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Nikon D810 vs Sony A9

Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
78
Overall
75
Nikon D810 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
72
Features
93
Overall
80

Nikon D810 vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Nikon D810
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 980g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Announced June 2014
  • Superseded the Nikon D800
  • Newer Model is Nikon D850
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Introduced April 2017
  • New Model is Sony A9 II
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Nikon D810 vs Sony A9 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Nikon D810 versus Sony A9, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the D810 (36MP) and A9 (24MP) but they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The D810 was launched 3 years earlier than the A9 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Nikon D810 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summary of how the D810 scores versus the A9 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D810 over the Sony A9

 D810 A9 
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Nikon D810

 A9 D810 
IntroducedApril 2017June 2014More recent by 34 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k1229kClearer display (+211k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon D810 and Sony A9

 D810 A9 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Nikon D810 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon D810 comes with physical dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 980 grams (2.16 lbs) and the Sony A9 has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") and a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D810 versus Sony A9 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the D810 vs the A9.

Nikon D810 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the D810 and A9 is 54 and 65 respectively.

Nikon D810 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D810 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to imagine the difference between sensor measurements just by looking at specs. The graphic below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the D810 and A9.

All in all, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You can anticipate the Nikon D810 to give you more detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images much more aggressively. The older D810 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D810 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Nikon D810 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D810 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D810 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A9 as a Portrait photography camera
83
focusing manually
MP count high (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
83
focusing manually
MP count decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D810 as a Street photography camera
Sony A9 as a Street photography camera
56
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (980g)
79
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
provides touch to focus
environment proofing
great ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D810
Sports photography with Sony A9
75
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
MP count high (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
good battery life (1,200 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
86
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
high fps (20.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery power (650 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D810 Travel photography features
Sony A9 Travel photography features
62
good battery life (1,200 per charge)
environment sealing
MP count high (36 megapixels)
flash built-in
heavier than competition in class (980 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
73
better than average battery power (650 CIPA)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
provides touch to focus
MP count decent (24MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D810 Landscape photography information
Sony A9 Landscape photography information
80
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2")
MP count high (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery life (1,200 per charge)
2 card slots
no image stabilization
85
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery power (650 shots)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D810 Vlogging factors
Sony A9 Vlogging factors
28
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (980 grams)
36
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external microphone support
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Nikon D810 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D810 and Sony A9
 Nikon D810Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D810 Sony Alpha A9
Category Advanced DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2014-06-26 2017-04-19
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip EXPEED 4 BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 36MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 7360 x 4912 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 12800 51200
Highest boosted ISO 51200 204800
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Lowest boosted ISO 32 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 51 693
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony E
Amount of lenses 309 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,229 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT-LCD (WRGB) -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 980 grams (2.16 lbs) 673 grams (1.48 lbs)
Dimensions 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 97 92
DXO Color Depth rating 25.7 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.8 13.3
DXO Low light rating 2853 3517
Other
Battery life 1200 shots 650 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs for up to 9 shots) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, CompactFlash (UDMA compliant) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots Two Two
Launch price $1,999 $4,498