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Nikon D780 vs Sony A99

Portability
57
Imaging
76
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon D780 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Nikon D780 vs Sony A99 Key Specs

Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Announced January 2020
  • Succeeded the Nikon D750
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Launched December 2012
  • Old Model is Sony A900
  • Updated by Sony A99 II
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Nikon D780 vs Sony A99 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Nikon D780 vs Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the D780 (25MP) and the A99 (24MP) is relatively close and they possess the exact same sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The D780 was brought out 7 years after the A99 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the D780 grades vs the A99 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Sony A99

 D780 A99 
LaunchedJanuary 2020December 2012More modern by 87 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2359k1229kSharper screen (+1130k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Nikon D780

 A99 D780 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D780 and Sony A99

 D780 A99 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing

Nikon D780 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera often, you should think about its weight and size. The Nikon D780 offers outside dimensions of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 has specifications of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") having a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D780 vs Sony A99 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the D780 vs the A99.

Nikon D780 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the D780 and A99 is 57 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D780 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D780 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizes just by looking through specs. The picture below will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D780 and A99.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can count on the Nikon D780 to result in greater detail having its extra 1MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots much more aggressively. The more recent D780 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D780 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Nikon D780 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D780 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D780 Portrait photography advice
Sony A99 Portrait photography advice
85
manual focus
high resolution (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW files
81
you can focus manually
MP count good (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D780 Street photography information
Sony A99 Street photography information
71
has a tilting screen
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
offers touch focus
environment proofing
great high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
75
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D780
Sports photography with Sony A99
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
high resolution (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery pack (2,260 shots)
sensor has phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
not so great battery life (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D780
Travel photography with Sony A99
71
better than average battery pack (2,260 CIPA)
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
offers touch focus
high resolution (25 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
environment proofing
MP count good (24MP)
selfie friendly screen
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (500 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D780 Landscape photography information
Sony A99 Landscape photography information
81
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
high resolution (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
better than average battery pack (2,260 CIPA)
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
74
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
not so great battery life (500 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D780
Vlogging with Sony A99
32
built-in touchscreen
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
76
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic socket
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Nikon D780 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D780 and Sony A99
 Nikon D780Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D780 Sony SLT-A99
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2020-01-07 2012-12-12
Physical type 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 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6048 x 4024 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 51200 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 51 19
Cross focus points 15 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 2,359 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 900 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 840g (1.85 lbs) 812g (1.79 lbs)
Dimensions 144 x 116 x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 89
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1555
Other
Battery life 2260 pictures 500 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15b NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Card slots Two Two
Retail pricing $2,297 $1,998