Nikon D850 vs Sony RX100 VA

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Nikon D850 vs Sony RX100 VA

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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.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 VA Review.

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Differences

Nikon D850 advantages over Sony RX100 VA

Larger sensor
35mm vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.35 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer video battery life
70 vs 35 minutes
Capture more video
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 220 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher-res screen
590k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More viewfinder magnification
0.75x vs 0.59x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
45.7 vs 20.1 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
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 103 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony RX100 VA advantages over Nikon D850

Less expensive
$998 vs $2197
Save money for lenses or accessories
Slower slow-motion
1000 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
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
41 mm vs 78 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
299g vs 915g
Lighter weight
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
23.9 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
23.9 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

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

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Read D850 User Reviews

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Sony RX100 VA

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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

We haven’t reviewed the Sony RX100 VA.
Read our Sony RX100 VA Initial Test

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 RX100 VA

Canon 5DS R

$998
1 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$1849
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 VA 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 RX100 VA

Sony A99 II

$998
1 inch

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

$3198
35mm

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Sony A99 II

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Nikon D850

Sony RX100 V

$2464
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
1 inch

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 VA

Sony RX100 V

$998
1 inch

Bigger JPEG buffer
Bigger RAW buffer

$998
1 inch

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Sony RX100 V

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 RX100 VA

Pentax K-1 II

$998
1 inch

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Sony ZV-1

Nikon D850

Sony ZV-1

$2464
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$800
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony ZV-1

Sony RX100 VA

Sony ZV-1

$998
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Internal flash

$800
1 inch

Touchscreen
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Sony ZV-1

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