• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D700
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon D700 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor: Nikon D800
D700 vs D800
 
General
Model Number: D700 A850
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $2999.95 $1999.95
Street Price:   $2,219.00
Date Available: 2008-07-30 2009-10-08
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 38.6 oz (1,095 g)
includes batteries
30.0 oz (850 g)
Size: 5.8 x 4.8 x 3.0 in.
(147 x 123 x 77 mm)
6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 24.6
Sensor Format: 35mm 35mm
Sensor size: 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm) 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 8.46 microns 5.94 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 80 79
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.5 23.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 12.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 2,303 1,415
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4256 x 2832 (12.1 MP, 3:2),
3184 x 2120 (6.8 MP, 3:2),
2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2784 x 1848 (5.1 MP, Other),
2080 x 1384 (2.9 MP, 3:2),
1392 x 920 (1.3 MP, Other)
6048 x 4032 (24.4 MP, 3:2),
6048 x 3408 (20.6 MP, Other),
4400 x 2936 (12.9 MP, 3:2),
4400 x 2472 (10.9 MP, 16:9),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2),
2896 x 1928 (5.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 1704 (5.2 MP, Other),
1984 x 1320 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; TIFF JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 5.1 3.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No No
Movie Resolution:
Movie File Format:    
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: n/a n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):    
Focal Length (actual):    
Zoom Ratio:    
Aperture Range:    
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX with 15 cross-type and 36 line-type sensors 9-point TTL phase detection with 10 assist points, center dual-cross at f/2.8.
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD (playback only)
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentaprism, 95% coverage, 0.72x mag., 18mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentaprism with 98% coverage, 0.74x mag., 20mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.72x 0.74x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.72x 0.74x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 27.0x 19.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400 3200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 200
ISO Settings: 200 - 6400, plus down to 100 in Lo-1, up to 25,600 in Hi-2 Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temperature from 2,500K to 9,900K, Custom (3)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: None  
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Front-curtain sync, Slow sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system n/a
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO-type hot-shoe, PC Sync terminal Hot shoe, PC-sync
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; TIFF RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0)
Movie File Format:    
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired Optional wired or wireless
Connections (extended): HDMI Out, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal (GPS and WT-4A compatible) DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.38 0.40
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.36 0.50
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 17 23
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 5.1 3.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 100 23
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.20 seconds 0.18 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.045 seconds 0.154 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.21 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.045 seconds 0.074 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Up to 8fps with MB-D10  
Startup Time: 0.4 seconds 0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 2.6 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 1000 shots 880 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL3e Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable or MB-D10 battery grip NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL3e Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Nikon Software Suite CD-ROM Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only).
OS Compatibility:   Windows 2000Pro/XP/Vista; Mac OS X (v 10.1.3+)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Full-frame 12MP FX CMOS sensor (same as D3) in more compact, magnesium-alloy prosumer body with weather sealing, Expeed processor, dust-reduction, virtual horizon indicator, Scene Recognition System, 51-point AF, 2 mode Live View, built-in flash, 150K shutter, Active D-Lighting with new Auto mode, Picture Control, Vignette Control, HDMI, GPS and WT-4A wireless transmitter support. Cost reduced Sony A900. Smaller viewfinder (98% vs 100%), slower burst mode (3 fps vs 5), wireless remote not included.