Nikon D850 vs Sony A7 III

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Nikon D850 vs Sony A7 III

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35mm 858.0mm²
45.7 megapixels
ISO 64 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D850 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D850 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D850.
Compare Nikon D850 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D850 conclusion.

35mm 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 III Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7 III.
Compare Sony A7 III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 III conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A7 IV
Compare A7 III vs A7 IV
Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A7 IV

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Differences

Nikon D850 advantages over Sony A7 III

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 1.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

1840 vs 710 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 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More pixels
45.7 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 33 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Sony A7 III advantages over Nikon D850

Less expensive
$1498 vs $2197*
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 5.93 vs 4.35 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A7 III test data on DxO Mark D850 test data on DxO Mark

3,730 vs 2,660 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer video battery life
115 vs 70 minutes
Capture more video
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
9.9 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.7 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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

Amazon
Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7 III User Reviews

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Filmmaker's Kit

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Body Only
Kit with 28-70mm Lens

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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

New 24MP sensor offers excellent image quality; Outstanding high ISO performance and dynamic range; Improved JPEG colors; Improved build quality; Fast autofocus; Excellent 4K video; Very good battery life.
Buffer clearing can be slow even with fast UHS-II cards; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No losslessly compressed RAW option; Dedicated battery charger not included; Menus are still confusing; No built-in flash.
Read our Sony A7 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Nikon D850

Canon 5DS R

$2464
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1849
35mm

Less expensive

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon 5DS R

Sony A7 III

Canon 5DS R

$1531
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1849
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7 III vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

$2464
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II

Sony A7 III

Sony A99 II

$1531
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A7 III vs Sony A99 II

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II

$2464
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-1 II

Sony A7 III

Pentax K-1 II

$1531
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$1747
35mm

Lens selection
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A7 III vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Nikon Z6

Nikon D850

Nikon Z6

$2464
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$1396
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z6

Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6

$1531
35mm

Less expensive
NFC

$1396
35mm

Top deck display
More dots on screen

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon Z6

Compared to Nikon Z6 II

Nikon D850

Nikon Z6 II

$2464
35mm

More pixels
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1747
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z6 II

Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6 II

$1531
35mm

Less expensive
NFC

$1747
35mm

Top deck display
Newer

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon Z6 II

Compare Other Cameras?