Sony a850 vs Nikon D5

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a850 and Nikon D5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a850 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a850 were released 2009 and Nikon D5 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 D5 2016

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a850 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D5 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 a850 has a 25 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5 has 21 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 D5 21 MP
20742656 pixels
5588 x 3712

Sony a850 has a 18 % larger resolution than Nikon D5. 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 D5 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a850. Nikon D5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Sony a850 has 200 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a850 200-3200
Nikon D5 100-102400

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 a850
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5

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 D5 can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a850 3
Nikon D5 14

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 D5. 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.

Nikon D5 weighs 1415 gr (equal to 3.12 lb) which is 58% heavier than Sony a850 and its 895 gr (or 1.97 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a850 895 gr
1.97 lb
Nikon D5 1415 gr
3.12 lb

Sony a850 vs Nikon D5 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a850 and Nikon D5, 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 D5
Name Sony a850 Nikon D5
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a850
Nikon D5
Release Year 2009 2016
Release Date 2009-08-27 2016-01-05
MSRP 1999 USD 6499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a850
Nikon D5
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a850
Nikon D5
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6048 x 4032 pixels 5588 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 25 MP 21 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 5
Image
Sony a850
Nikon D5
ISO Range 200 - 3200 100 - 102400
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 D5
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 153
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
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 a850
Nikon D5
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 921600 2359000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type TFT Xtra Fine color LCD TFT LCD
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 98% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.74× 0.72×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Sony a850
Nikon D5
Frames per second 3 fps 14 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A 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, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a850
Nikon D5
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a850
Nikon D5
Memory Card Compact Flash
Memory Stick Pro Duo
Compact Flash
XQD
Connectivity
Sony a850
Nikon D5
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Optional with WT-5A or WT-6A
Remote Control Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Sony a850
Nikon D5
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL18a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 880 shots 3780 shots
Width 156 mm 160 mm
Height 117 mm 159 mm
Depth 82 mm 92 mm
Weight 895 gram 1415 gram