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Nikon D850 vs Sony A900

Portability
54
Imaging
78
Features
87
Overall
81
Nikon D850 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
67
Features
62
Overall
65

Nikon D850 vs Sony A900 Key Specs

Nikon D850
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Raise 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
  • Previous Model is Nikon D810
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Released October 2008
  • Successor is Sony A99
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Nikon D850 vs Sony A900 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Nikon D850 and Sony A900, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the D850 (46MP) and A900 (25MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The D850 was unveiled 8 years later than the A900 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the D850 grades versus the A900 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Sony A900

 D850 A900 
ReleasedAugust 2017October 2008Fresher by 108 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2359k922kClearer screen (+1437k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Nikon D850

 A900 D850 

Common features in the Nikon D850 and Sony A900

 D850 A900 
Manual focus More precise focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Nikon D850 vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D850 enjoys outer dimensions of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs) and the Sony A900 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D850 and Sony A900 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the D850 vs the A900.

Nikon D850 vs Sony A900 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the D850 and A900 is 54 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D850 vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D850 vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The graphic here will give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the D850 and A900.

As you can see, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Nikon D850 to deliver more detail having an extra 21 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The younger D850 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D850 vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Nikon D850 vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D850 vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D850
Portrait photography with Sony A900
86
has manual focus
excellent MP (46MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW files
72
focusing manually
megapixel count excellent (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Nikon D850 as a Street photography camera
Sony A900 as a Street photography camera
66
screen tilts
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
comes with focus via touch
environment sealing
very good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
heavier than average in class (1,015 grams)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D850 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A900 as a Sports photography camera
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
excellent MP (46MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery power (1,840 CIPA)
comes with phase detect AF
no image stabilization
71
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count excellent (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
environment proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D850 Travel photography info
Sony A900 Travel photography info
65
great battery power (1,840 CIPA)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
excellent MP (46MP)
heavier than average in class (1,015 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
55
environment proof
megapixel count excellent (25 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D850 Landscape photography factors
Sony A900 Landscape photography factors
82
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
excellent MP (46 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
great battery power (1,840 CIPA)
has double storage slots
no image stabilization
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count excellent (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
no liveview feature
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D850 Vlogging factors
Sony A900 Vlogging factors
30
touchscreen capability
supports face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic port
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
heavier than average in class (1,015 grams)
9
no video recording
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Nikon D850 vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D850 and Sony A900
 Nikon D850Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D850 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2017-08-24 2008-10-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 5 Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 8256 x 5504 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Max enhanced ISO 102400 -
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 153 9
Cross focus points 99 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 2,359 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.75x 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1015 gr (2.24 pounds) 895 gr (1.97 pounds)
Physical dimensions 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 100 79
DXO Color Depth score 26.4 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 14.8 12.3
DXO Low light score 2660 1431
Other
Battery life 1840 pictures 880 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15a NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Card slots Two Two
Launch pricing $2,997 $2,736