Sony FX30 vs Nikon D810

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony FX30 and Nikon D810. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony FX30 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D810 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony FX30 were released 2022 and Nikon D810 was released 2014. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony FX30 2022
Nikon D810 2014

Type of camera

Sony FX30 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D810 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony FX30 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D810 has a "Nikon FX"-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 FX30 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
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 FX30 has a 26 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 FX30 26 MP
25560576 pixels
6192 x 4128
Nikon D810 36 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon D810 has a 41 % larger resolution than Sony FX30. 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 FX30 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D810. Sony FX30 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 32000 while Nikon D810 has 64 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony FX30 100-32000
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 FX30
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 FX30 can shoot up to 1 pictures per seconds and Nikon D810 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony FX30 1
Nikon D810 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 D810. Sadly, the Sony FX30 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 D810 weighs 980 gr (equal to 2.16 lb) which is 52% heavier than Sony FX30 and its 646 gr (or 1.42 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony FX30 646 gr
1.42 lb
Nikon D810 980 gr
2.16 lb

Sony FX30 vs Nikon D810 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony FX30 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 FX30
Nikon D810
Name Sony FX30 Nikon D810
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony FX30
Nikon D810
Release Year 2022 2014
Release Date 2022-09-28 2014-06-26
MSRP 1799 USD 3299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony FX30
Nikon D810
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony FX30
Nikon D810
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6192 x 4128 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 26 MP 36 MP
Image Processor BIONZ XR EXPEED 4
Image
Sony FX30
Nikon D810
ISO Range 100 - 32000 64 - 12800
White Balance Presets 8 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift (5-axis))
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 5.5 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Sony FX30
Nikon D810
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 759 51
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (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
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 FX30
Nikon D810
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots N/A 1229000
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type N/A TFT-LCD (WRGB)
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type No Viewfinder Optical (tunnel)
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution 0 N/A
Photography features
Sony FX30
Nikon D810
Frames per second 1 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
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Partial
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation N/A +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony FX30
Nikon D810
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony FX30
Nikon D810
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony FX30
Nikon D810
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac)
Yes
Optional via WT-5A or Eye-Fi
Remote Control Supported (no further information) Yes
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1 or GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Sony FX30
Nikon D810
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100
EN-EL15 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 570 shots 1200 shots
Width 78 mm 146 mm
Height 130 mm 123 mm
Depth 85 mm 82 mm
Weight 646 gram 980 gram