Sony a900 vs Nikon Df

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a900 and Nikon Df. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a900 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Df is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a900 were released 2008 and Nikon Df was released 2013. That is a 5 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a900 2008
Nikon Df 2013

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 a900 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon Df 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 a900 has a 25 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Df has 16 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a900 25 MP
24385536 pixels
6048 x 4032
Nikon Df 16 MP
16163840 pixels
4928 x 3280

Sony a900 has a 51 % larger resolution than Nikon Df. 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 Df has a larger ISO-range than Sony a900. Nikon Df has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Sony a900 has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a900 100-1600
Nikon Df 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 a900
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Df

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a900 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon Df can shoot up to 5,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a900 5
Nikon Df 5,5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

Though, neither Sony a900 or Nikon Df 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 a900 weighs 895 gr (equal to 1.97 lb) which is 18% heavier than Nikon Df and its 760 gr (or 1.68 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a900 895 gr
1.97 lb
Nikon Df 760 gr
1.68 lb

Sony a900 vs Nikon Df Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a900 and Nikon Df, 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 a900
Nikon Df
Name Sony a900 Nikon Df
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a900
Nikon Df
Release Year 2008 2013
Release Date 2008-09-09 2013-11-05
MSRP 2999 USD 2749 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a900
Nikon Df
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a900
Nikon Df
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 4928 x 3280 pixels
Megapixels 25 MP 16 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 3
Image
Sony a900
Nikon Df
ISO Range 100 - 1600 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 + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Sony a900
Nikon Df
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
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 39
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 a900
Nikon Df
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
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 (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.74x 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a900
Nikon Df
Frames per second 5 fps 5,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 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 No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a900
Nikon Df
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 a900
Nikon Df
Memory Card Compact Flash
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a900
Nikon Df
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Optional via WU-1a wireless mobile adapter
Remote Control Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) Yes (Cable release, wireless remote)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1 or GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Sony a900
Nikon Df
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL14/EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 880 shots 1400 shots
Width 156 mm 144 mm
Height 117 mm 110 mm
Depth 82 mm 67 mm
Weight 895 gram 760 gram