Sony a1 vs Nikon D800

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a1 and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a1 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D800 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a1 were released 2021 and Nikon D800 was released 2012. That is a 9 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a1 2021
Nikon D800 2012

Type of camera

Sony a1 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D800 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a1 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D800 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a1 has a 50 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D800 has 36,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a1 50 MP
49766400 pixels
8640 x 5760
Nikon D800 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Sony a1 has a 38 % larger resolution than Nikon D800. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a1 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D800. Sony a1 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 32000 while Nikon D800 has 100 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a1 100-32000
Nikon D800 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a1
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D800

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a1 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a1 30
Nikon D800 6

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a1 and Nikon D800 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D800 weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 22% heavier than Sony a1 and its 737 gr (or 1.62 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a1 737 gr
1.62 lb
Nikon D800 900 gr
1.98 lb

Sony a1 vs Nikon D800 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a1 and Nikon D800, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a1
Nikon D800
Name Sony a1 Nikon D800
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a1
Nikon D800
Release Year 2021 2012
Release Date 2021-01-26 2012-02-07
MSRP 6499 USD 2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a1
Nikon D800
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a1
Nikon D800
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type Stacked CMOS CMOS
Resolution 8640 x 5760 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 50 MP 36,3 MP
Image Processor Dual Bionz XR EXPEED 3
Image
Sony a1
Nikon D800
ISO Range 100 - 32000 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 7 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a1
Nikon D800
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 759 51
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a1
Nikon D800
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 1440000 921000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.9× 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution 9437184 N/A
Photography features
Sony a1
Nikon D800
Frames per second 30 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a1
Nikon D800
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
H.265
XF-AVC
XAVC-S
XAVC-HS
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a1
Nikon D800
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a1
Nikon D800
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-In 802.11ac (Dual Band)
Yes
Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
Remote Control Yes (via Bluetooth or tethered PC) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a1
Nikon D800
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 530 shots 900 shots
Width 129 mm 146 mm
Height 97 mm 123 mm
Depth 81 mm 82 mm
Weight 737 gram 900 gram