Clicky

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A850

Portability
61
Imaging
77
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon Z6 Mark II front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Nikon Z6 II
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 705g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released October 2020
  • Replaced the Nikon Z6
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Introduced April 2010
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A850 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Nikon Z6 II and Sony A850, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the Z6 II (25MP) and the A850 (25MP) is relatively well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (Full frame).

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The Z6 II was announced 10 years after the A850 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Nikon Z6 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the Z6 II grades against the A850 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z6 II over the Sony A850

 Z6 II A850 
IntroducedOctober 2020April 2010Newer by 128 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k922kCrisper screen (+1178k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Nikon Z6 II

 A850 Z6 II 

Common features in the Nikon Z6 II and Sony A850

 Z6 II A850 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon Z6 II has got external dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 705 grams (1.55 lbs) and the Sony A850 has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon Z6 II and Sony A850 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the Z6 II vs the A850.

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A850 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z6 II and A850 is 61 and 54 respectively.

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions just by checking technical specs. The image here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z6 II and A850.

As you have seen, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same MP therefore you can expect similar quality of photos but you would want to factor the age of the products into consideration. The more modern Z6 II should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Portrait photography details
Sony A850 Portrait photography details
86
manual focus
MP count high (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW files
72
focusing manually
megapixel count excellent (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Street photography information
Sony A850 Street photography information
78
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
has focus by touch
environment proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
fixed screen
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z6 II
Sports photography with Sony A850
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count high (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
terrible battery pack (410 CIPA)
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count excellent (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Travel photography features
Sony A850 Travel photography features
66
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
has focus by touch
MP count high (25 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
does not have a selfie friendly display
55
environment sealing
megapixel count excellent (25 megapixels)
no Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z6 II
Landscape photography with Sony A850
82
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count high (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
terrible battery pack (410 per charge)
73
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count excellent (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
2 card slots
no liveview feature
no Timelapse recording
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z6 II as a Vlogging camera
Sony A850 as a Vlogging camera
36
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external microphone socket
does not have a selfie friendly display
9
no video recording
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z6 II and Sony A850
 Nikon Z6 Mark IISony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Z6 Mark II Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2020-10-14 2010-04-15
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-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 25 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6048 x 4024 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 51200 3200
Highest boosted ISO 204800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 273 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 15 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 2,100 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 14.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 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 / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 56 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 56 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 705 grams (1.55 lb) 895 grams (1.97 lb)
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 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 410 photographs 880 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type CFexpress Type B / XQD Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots Dual Dual
Price at launch $1,997 $0