Clicky

Nikon D810 vs Sony A99 II

Portability
54
Imaging
74
Features
78
Overall
75
Nikon D810 front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Nikon D810 vs Sony A99 II Key Specs

Nikon D810
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 980g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Introduced June 2014
  • Replaced the Nikon D800
  • Successor is Nikon D850
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Push 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
  • Launched September 2016
  • Old Model is Sony A99
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Nikon D810 vs Sony A99 II Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Nikon D810 versus Sony A99 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D810 (36MP) and the A99 II (42MP) is very well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor size (Full frame).

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The D810 was introduced 3 years before the A99 II which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the D810 grades versus the A99 II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D810 over the Sony A99 II

 D810 A99 II 
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Nikon D810

 A99 II D810 
LaunchedSeptember 2016June 2014More modern by 27 months
Display typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D810 and Sony A99 II

 D810 A99 II 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display resolution1229k1229kExact same display resolution
Touch display Absent Touch display

Nikon D810 vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D810 comes with external dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 980 grams (2.16 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 II has proportions of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D810 versus Sony A99 II in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the D810 and the A99 II.

Nikon D810 vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the D810 and A99 II is 54 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D810 vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D810 vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to picture the gap between sensor sizes simply by reading through specifications. The picture below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the D810 and A99 II.

Plainly, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony A99 II to resolve greater detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more aged D810 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Nikon D810 vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D810 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D810 vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D810 Portrait photography features
Sony A99 II Portrait photography features
84
has manual focus
sensor resolution is amazing (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
86
focusing manually
excellent MP (42 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D810
Street photography with Sony A99 II
56
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average in class (980g)
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
good high ISO (25,600)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Nikon D810 Sports photography information
Sony A99 II Sports photography information
75
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is amazing (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (1,200 CIPA)
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (42 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery (490 shots)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D810
Travel photography with Sony A99 II
63
better than average battery pack (1,200 CIPA)
weather proofing
sensor resolution is amazing (36MP)
has built in flash
heavier than average in class (980g)
screen is not selfie friendly
70
weather sealing
has bluetooth
excellent MP (42 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
terrible battery (490 per charge)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D810
Landscape photography with Sony A99 II
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
sensor resolution is amazing (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (1,200 CIPA)
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
82
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (42 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery (490 CIPA)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D810 Vlogging info
Sony A99 II Vlogging info
28
offers face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average in class (980g)
78
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has microphone jack
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Nikon D810 vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D810 and Sony A99 II
 Nikon D810Sony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D810 Sony Alpha A99 II
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2014-06-26 2016-09-19
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip EXPEED 4 Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 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
Full resolution 7360 x 4912 7952 x 5304
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Max boosted ISO 51200 102400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Min boosted ISO 32 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 51 399
Cross focus points 15 79
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully articulated
Display sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 1,229 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT-LCD (WRGB) -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
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 speed 5.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 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 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 980 gr (2.16 lbs) 849 gr (1.87 lbs)
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 97 92
DXO Color Depth score 25.7 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 14.8 13.4
DXO Low light score 2853 2317
Other
Battery life 1200 photographs 490 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery model EN-EL15 -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs for up to 9 shots) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, CompactFlash (UDMA compliant) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Storage slots Two Two
Pricing at launch $1,999 $3,198