Sony a65 vs Nikon D800

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a65 and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a65 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D800 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a65 were released 2011 and Nikon D800 was released 2012. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a65 2011
Nikon D800 2012

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a65 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 a65 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 a65 has a 24 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 a65 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon D800 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon D800 has a 51 % larger resolution than Sony a65. 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 a65. Nikon D800 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a65 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a65 100-12800
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 a65
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 a65 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a65 10
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 a65 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 45% heavier than Sony a65 and its 622 gr (or 1.37 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a65 622 gr
1.37 lb
Nikon D800 900 gr
1.98 lb

Sony a65 vs Nikon D800 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a65 and Nikon D800, 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 a65
Nikon D800
Name Sony a65 Nikon D800
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a65
Nikon D800
Release Year 2011 2012
Release Date 2011-08-24 2012-02-07
MSRP 899 USD 2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a65
Nikon D800
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a65
Nikon D800
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 6000 x 4000 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 36,3 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 3
Image
Sony a65
Nikon D800
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 8 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 a65
Nikon D800
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
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 a65
Nikon D800
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 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
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 a65
Nikon D800
Frames per second 10 fps 6 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 Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a65
Nikon D800
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 Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a65
Nikon D800
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a65
Nikon D800
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS Yes
Built-in
Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a65
Nikon D800
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 510 shots 900 shots
Width 132 mm 146 mm
Height 97 mm 123 mm
Depth 81 mm 82 mm
Weight 622 gram 900 gram