Sony a99 vs Nikon D810

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a99 and Nikon D810. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a99 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D810 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a99 were released 2012 and Nikon D810 was released 2014. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a99 2012
Nikon D810 2014

Type of camera

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 a99 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D810 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 a99 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D810 has 36 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a99 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000
Nikon D810 36 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon D810 has a 51 % larger resolution than Sony a99. 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 a99 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D810. Sony a99 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D810 has 64 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a99 100-25600
Nikon D810 64-12800

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 a99
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D810

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a99 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds and Nikon D810 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a99 6
Nikon D810 5

Ability to record movies

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

In this case, both Sony a99 and Nikon D810 can shoot movies.

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 D810 weighs 980 gr (equal to 2.16 lb) which is 21% heavier than Sony a99 and its 812 gr (or 1.79 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a99 812 gr
1.79 lb
Nikon D810 980 gr
2.16 lb

Sony a99 vs Nikon D810 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a99 and Nikon D810, 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 a99
Nikon D810
Name Sony a99 Nikon D810
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a99
Nikon D810
Release Year 2012 2014
Release Date 2012-09-12 2014-06-26
MSRP 2799 USD 3299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a99
Nikon D810
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a99
Nikon D810
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 6000 x 4000 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 24 MP 36 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 4
Image
Sony a99
Nikon D810
ISO Range 100 - 25600 64 - 12800
White Balance Presets 8 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 a99
Nikon D810
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 19 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 a99
Nikon D810
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 1229000 1229000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT Xtra Fine color LCD TFT-LCD (WRGB)
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (tunnel)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71× 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a99
Nikon D810
Frames per second 6 fps 5 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 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 +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a99
Nikon D810
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a99
Nikon D810
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a99
Nikon D810
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Optional via WT-5A or Eye-Fi
Remote Control Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) Yes
GPS Yes
Built-in
Yes
Optional with GP-1 or GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Sony a99
Nikon D810
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL15 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 500 shots 1200 shots
Width 147 mm 146 mm
Height 111 mm 123 mm
Depth 78 mm 82 mm
Weight 812 gram 980 gram