• 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 45.7 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 50.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Nikon D850 advantages over Sony A1

  • Less expensive
    $2197 vs $6498
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1840 vs 530 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher-res screen
    590k vs 360k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition

Sony A1 advantages over Nikon D850

  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer video battery life
    150 vs 70 minutes
    Capture more video
  • 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 7 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.90x vs 0.75x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Class-leading resolution; Excellent dynamic range; Very good high ISO performance; Very fast AF and burst shooting; Durable weather-sealed body; Improved ergonomics; Touchscreen; Dual card slots; 4K video.

  • Live view/video mode still uses sluggish contrast-detect AF; Viewfinder only tests at ~98% coverage; No 4K at 60p; 30-minute video clip limit; Focus peaking not supported with 4K.

  • Read our Nikon D850 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D850
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • NFC

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A1
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Sony A99 II

Nikon D850
Sony A99 II
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II

Sony A1
Sony A99 II
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Touchscreen
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A99 II

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850
Pentax K-1 II
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-1 II

Sony A1
Pentax K-1 II
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A1 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Nikon D850
Sony A7R IV
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3220
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A7R IV

Sony A1
Sony A7R IV
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer video battery life
  • $3220
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R IV

Compared to Canon R5

Nikon D850
Canon R5
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon R5

Sony A1
Canon R5
  • $6498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

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