• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
  • Nikon D4
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Nikon D3S
D3S vs D4
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A850 D4
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1999.95 $5999.95
Street Price: $2,219.00 $4,499.95
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2012-02-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.0 oz (850 g) 47.5 oz (1,347 g)
includes batteries
Size: 6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
6.3 x 6.2 x 3.6 in.
(160 x 157 x 91 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 24.6 16.2
Sensor Format: 35mm 35mm
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 860.4mm2 (36.00mm x 23.90mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.94 microns 7.31 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 79 89
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.8 24.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 13.1
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,415 2,965
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 6048 x 4032 (24.4 MP, 3:2),
6048 x 3408 (20.6 MP, Other),
4400 x 2936 (12.9 MP, 3:2),
4400 x 2472 (10.9 MP, 16:9),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2),
2896 x 1928 (5.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 1704 (5.2 MP, Other),
1984 x 1320 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
4928 x 3280 (16.2 MP, 3:2),
3696 x 2456 (9.1 MP, 3:2),
2464 x 1640 (4.0 MP, 3:2),
4096 x 2720 (11.1 MP, Other),
3072 x 2040 (6.3 MP, Other),
2048 x 1360 (2.8 MP, Other),
3200 x 2128 (6.8 MP, 3:2),
2400 x 1592 (3.8 MP, Other),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
4096 x 3280 (13.4 MP, 5:4),
3072 x 2456 (7.5 MP, 5:4),
2048 x 1640 (3.4 MP, 5:4)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) JPEG, NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG; TIFF (RGB)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 11.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p)
640x424 (30p/​25p)
Movie File Format:   MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Linear PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Nikon F
Lens: n/a n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):    
Focal Length (actual):    
Zoom Ratio:    
Aperture Range:    
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a  
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection with 10 assist points, center dual-cross at f/2.8. Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection, fine-tuning, and 51 focus points (including 15 cross-type sensors with f/8 supported by 11 sensors)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism with 98% coverage, 0.74x mag., 20mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter SLR; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x magnification, 18mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.74x 0.70x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.74x 0.70x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 19.0x 46.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400 Auto, 100 - 12,800, plus down to 50 in Lo-1, up to 204,800 in Hi-4
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temperature from 2,500K to 9,900K, Custom (3) Auto (2 types), incandescent, fluorescent (7 types), direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade, preset manual (up to 4 values can be stored), choose color temperature (2500 K-10000 K), all with fine-tuning
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot 91K-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering III, Center-weighted (75% given to 8, 12, 15 or 20mm circle), Spot (4mm) centered on selected focus area
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   None
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2/5/10/20s; 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: n/a Front curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, Auto FP High-Speed Sync supported
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe, PC-sync ISO 518 hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive CF1 / XQD
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:   UDMA7 compliant
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed; RAW+JPEG; TIFF (RGB)
Movie File Format:   MOV (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC; Audio: Linear PCM)
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,Ethernet
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless Optional wired, wireless
Connections (extended): DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack Type-C mini HDMI with uncompressed video support, DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal, Audio input (stereo 3.5mm jack with power), Audio output (stereo 3.5mm jack), Peripheral connector for WT-5
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.40 0.41
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.50 0.39
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 23 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.39
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.0 11.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 23 Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   11.1
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   Unlimited
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   11.1
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   62
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.21 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):   1.50 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.197 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.154 seconds 0.043 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.043 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   OVF: Full Autofocus lag, 51-point Auto Area = 0.254s Live View: Full Autofocus lag = 1.497s Prefocused lag: 0.197s
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 880 shots 2600 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary EN-EL18 (10.8v 2000mAh)
Usable Battery Types: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL18 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only). Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000Pro/XP/Vista; Mac OS X (v 10.1.3+)  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Cost reduced Sony A900. Smaller viewfinder (98% vs 100%), slower burst mode (3 fps vs 5), wireless remote not included. 16.2-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor, Expeed 3 processor, Upgraded 51-point AF module, 91K-pixel RGB exposure sensor, Bursts up to 10 fps with AE/AF, 11 fps with AF/AE locked, Full HD video capture, Dual Compact Flash and XQD card slots, Ethernet port, Illuminated controls, External headphone and mic jacks.