Nikon D810 vs Sony A850
Portability
54 Imaging
73 Features
78 Overall
75
54 Imaging
73 Features
78 Overall
75
Portability
54 Imaging
67 Features
60 Overall
64
54 Imaging
67 Features
60 Overall
64
Nikon D810 vs Sony A850 Key Specs
Nikon D810
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- ISO 64 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 980g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
- Launched June 2014
- Old Model is Nikon D800
- Successor is Nikon D850
Sony A850
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
- Introduced April 2010
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On this page, we are looking at the Nikon D810 versus Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the D810 (36MP) and A850 (25MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (Full frame).
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe D810 was brought out 4 years later than the A850 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick summary of how the D810 grades vs the A850 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D810 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A850. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon D810 Gallery & Sony A850 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D810 over the Sony A850
| D810 | A850 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | June 2014 |  | April 2010 | Fresher by 52 months |
| Display dimensions | 3.2" |  | 3" | Larger display (+0.2") |
| Display resolution | 1229k |  | 922k | Crisper display (+307k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Nikon D810
| A850 | D810 |
|---|
Common features in the Nikon D810 and Sony A850
| D810 | A850 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | More accurate focusing | ||
| Display type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed display |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
| Touch display |  | Neither contains Touch display |
Nikon D810 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to carry your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon D810 has got exterior measurements 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 A850 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).
Examine the Nikon D810 versus Sony A850 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the D810 versus the A850.
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D810 and A850 is 54 and 54 respectively.
Nikon D810 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing merely by researching specifications. The photograph here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the D810 and A850.
To sum up, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Nikon D810 to provide you with more detail having its extra 11MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer D810 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.
Nikon D810 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Glossary Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Nikon D810 Portrait photography factors
Sony A850 Portrait photography factors
has manual focus
resolution is amazing (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
manual focus
fantastic resolution (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
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Nikon D810 as a Street photography camera
Sony A850 as a Street photography camera
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (980 grams)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
fixed screen
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Nikon D810 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A850 as a Sports photography camera
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
resolution is amazing (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery life (1,200 per charge)
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic resolution (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
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Nikon D810 Travel photography details
Sony A850 Travel photography details
better than average battery life (1,200 CIPA)
environment proofing
resolution is amazing (36 megapixels)
flash built-in
heavier than competitors in class (980g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
weather proof
fantastic resolution (25 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Nikon D810 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A850 Landscape photography highlights
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
resolution is amazing (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery life (1,200 shots)
2 card slots
no image stabilization
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic resolution (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
2 card slots
does not have liveview
missing Timelapse function
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Nikon D810 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A850 as a Vlogging camera
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic support
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (980 grams)
can't record video
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Nikon D810 vs Sony A850 Specifications
| Nikon D810 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Nikon | Sony |
| Model | Nikon D810 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 |
| Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
| Launched | 2014-06-26 | 2010-04-15 |
| Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | EXPEED 4 | 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 | 36 megapixel | 25 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 5:4 and 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 6048 x 4032 |
| Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
| Maximum enhanced ISO | 51200 | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 64 | 200 |
| RAW data | ||
| Lowest enhanced ISO | 32 | - |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 51 | 9 |
| Cross focus points | 15 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Total lenses | 309 | 143 |
| Crop factor | 1 | 1 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 1,229 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Display tech | TFT-LCD (WRGB) | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 98% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.74x |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter rate | 5.0fps | 3.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated 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 | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250 seconds | 1/250 seconds |
| 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) | - |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Optional | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | Optional | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 980 grams (2.16 lbs) | 895 grams (1.97 lbs) |
| Physical 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 Overall score | 97 | 79 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 25.7 | 23.8 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 14.8 | 12.2 |
| DXO Low light score | 2853 | 1415 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 1200 shots | 880 shots |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | EN-EL15 | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs for up to 9 shots) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, CompactFlash (UDMA compliant) | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
| Card slots | Two | Two |
| Pricing at release | $1,999 | $0 |