Nikon D800E vs Sony A850
54 Imaging
71 Features
80 Overall
74
54 Imaging
67 Features
60 Overall
64
Nikon D800E vs Sony A850 Key Specs
(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
(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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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).
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe 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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Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D800E and Sony Alpha DSLR-A850. The whole galleries are available at Nikon D800E Gallery and Sony A850 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D800E over the Sony A850
| D800E | A850 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | June 2012 | April 2010 | More recent by 27 months | |
| Display sizing | 3.2" | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Nikon D800E
| A850 | D800E | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 922k | 921k | Sharper display (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D800E and Sony A850
| D800E | A850 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Very accurate focus | |||
| Display type | Fixed | 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.
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.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D800E and A850 is 54 and 54 respectively.
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.
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Nikon D800E vs Sony A850 Specifications
| Nikon D800E | Sony 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 |