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Nikon D800 vs Sony A99

Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75
Nikon D800 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 Key Specs

Nikon D800
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Revealed June 2012
  • Replaced the Nikon D700
  • Newer Model is Nikon D810
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
  • Announced December 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A900
  • Refreshed by Sony A99 II
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Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Nikon D800 and Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the D800 (36MP) and A99 (24MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The D800 was manufactured 6 months prior to the A99 and they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a simple overview of how the D800 grades against the A99 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Sony A99

 D800 A99 
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Nikon D800

 A99 D800 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1229k921kSharper screen (+308k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D800 and Sony A99

 D800 A99 
AnnouncedJune 2012December 2012Similar age
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D800 offers external dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") and a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) and the Sony A99 has dimensions of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") having a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D800 and Sony A99 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the D800 versus the A99.

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D800 and A99 is 54 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to see the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading specifications. The graphic underneath will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the D800 and A99.

To sum up, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Nikon D800 to offer you extra detail due to its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively.

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D800
Portrait photography with Sony A99
83
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is amazing (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW formats
81
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D800 Street photography highlights
Sony A99 Street photography highlights
60
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
75
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D800 Sports photography details
Sony A99 Sports photography details
74
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is amazing (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery life (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D800 Travel photography info
Sony A99 Travel photography info
66
weather proofing
sensor resolution is amazing (36MP)
built-in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
60
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (500 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D800 Landscape photography factors
Sony A99 Landscape photography factors
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
sensor resolution is amazing (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
74
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
not so great battery life (500 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800 Vlogging info
Sony A99 Vlogging info
30
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone support
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
76
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic jack
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Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D800 and Sony A99
 Nikon D800Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D800 Sony SLT-A99
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-06-11 2012-12-12
Body design 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 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 7360 x 4912 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
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 19
Cross focus points 15 11
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s 1/250s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 900 grams (1.98 lbs) 812 grams (1.79 lbs)
Dimensions 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 95 89
DXO Color Depth score 25.3 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score 14.4 14.0
DXO Low light score 2853 1555
Other
Battery life 900 photographs 500 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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 shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Storage slots 2 2
Pricing at release $2,999 $1,998