Nikon D800 vs Sony A99
54 Imaging
72 Features
80 Overall
75


57 Imaging
69 Features
88 Overall
76
Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D800 & Sony SLT-A99. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon D800 Gallery & Sony A99 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Sony A99
D800 | A99 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Nikon D800
A99 | D800 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 921k | Sharper screen (+308k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Nikon D800 and Sony A99
D800 | A99 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | June 2012 | ![]() | December 2012 | Similar 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800 vs Sony A99 Specifications
Nikon D800 | Sony 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 |