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Nikon D810A vs Sony A850

Portability
55
Imaging
75
Features
80
Overall
77
Nikon D810A front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Nikon D810A
(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
Sony A850
(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
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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).

Photography Glossary

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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D810A over the Sony A850

 D810A A850 
IntroducedFebruary 2015April 2010More modern by 59 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1229k922kClearer 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 typeFixed 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

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

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D810A Portrait photography highlights
Sony A850 Portrait photography highlights
85
you can focus manually
excellent sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
72
you can focus manually
MP count excellent (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D810A as a Street photography camera
Sony A850 as a Street photography camera
60
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D810A Sports photography features
Sony A850 Sports photography features
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
excellent sensor resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery (1,200 shots)
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count excellent (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
slow fps (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D810A Travel photography advice
Sony A850 Travel photography advice
69
good battery (1,200 CIPA)
weather proofing
excellent sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
55
weather proofing
MP count excellent (25 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D810A Landscape photography highlights
Sony A850 Landscape photography highlights
80
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
excellent sensor resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
good battery (1,200 per charge)
two card slots
no image stabilization
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count excellent (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
does not have liveview
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D810A
Vlogging with Sony A850
30
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon D810A vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D810A and Sony A850
 Nikon D810ASony 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