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Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II

Portability
54
Imaging
78
Features
87
Overall
81
Nikon D850 front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II Key Specs

Nikon D850
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1015g - 146 x 124 x 79mm
  • Announced August 2017
  • Superseded the Nikon D810
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Expand 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
  • Released September 2016
  • Earlier Model is Sony A99
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Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Nikon D850 versus Sony A99 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D850 (46MP) and the A99 II (42MP) is fairly close and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The D850 was manufactured 12 months later than the A99 II which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a simple overview of how the D850 grades against the A99 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Sony A99 II

 D850 A99 II 
ReleasedAugust 2017September 2016More recent by 12 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k1229kCrisper display (+1130k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Nikon D850

 A99 II D850 
Display typeFully articulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D850 and Sony A99 II

 D850 A99 II 
Manually focus More precise focusing

Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon D850 has got physical dimensions of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") along with a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs) and the Sony A99 II has sizing of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") and a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D850 versus Sony A99 II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the D850 compared to the A99 II.

Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the D850 and A99 II is 54 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements merely by looking through specs. The graphic below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the D850 and A99 II.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can anticipate the Nikon D850 to result in greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer D850 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D850 Portrait photography information
Sony A99 II Portrait photography information
86
you can focus manually
excellent MP (46 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
86
manual focus
high megapixels (42MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D850 Street photography highlights
Sony A99 II Street photography highlights
66
has a tilting screen
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
weather sealing
good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
heavier than others (1,015 grams)
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D850 Sports photography information
Sony A99 II Sports photography information
82
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
excellent MP (46 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
better than average battery pack (1,840 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (42MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
bad battery life (490 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D850
Travel photography with Sony A99 II
65
better than average battery pack (1,840 CIPA)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch focus
excellent MP (46MP)
heavier than others (1,015 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly display
70
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
high megapixels (42 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
bad battery life (490 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D850 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Landscape photography camera
82
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
excellent MP (46MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
better than average battery pack (1,840 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
82
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (42MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
bad battery life (490 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D850 Vlogging features
Sony A99 II Vlogging features
30
touchscreen functionality
features face detection focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic jack
does not feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
heavier than others (1,015 grams)
78
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external mic jack
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Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D850 and Sony A99 II
 Nikon D850Sony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D850 Sony Alpha A99 II
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2017-08-24 2016-09-19
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 5 Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 46 megapixels 42 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 8256 x 5504 7952 x 5304
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 102400
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 32 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 153 399
Cross focus points 99 79
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fully articulated
Screen sizing 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 2,359 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.75x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1015g (2.24 lb) 849g (1.87 lb)
Dimensions 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 100 92
DXO Color Depth score 26.4 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 14.8 13.4
DXO Low light score 2660 2317
Other
Battery life 1840 shots 490 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery model EN-EL15a -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Storage slots Two Two
Launch pricing $2,997 $3,198