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 |