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 |