• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Nikon D800 advantages over Sony A6400

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 410 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More pixels
    36.3 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A6400 advantages over Nikon D800

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    59 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    6 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    87 vs 54 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    42 vs 18 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon D800

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Review Excerpt

  • Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.

  • Very large files; Slower frame rate; Custom white balance gives a greenish tint; Battery life lower than D700.

  • Read our Nikon D800 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D800
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D800 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A6400
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony A6400 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D800E

Nikon D800
Nikon D800E
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D800 vs Nikon D800E

Sony A6400
Nikon D800E
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony A6400 vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Nikon D810

Nikon D800
Nikon D810
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D800 vs Nikon D810

Sony A6400
Nikon D810
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony A6400 vs Nikon D810

Compared to Fujifilm X-T100

Nikon D800
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D800 vs Fujifilm X-T100

Sony A6400
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Fast startup
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A6400 vs Fujifilm X-T100

Compared to Sony A6100

Nikon D800
Sony A6100
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D800 vs Sony A6100

Sony A6400
Sony A6100
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A6400 vs Sony A6100

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