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Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 II

Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75
Nikon D800 front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 II Key Specs

Nikon D800
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Launched June 2012
  • Old Model is Nikon D700
  • Replacement is Nikon D810
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Introduced September 2016
  • Superseded the Sony A99
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Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 II Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D800 (36MP) and the A99 II (42MP) is pretty close and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The D800 was brought out 5 years prior to the A99 II and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short summation of how the D800 matches up vs the A99 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Sony A99 II

 D800 A99 II 
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Nikon D800

 A99 II D800 
IntroducedSeptember 2016June 2012Fresher by 52 months
Screen typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1229k921kClearer screen (+308k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D800 and Sony A99 II

 D800 A99 II 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon D800 comes with external dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) and the Sony A99 II has measurements of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") with a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 II in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the D800 compared to the A99 II.

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the D800 and A99 II is 54 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing simply by looking through specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the D800 and A99 II.

All in all, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Sony A99 II to result in greater detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The older D800 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D800 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A99 II Portrait photography highlights
83
you can focus manually
high MP (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW files
86
has manual focus
great MP (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D800
Street photography with Sony A99 II
60
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D800
Sports photography with Sony A99 II
74
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
high MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great MP (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery life (490 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D800 Travel photography highlights
Sony A99 II Travel photography highlights
66
weather proofing
high MP (36 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
great MP (42MP)
selfie friendly screen
not so great battery life (490 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D800 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A99 II Landscape photography highlights
79
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
high MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
82
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great MP (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
has double storage slots
not so great battery life (490 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A99 II as a Vlogging camera
30
offers face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
78
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic port
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Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D800 and Sony A99 II
 Nikon D800Sony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D800 Sony Alpha A99 II
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-06-11 2016-09-19
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 3 Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixel 42 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 7360 x 4912 7952 x 5304
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 51 399
Cross focus points 15 79
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully articulated
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 900g (1.98 lb) 849g (1.87 lb)
Dimensions 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 95 92
DXO Color Depth score 25.3 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 14.4 13.4
DXO Low light score 2853 2317
Other
Battery life 900 images 490 images
Type of battery Battery Pack NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery model EN-EL15 -
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec, 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Storage slots Dual Dual
Launch pricing $2,999 $3,198