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Nikon D800E vs Sony A850

Portability
54
Imaging
71
Features
80
Overall
74
Nikon D800E front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
67
Features
60
Overall
64

Nikon D800E vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Nikon D800E
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Introduced June 2012
  • Succeeded the Nikon D700
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Released April 2010
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Nikon D800E vs Sony A850 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Nikon D800E versus Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the D800E (36MP) and A850 (25MP) but they possess the same exact sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The D800E was introduced 2 years later than the A850 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the D800E grades vs the A850 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D800E over the Sony A850

 D800E A850 
ReleasedJune 2012April 2010More recent by 27 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Nikon D800E

 A850 D800E 
Display resolution922k921kSharper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D800E and Sony A850

 D800E A850 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon D800E vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera, you need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon D800E offers external measurements 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 A850 has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D800E versus Sony A850 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the D800E vs the A850.

Nikon D800E vs Sony A850 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D800E and A850 is 54 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D800E vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D800E vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to visualise the difference between sensor measurements purely by looking at a spec sheet. The visual below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the D800E and A850.

Clearly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Nikon D800E to give you greater detail using its extra 11 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The newer D800E will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D800E vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Nikon D800E vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D800E vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D800E as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A850 as a Portrait photography camera
82
has manual focus
MP count high (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
72
has manual focus
amazing sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Nikon D800E Street photography features
Sony A850 Street photography features
59
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Nikon D800E Sports photography details
Sony A850 Sports photography details
73
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
MP count high (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect AF
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
71
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing sensor resolution (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D800E Travel photography information
Sony A850 Travel photography information
65
environment proof
MP count high (36MP)
has built in flash
display is not selfie friendly
55
environment proofing
amazing sensor resolution (25MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D800E Landscape photography features
Sony A850 Landscape photography features
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
MP count high (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no low pass filter
saves RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
2 card slots
no liveview feature
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800E Vlogging info
Sony A850 Vlogging info
29
features face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
9
no video shooting
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Nikon D800E vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D800E and Sony A850
 Nikon D800ESony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D800E Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-06-11 2010-04-15
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 3 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 36MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 7360 x 4912 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest boosted ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 51 9
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 grams (1.98 pounds) 895 grams (1.97 pounds)
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 All around rating 96 79
DXO Color Depth rating 25.6 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.3 12.2
DXO Low light rating 2979 1415
Other
Battery life 900 photos 880 photos
Style 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 shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots Two Two
Launch price $2,389 $0