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Nikon D850 vs Sony A99

Portability
54
Imaging
78
Features
87
Overall
81
Nikon D850 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
70
Features
88
Overall
77

Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 Key Specs

Nikon D850
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • 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
  • Introduced August 2017
  • Succeeded the Nikon D810
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Announced December 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A900
  • Later Model is Sony A99 II
Photography Glossary

Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Nikon D850 and Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the D850 (46MP) and A99 (24MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The D850 was brought out 4 years after the A99 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the D850 scores against the A99 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Sony A99

 D850 A99 
AnnouncedAugust 2017December 2012Newer by 58 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2359k1229kCrisper screen (+1130k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Nikon D850

 A99 D850 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D850 and Sony A99

 D850 A99 
Manually focus More exact focusing

Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon D850 comes with outside dimensions of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") and a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 has measurements of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D850 and Sony A99 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at that moment. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the D850 against the A99.

Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D850 and A99 is 54 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading technical specs. The pic below might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the D850 and A99.

As you have seen, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Nikon D850 to offer greater detail having its extra 22 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The younger D850 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D850 Portrait photography features
Sony A99 Portrait photography features
86
focusing manually
amazing MP (46MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW files
82
you can focus manually
MP count good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D850
Street photography with Sony A99
66
has a tilting screen
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
has touch focus
environment proofing
great high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
heavier than others in class (1,015 grams)
75
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D850 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A99 as a Sports photography camera
82
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
amazing MP (46MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery pack (1,840 shots)
has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
not so great battery life (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D850 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A99 as a Travel photography camera
65
good battery pack (1,840 per charge)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
has touch focus
amazing MP (46MP)
heavier than others in class (1,015 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
weather proof
MP count good (24MP)
display is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (500 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D850 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A99 Landscape photography highlights
82
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
amazing MP (46 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
good battery pack (1,840 shots)
2 card slots
no image stabilization
75
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
2 card slots
not so great battery life (500 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D850
Vlogging with Sony A99
30
touchscreen functionality
offers face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
heavier than others in class (1,015 grams)
76
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic support
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Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D850 and Sony A99
 Nikon D850Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D850 Sony SLT-A99
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2017-08-24 2012-12-12
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 5 Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 46MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 8256 x 5504 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Max enhanced ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 32 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 153 19
Cross focus points 99 11
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 2,359k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.75x 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1015 gr (2.24 pounds) 812 gr (1.79 pounds)
Dimensions 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 100 89
DXO Color Depth score 26.4 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score 14.8 14.0
DXO Low light score 2660 1555
Other
Battery life 1840 pictures 500 pictures
Battery style 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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Card slots Two Two
Cost at release $2,997 $1,998