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Nikon D800E vs Sony A99 II

Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75
Nikon D800E front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Nikon D800E vs Sony A99 II Key Specs

Nikon D800E
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Released June 2012
  • Replaced the Nikon D700
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Increase 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
  • Released September 2016
  • Earlier Model is Sony A99
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Nikon D800E vs Sony A99 II Overview

Below is a complete review of the Nikon D800E versus Sony A99 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the D800E (36MP) and the A99 II (42MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (Full frame).

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The D800E was revealed 5 years prior to the A99 II and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the D800E scores versus the A99 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D800E over the Sony A99 II

 D800E A99 II 
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Nikon D800E

 A99 II D800E 
ReleasedSeptember 2016June 2012More recent by 52 months
Screen typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1229k921kSharper screen (+308k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D800E and Sony A99 II

 D800E A99 II 
Focus manually More precise focus
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Nikon D800E vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon D800E has physical 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 sizing of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D800E versus Sony A99 II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the D800E against the A99 II.

Nikon D800E vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D800E and A99 II is 54 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D800E vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D800E vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements just by seeing technical specs. The visual here will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D800E and A99 II.

As you can tell, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can expect the Sony A99 II to provide more detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older D800E will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D800E vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D800E vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D800E vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D800E as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Portrait photography camera
83
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is amazing (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
86
has manual focus
megapixel count fantastic (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D800E Street photography info
Sony A99 II Street photography info
60
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D800E as a Sports photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Sports photography camera
74
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is amazing (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
low fps (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count fantastic (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery (490 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D800E Travel photography factors
Sony A99 II Travel photography factors
66
environment proof
sensor resolution is amazing (36 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not offer selfie friendly screen
70
environment sealing
has bluetooth
megapixel count fantastic (42 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery (490 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D800E as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Landscape photography camera
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
sensor resolution is amazing (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
82
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count fantastic (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
2 card slots
terrible battery (490 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D800E
Vlogging with Sony A99 II
30
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone support
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
78
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic support
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Nikon D800E vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D800E and Sony A99 II
 Nikon D800ESony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D800E Sony Alpha A99 II
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-06-11 2016-09-19
Physical type 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 36MP 42MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 7360 x 4912 7952 x 5304
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Highest boosted ISO 25600 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 51 399
Cross focus points 15 79
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully articulated
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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 Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 900 gr (1.98 lb) 849 gr (1.87 lb)
Physical 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 All around score 96 92
DXO Color Depth score 25.6 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 14.3 13.4
DXO Low light score 2979 2317
Other
Battery life 900 pictures 490 pictures
Battery style 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 shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Card slots 2 2
Pricing at launch $2,389 $3,198