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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A850

Portability
62
Imaging
77
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Announced July 2020
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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 Z5 vs Sony A850 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Nikon Z5 vs Sony A850, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the Z5 (24MP) and the A850 (25MP) is fairly comparable and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The Z5 was manufactured 10 years after the A850 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a short introduction of how the Z5 scores vs the A850 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Sony A850

 Z5 A850 
IntroducedJuly 2020April 2010More modern by 125 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k922kClearer display (+118k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Nikon Z5

 A850 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Sony A850

 Z5 A850 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z5 has outside dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Sony A850 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Examine the Nikon Z5 vs Sony A850 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the Z5 compared to the A850.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the Z5 and A850 is 62 and 54 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes simply by checking out specifications. The picture underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the Z5 and A850.

Plainly, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should anticipate the Sony A850 to show greater detail due to its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The younger Z5 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z5
Portrait photography with Sony A850
86
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
72
manual focus
amazing MP (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography info
Sony A850 Street photography info
74
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
comes with touch focus
weather proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
heavier than competition in class (675 grams)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography info
Sony A850 Sports photography info
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
great battery pack (470 CIPA)
comes with phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.5 frames/s)
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing MP (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
low fps (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography factors
Sony A850 Travel photography factors
68
great battery pack (470 shots)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
comes with touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
heavier than competition in class (675g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
55
environment proofing
amazing MP (25MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography details
Sony A850 Landscape photography details
87
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
great battery pack (470 CIPA)
two card slots
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing MP (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
no liveview feature
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z5
Vlogging with Sony A850
34
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly screen
heavier than competition in class (675 grams)
9
no video recording
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Sony A850
 Nikon Z5Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z5 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Class Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2020-07-20 2010-04-15
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6016 x 4016 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 51200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 6400
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 273 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 15 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.5 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200s 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 PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675g (1.49 pounds) 895g (1.97 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 470 photos 880 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15c NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots Two Two
Pricing at release $1,399 $0