Sony a55 vs Nikon D810

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a55 and Nikon D810. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a55 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D810 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a55 were released 2010 and Nikon D810 was released 2014. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a55 2010
Nikon D810 2014

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a55 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D810 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 D810 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 D810 has 36 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 D810 36 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon D810 has a 125 % 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 D810 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a55. Nikon D810 has an ISO range that stretches from 64 to 12800 while Sony a55 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a55 100-12800
Nikon D810 64-12800

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 D810

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 D810 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a55 10
Nikon D810 5

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 D810 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 D810 weighs 980 gr (equal to 2.16 lb) which is 96% heavier than Sony a55 and its 500 gr (or 1.1 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a55 500 gr
1.1 lb
Nikon D810 980 gr
2.16 lb

Sony a55 vs Nikon D810 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a55 and Nikon D810, 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 D810
Name Sony a55 Nikon D810
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a55
Nikon D810
Release Year 2010 2014
Release Date 2010-08-24 2014-06-26
MSRP 749 USD 3299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a55
Nikon D810
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a55
Nikon D810
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 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 36 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 4
Image
Sony a55
Nikon D810
ISO Range 100 - 12800 64 - 12800
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 + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Sony a55
Nikon D810
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
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 D810
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 921000 1229000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT-LCD (WRGB)
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (tunnel)
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 D810
Frames per second 10 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight 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 D810
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 D810
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a55
Nikon D810
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Optional via WT-5A or Eye-Fi
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes
GPS Yes
Built-in
Yes
Optional with GP-1 or GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Sony a55
Nikon D810
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
EN-EL15 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 380 shots 1200 shots
Width 124 mm 146 mm
Height 92 mm 123 mm
Depth 85 mm 82 mm
Weight 500 gram 980 gram