Sony a57 vs Nikon D800

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a57 and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Sony a57

Nikon D800

Manufacturing

Sony a57 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D800 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2012.

Camera	Released
Sony a57	2012
Nikon D800	2012

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a57 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D800 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 a57	75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
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 a57 has a 16 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 a57	16 MP 16032768 pixels 4912 x 3264
Nikon D800	36,3 MP 36152320 pixels 7360 x 4912

Nikon D800 has a 125 % larger resolution than Sony a57. 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 D800 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a57. Nikon D800 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a57 has 100 to 16000.

Camera	ISO Range
Sony a57	100-16000
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 a57
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 a57 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a57	12
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 a57 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 46% heavier than Sony a57 and its 618 gr (or 1.36 lb).

Camera	Weight
Sony a57	618 gr 1.36 lb
Nikon D800	900 gr 1.98 lb