Sony a850 vs Nikon D750
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a850 and Nikon D750. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a850 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D750 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a850 were released 2009 and Nikon D750 was released 2014. 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 D750 | 2014 |
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 D750 | 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 D750 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 D750 |
24 MP
24160256 pixels 6016 x 4016 |
Sony a850 has a 1 % larger resolution than Nikon D750. 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 D750 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a850. Nikon D750 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Sony a850 has 200 to 3200.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a850 | 200-3200 |
Nikon D750 | 100-12800 |
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 D750
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 D750 can shoot up to 6,5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a850 | 3 |
Nikon D750 | 6,5 |
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 D750. 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 19% heavier than Nikon D750 and its 750 gr (or 1.65 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a850 | 895 gr 1.97 lb |
Nikon D750 | 750 gr 1.65 lb |
Sony a850 vs Nikon D750 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a850 and Nikon D750, 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 D750 |
Name | Sony a850 | Nikon D750 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D750 |
Release Year | 2009 | 2014 |
Release Date | 2009-08-27 | 2014-09-12 |
MSRP | 1999 USD | 2299 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D750 |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D750 |
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 | 6016 x 4016 pixels |
Megapixels | 25 MP | 24 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 4 |
Image |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D750 |
ISO Range | 200 - 3200 | 100 - 12800 |
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 D750 |
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 Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 9 | 51 |
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 D750 |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3,2” |
Screen dots | 921600 | 1229000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
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× | 0.7× |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D750 |
Frames per second | 3 fps | 6,5 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 | 12 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | No |
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, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D750 |
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 D750 |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash Memory Stick Pro Duo |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D750 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | Yes |
Wireless | No |
Yes Built-in |
Remote Control | Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) | Yes (Wired or wireless) |
GPS | No |
Yes Optional through GP-1/GP-1A |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a850 |
Nikon D750 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
|
EN-EL15 lithium-ion battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 880 shots | 1230 shots |
Width | 156 mm | 141 mm |
Height | 117 mm | 113 mm |
Depth | 82 mm | 78 mm |
Weight | 895 gram | 750 gram |