 144 x 116 x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 1415
Other
Battery life 2260 shots 880 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15b NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots Two Two
Price at release $2,297 $0