Nikon D810 vs Sony A1

Cameras
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Nikon D810 vs Sony A1

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35mm 861.6mm²
36.3 megapixels
ISO 64 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D810 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D810 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D810.
Compare Nikon D810 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D810 conclusion.

35mm 861.6mm²
50.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A1.
Compare Sony A1 image quality against competitors.

Succeeded by the Nikon D850
Compare D810 vs D850
Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A1

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Differences

Nikon D810 advantages over Sony A1

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$2079 vs $4998*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 4.88 vs 4.16 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1200 vs 530 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

Sony A1 advantages over Nikon D810

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
No vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
Higher max flash sync
1/400 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
4 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
737g vs 988g
Lighter weight
More viewfinder magnification
0.90x vs 0.70x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
50.1 vs 36.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
30.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
165 vs 57 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
155 vs 23 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 51200 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
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
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
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 panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D810 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A1 User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 24-120mm lens

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Buy the Sony A1

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Review Excerpt

Handles even better than its predecessors; Absolutely spectacular images from the 36-megapixel image sensor; Unusually wide sensitivity range for its resolution; Improved performance and buffer depths; Improved video feature set; Impressive low-light autofocus
Prone to moire and false color with some subjects; No longer available with a low-pass filter; Demands excellent lenses for the best detail; White balance tends warm under tungsten lighting
Read our Nikon D810 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Sony A1, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Sony A1 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D810

Canon 5D Mark IV

$2246
35mm

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$2099
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D810 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A1

Canon 5D Mark IV

$5498
35mm

Focus peaking
Slower slow-motion

$2099
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D800

Nikon D810

Nikon D800

$2246
35mm

Longer stills battery life
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1850
35mm

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D810 vs Nikon D800

Sony A1

Nikon D800

$5498
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1850
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A1 vs Nikon D800

Compared to Nikon D800E

Nikon D810

Nikon D800E

$2246
35mm

Longer stills battery life
Faster JPEG shooting

$2212
35mm

Fast startup

Compare Nikon D810 vs Nikon D800E

Sony A1

Nikon D800E

$5498
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2212
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A1 vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Nikon D810

Canon 5DS R

$2246
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

$1849
35mm

Less expensive
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D810 vs Canon 5DS R

Sony A1

Canon 5DS R

$5498
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1849
35mm

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Nikon D810

Sony A7R IV

$2246
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3120
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D810 vs Sony A7R IV

Sony A1

Sony A7R IV

$5498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Longer video battery life

$3120
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R IV

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