Sony a850 vs Nikon D3400
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a850 and Nikon D3400. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a850 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3400 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a850 were released 2009 and Nikon D3400 was released 2016. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a850 | 2009 |
Nikon D3400 | 2016 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a850 has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Nikon D3400 has a "Nikon DX"-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 a850 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Nikon D3400 | 75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
** 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 a850 has a 25 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3400 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a850 |
25 MP
24385536 pixels 6048 x 4032 |
Nikon D3400 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Sony a850 has a 2 % larger resolution than Nikon D3400. 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 D3400 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a850. Nikon D3400 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a850 has 200 to 3200.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a850 | 200-3200 |
Nikon D3400 | 100-25600 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a850 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3400 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3400 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a850
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3400
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a850 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3400 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a850 | 3 |
Nikon D3400 | 5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D3400. Sadly, the Sony a850 does not support this.
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.
Sony a850 weighs 895 gr (equal to 1.97 lb) which is 127% heavier than Nikon D3400 and its 395 gr (or 0.87 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a850 | 895 gr 1.97 lb |
Nikon D3400 | 395 gr 0.87 lb |
Sony a850 vs Nikon D3400 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a850 and Nikon D3400, 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 a850 |
Nikon D3400 |
Name | Sony a850 | Nikon D3400 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D3400 |
Release Year | 2009 | 2016 |
Release Date | 2009-08-27 | 2016-08-17 |
MSRP | 1999 USD | 649 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D3400 |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D3400 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm) Also known as "DX" |
Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
Resolution | 6048 x 4032 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Megapixels | 25 MP | 24 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 4 |
Image |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D3400 |
ISO Range | 200 - 3200 | 100 - 25600 |
White Balance Presets | 7 | 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 a850 |
Nikon D3400 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | No |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 9 | 11 |
Lens Mount |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon F See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
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 |
DX / APS-C (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 |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D3400 |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 921600 | 921000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD | TFT-LCD |
Live view | No | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 98% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.74× | 0.57× (0.38× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D3400 |
Frames per second | 3 fps | 5 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 7 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D3400 |
Video recording | No | Yes |
Video format | N/A |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution | N/A |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | No | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D3400 |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash Memory Stick Pro Duo |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D3400 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No |
Yes Built-In SnapBridge (Bluetooth only) |
Remote Control | Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) | Yes (via smartphone or wireless remote) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D3400 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
|
EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 880 shots | 1200 shots |
Width | 156 mm | 124 mm |
Height | 117 mm | 98 mm |
Depth | 82 mm | 76 mm |
Weight | 895 gram | 395 gram |