Nikon D850 vs Sony A7R IV

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Nikon D850 vs Sony A7R IV

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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 849.7mm²
61.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A7R IV Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7R IV in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7R IV.
Compare Sony A7R IV image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7R IV conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A7R V

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Differences

Nikon D850 advantages over Sony A7R IV

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$2197 vs $2998
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 4.35 vs 3.76 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 1.3 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 670 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
Less shutter lag
0.08 vs 0.20 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 70 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 32 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Sony A7R IV advantages over Nikon D850

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
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.
A7R IV test data on DxO Mark D850 test data on DxO Mark

3,344 vs 2,660 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer video battery life
105 vs 70 minutes
Capture more video
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Lighter weight
665g vs 915g
Lighter weight
More pixels
61.0 vs 45.7 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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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Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7R IV 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

Outstanding image quality; Excellent high ISOs; Fast AF performance with Eye-AF tracking; 10fps bursts at full-resolution; Improved ergonomics; Dual UHS-II card slots; Higher-res EVF.
Expensive; No 4Kp60; Buffer clearing could be faster; Menus are still frustrating; Touchscreen underutilized; No built-in flash.
Read our Sony A7R IV 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 A7R IV

Canon 5D Mark IV

$3220
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2249
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R IV 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 A7R IV

Sony A99 II

$3220
35mm

Touchscreen
High resolution composite

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R IV 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 A7R IV

Pentax K-1 II

$3220
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Pentax K-1 II

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 A7R IV

Canon R5

$3220
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$3349
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Canon R5

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Nikon D850

Nikon Z7 II

$2597
35mm

Less expensive

$2497
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer video battery life

Compare Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z7 II

Sony A7R IV

Nikon Z7 II

$3220
35mm

High resolution composite
NFC

$2497
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A7R IV vs Nikon Z7 II

Compare Other Cameras?