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Nikon D800 vs Sony A900

Portability
54
Imaging
72
Features
80
Overall
75
Nikon D800 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
66
Features
62
Overall
64

Nikon D800 vs Sony A900 Key Specs

Nikon D800
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Released June 2012
  • Replaced the Nikon D700
  • Updated by Nikon D810
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Released October 2008
  • Successor is Sony A99
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Nikon D800 vs Sony A900 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Nikon D800 vs Sony A900, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the D800 (36MP) and A900 (25MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (Full frame).

Photography Glossary

The D800 was manufactured 3 years later than the A900 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the D800 matches up versus the A900 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Sony A900

 D800 A900 
ReleasedJune 2012October 2008Fresher by 45 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Nikon D800

 A900 D800 
Screen resolution922k921kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D800 and Sony A900

 D800 A900 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Nikon D800 vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Nikon D800 features outside measurements of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") along with a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) and the Sony A900 has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

See the Nikon D800 vs Sony A900 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the D800 compared to the A900.

Nikon D800 vs Sony A900 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the D800 and A900 is 54 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D800 vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D800 vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing just by going over specifications. The photograph below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the D800 and A900.

To sum up, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can expect the Nikon D800 to offer you extra detail due to its extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more recent D800 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D800 vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Nikon D800 vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D800 vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D800 Portrait photography info
Sony A900 Portrait photography info
83
you can focus manually
fantastic MP (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
71
focusing manually
sensor resolution is great (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D800 Street photography features
Sony A900 Street photography features
59
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D800
Sports photography with Sony A900
73
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
fantastic MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is great (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D800 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A900 as a Travel photography camera
66
environment sealing
fantastic MP (36MP)
built-in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
54
environment proofing
sensor resolution is great (25 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D800 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A900 as a Landscape photography camera
78
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
fantastic MP (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
72
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is great (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
doesn't have liveview
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D800
Vlogging with Sony A900
30
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
9
can't record video
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Nikon D800 vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D800 and Sony A900
 Nikon D800Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D800 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-06-11 2008-10-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 3 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS 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 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 7360 x 4912 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 51 9
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 900 gr (1.98 pounds) 895 gr (1.97 pounds)
Physical dimensions 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 95 79
DXO Color Depth rating 25.3 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.4 12.3
DXO Low light rating 2853 1431
Other
Battery life 900 shots 880 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec, 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Card slots Two Two
Launch cost $2,999 $2,736