Sony A7 vs Nikon D850

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Sony A7 vs Nikon D850

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35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

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

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.

Succeeded by the Sony A7 II
Compare A7 vs A7 II
Compare Sony A7 II vs Nikon D850

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Differences

Sony A7 advantages over Nikon D850

Less expensive
$819 vs $2197*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 4.35 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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
Thinner
48 mm vs 78 mm
Thinner
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon D850 advantages over Sony A7

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 2.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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.
D850 test data on DxO Mark A7 test data on DxO Mark

2,660 vs 2,248 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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 340 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Newer
7 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
590k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.08 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
45.7 vs 24.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 50 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 28 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 51200 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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
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 Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A7

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 lens

All A7 Deals

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Buy the Nikon D850

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaker's Kit

All D850 Deals

Review Excerpt

Incredibly small body for a fully-featured, full-frame camera; Very high resolution; Hybrid autofocus is reasonably fast and confident; Significantly better burst-shooting performance than A7R; Excellent image quality even at very high sensitivities; Faster x-sync than A7R; Accepts existing Alpha-mount and E-mount lenses, and can optionally crop to APS-C image circle.
Grass-is-greener syndrome when compared to its higher-res sibling; Moderate performance; Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Mediocre battery life when using electronic viewfinder; Weak low-light autofocus considering its price; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses.
Read our Sony A7 Review

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 Sony A7R

Sony A7

Sony A7R

$748
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$1399
35mm

Higher effective ISO
More pixels

Compare Sony A7 vs Sony A7R

Nikon D850

Sony A7R

$2464
35mm

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$1399
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A7R

Compared to Sony A7 II

Sony A7

Sony A7 II

$748
35mm

Less expensive

$1077
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A7 vs Sony A7 II

Nikon D850

Sony A7 II

$2464
35mm

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$1077
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A7 II

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$748
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$3802
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Nikon D850

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$2464
35mm

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$3802
35mm

Bigger pixels
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D850 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Sony A99 II

Sony A7

Sony A99 II

$748
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A7 vs 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

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Sony A7

Pentax K-1 II

$748
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$1747
35mm

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A7 vs 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

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