Sony a850 vs Nikon D70
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a850 and Nikon D70. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a850 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D70 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a850 were released 2009 and Nikon D70 was released 2004. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a850 | 2009 |
Nikon D70 | 2004 |
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 D70 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 D70 | 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 D70 has 6 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 D70 |
6 MP
6016000 pixels 3008 x 2000 |
Sony a850 has a 305 % larger resolution than Nikon D70. 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
Sony a850 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D70. Sony a850 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 3200 while Nikon D70 has 200 to 1600.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a850 | 200-3200 |
Nikon D70 | 200-1600 |
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 D70
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 D70 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a850 | 3 |
Nikon D70 | 3 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
Though, neither Sony a850 or Nikon D70 can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.
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 32% heavier than Nikon D70 and its 679 gr (or 1.5 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a850 | 895 gr 1.97 lb |
Nikon D70 | 679 gr 1.5 lb |
Sony a850 vs Nikon D70 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a850 and Nikon D70, 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 D70 |
Name | Sony a850 | Nikon D70 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D70 |
Release Year | 2009 | 2004 |
Release Date | 2009-08-27 | 2004-01-28 |
MSRP | 1999 USD | 999 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D70 |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D70 |
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 | CCD |
Resolution | 6048 x 4032 pixels | 3008 x 2000 pixels |
Megapixels | 25 MP | 6 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration) |
Image |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D70 |
ISO Range | 200 - 3200 | 200 - 1600 |
White Balance Presets | 7 | 6 |
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 D70 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous |
Focus Points | 9 | 5 |
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 D70 |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 1,8” |
Screen dots | 921600 | 130000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD | N/A |
Live view | No | No |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 98% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.74× | 0.75× (0.5× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D70 |
Frames per second | 3 fps | 3 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | 11 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, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D70 |
Video recording | No | No |
Video format | N/A | N/A |
Video resolution | N/A | N/A |
Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Built-in Speakers | No | No |
Storage |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D70 |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Compact Flash |
Connectivity |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D70 |
HDMI Output | Yes | No |
Microphone Port | No | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No | No |
Remote Control | Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) |
Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
|
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D70 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
|
Nikon EN-EL3 Lithium-Ion & charger included
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 880 shots | 400 shots |
Width | 156 mm | 140 mm |
Height | 117 mm | 111 mm |
Depth | 82 mm | 78 mm |
Weight | 895 gram | 679 gram |