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Nikon D810 vs Sony A850

Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
78
Overall
76
Nikon D810 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Nikon D810 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Nikon D810
(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)
  • 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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Nikon D810 vs Sony A850 Overview

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).

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The 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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Reasons to pick Nikon D810 over the Sony A850

 D810 A850 
IntroducedJune 2014April 2010Fresher by 52 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1229k922kCrisper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon D810 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D810 and A850 is 54 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D810 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon D810 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D810 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D810 Portrait photography factors
Sony A850 Portrait photography factors
85
has manual focus
resolution is amazing (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
72
manual focus
fantastic resolution (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D810 as a Street photography camera
Sony A850 as a Street photography camera
56
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
fixed screen
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (980 grams)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D810 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A850 as a Sports photography camera
76
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
71
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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Travel Comparison

Nikon D810 Travel photography details
Sony A850 Travel photography details
63
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
55
weather proof
fantastic resolution (25 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D810 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A850 Landscape photography highlights
80
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
73
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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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D810 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A850 as a Vlogging camera
28
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)
9
can't record video
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Nikon D810 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D810 and Sony A850
 Nikon D810Sony 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