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Nikon D80 vs Sony A850

Portability
62
Imaging
49
Features
36
Overall
43
Nikon D80 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Nikon D80 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Nikon D80
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 668g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Announced September 2006
  • Old Model is Nikon D70
  • Replacement is Nikon D90
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Introduced April 2010
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Nikon D80 vs Sony A850 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Nikon D80 versus Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the D80 (10MP) and A850 (25MP) and the D80 (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The D80 was manufactured 4 years before the A850 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the D80 grades versus the A850 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D80 over the Sony A850

 D80 A850 

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Nikon D80

 A850 D80 
IntroducedApril 2010September 2006Newer by 43 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D80 and Sony A850

 D80 A850 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Nikon D80 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D80 features exterior dimensions of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") having a weight of 668 grams (1.47 lbs) while the Sony A850 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D80 versus Sony A850 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the D80 compared to the A850.

Nikon D80 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the D80 and A850 is 62 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D80 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D80 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by seeing specifications. The picture below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the D80 and A850.

To sum up, both of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The D80 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony A850 will show extra detail due to its extra 15 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged D80 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D80 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Nikon D80 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D80 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D80 Portrait photography details
Sony A850 Portrait photography details
53
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
72
has manual focus
great MP (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D80 Street photography advice
Sony A850 Street photography advice
54
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D80 Sports photography information
Sony A850 Sports photography information
41
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
great MP (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D80 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A850 as a Travel photography camera
44
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
55
weather sealing
great MP (25MP)
missing Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D80 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A850 as a Landscape photography camera
48
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
73
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
great MP (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
no liveview
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D80 Vlogging factors
Sony A850 Vlogging factors
9
no video
9
no video shooting
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Nikon D80 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D80 and Sony A850
 Nikon D80Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D80 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2006-09-23 2010-04-15
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3872 x 2592 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 668g (1.47 lbs) 895g (1.97 lbs)
Physical dimensions 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 61 79
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 12.2
DXO Low light score 524 1415
Other
Battery life - 880 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3e NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots One Two
Cost at launch $800 $0