Sony a55 vs Nikon D4

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a55 and Nikon D4. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a55 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D4 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a55 were released 2010 and Nikon D4 was released 2012. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a55 2010
Nikon D4 2012

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a55 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D4 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a55 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D4 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 a55 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D4 has 16,2 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a55 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Nikon D4 16,2 MP
16163840 pixels
4928 x 3280

Nikon D4 has a 1 % larger resolution than Sony a55. 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

Nikon D4 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a55. Nikon D4 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 204800 while Sony a55 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a55 100-12800
Nikon D4 100-204800

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 a55
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D4

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a55 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon D4 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a55 10
Nikon D4 11

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a55 and Nikon D4 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 D4 weighs 1340 gr (equal to 2.95 lb) which is 168% heavier than Sony a55 and its 500 gr (or 1.1 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a55 500 gr
1.1 lb
Nikon D4 1340 gr
2.95 lb

Sony a55 vs Nikon D4 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a55 and Nikon D4, 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 a55
Nikon D4
Name Sony a55 Nikon D4
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a55
Nikon D4
Release Year 2010 2012
Release Date 2010-08-24 2012-01-06
MSRP 749 USD 5999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a55
Nikon D4
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a55
Nikon D4
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 4928 x 3280 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 16,2 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 3
Image
Sony a55
Nikon D4
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 204800
White Balance Presets 6 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 a55
Nikon D4
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 15 51
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 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 a55
Nikon D4
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 921000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT color LCD with brightness control
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a55
Nikon D4
Frames per second 10 fps 11 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a55
Nikon D4
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a55
Nikon D4
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
XQD
Connectivity
Sony a55
Nikon D4
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Optional via WT-5, WT-5A
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (via ten-pin remote terminal)
GPS Yes
Built-in
Yes
GP-1 or GPS device compliant with NMEA0183 version 2.01 or 3.01 (requires optional MC-35 GPS adapter cord and cable with D-sub 9-pin connector)
Body & Dimensions
Sony a55
Nikon D4
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL18 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 380 shots N/A
Width 124 mm 160 mm
Height 92 mm 157 mm
Depth 85 mm 91 mm
Weight 500 gram 1340 gram