Nikon D810A vs Sony A850
55 Imaging
75 Features
80 Overall
77
![Nikon D810A front Nikon D810A front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Nikon-D810A.jpg)
![Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A850/Sony-A850-front.jpg)
54 Imaging
68 Features
60 Overall
64
Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 880g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
- Introduced February 2015
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
- Introduced April 2010
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 Overview
Lets take a more detailed look at the Nikon D810A vs Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the D810A (36MP) and A850 (25MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (Full frame).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
The D810A was announced 4 years after the A850 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise view of how the D810A matches up against the A850 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D810A and Sony Alpha DSLR-A850. The whole galleries are viewable at Nikon D810A Gallery and Sony A850 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D810A over the Sony A850
D810A | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2015 | ![]() | April 2010 | More modern by 59 months |
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Screen resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 922k | Clearer screen (+307k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Nikon D810A
A850 | D810A |
---|
Common features in the Nikon D810A and Sony A850
D810A | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither contains selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison
If you're going to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon D810A has got outer measurements of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 880 grams (1.94 lbs) and the Sony A850 has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).
Contrast the Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the D810A compared to the A850.
![Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 size comparison Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D810A-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A850-size-comparison.jpg)
Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the D810A and A850 is 55 and 54 respectively.
![Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D810A-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A850-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes only by going through technical specs. The picture underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the D810A and A850.
As you have seen, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Nikon D810A to provide extra detail with its extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The more modern D810A provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.
![Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Nikon-D810A-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A850-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder
![Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D810A-vs-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A850-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 Specifications
Nikon D810A | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon D810A | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2015-02-10 | 2010-04-15 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | EXPEED 4 | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 35.9 x 24mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 861.6mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 36 megapixel | 25 megapixel |
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 | 12800 | 3200 |
Highest boosted ISO | 51200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Minimum boosted ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 51 | 9 |
Cross type focus points | 15 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 309 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3.2" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 1,229k dot | 922k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | - | 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 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | 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 | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/250 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 880 grams (1.94 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 All around rating | not tested | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1415 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 1200 photographs | 880 photographs |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL15 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs for up to 9 shots) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, CompactFlash (UDMA compliant) | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
Storage slots | Dual | Dual |
Pricing at launch | $3,800 | $0 |