Sony a57 vs Nikon D850

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a57 and Nikon D850. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a57 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D850 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a57 were released 2012 and Nikon D850 was released 2017. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a57 2012
Nikon D850 2017

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a57 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D850 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 D850 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 D850 has 46 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 D850 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon D850 has a 183 % 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 D850 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a57. Nikon D850 has an ISO range that stretches from 64 to 25600 while Sony a57 has 100 to 16000.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a57 100-16000
Nikon D850 64-25600

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 D850

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 D850 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a57 12
Nikon D850 9

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 D850 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 D850 weighs 1005 gr (equal to 2.22 lb) which is 63% heavier than Sony a57 and its 618 gr (or 1.36 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a57 618 gr
1.36 lb
Nikon D850 1005 gr
2.22 lb

Sony a57 vs Nikon D850 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a57 and Nikon D850, 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 a57
Nikon D850
Name Sony a57 Nikon D850
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a57
Nikon D850
Release Year 2012 2017
Release Date 2012-03-13 2017-07-25
MSRP 699 USD 3299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a57
Nikon D850
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a57
Nikon D850
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 BSI-CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 46 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 5
Image
Sony a57
Nikon D850
ISO Range 100 - 16000 64 - 25600
White Balance Presets 9 14
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 a57
Nikon D850
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 15 151
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 a57
Nikon D850
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 921000 2359000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.04× (0.69× 35mm equiv.) 0.75×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Sony a57
Nikon D850
Frames per second 12 fps 9 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
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a57
Nikon D850
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
MPEG4
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a57
Nikon D850
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
XQD
Connectivity
Sony a57
Nikon D850
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Built-In ( 802.11b/g + NFC + Bluetooth 4.1 LE)
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a57
Nikon D850
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
EN-EL15a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 550 shots 1840 shots
Width 132 mm 146 mm
Height 98 mm 124 mm
Depth 81 mm 79 mm
Weight 618 gram 1005 gram