Sony A9 vs Nikon D850

Cameras
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Sony A9 vs Nikon D850

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

Go in depth with our full Sony A9 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A9.
Compare Sony A9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A9 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 A9 II
Compare A9 vs A9 II
Compare Sony A9 II vs Nikon D850

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Differences

Sony A9 advantages over Nikon D850

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.
A9 test data on DxO Mark D850 test data on DxO Mark

3,517 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
673g vs 915g
Lighter weight
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
364 vs 200 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 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
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 102400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D850 advantages over Sony A9

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$2197 vs $2995
Save money for lenses or accessories
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D850 test data on DxO Mark A9 test data on DxO Mark

14.8 vs 13.3 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
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 650 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 0.22 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
45.7 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos

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 A9 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony A9

Body Only

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Buy the Nikon D850

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaker's Kit

All D850 Deals

Review Excerpt

New sensor offers incredible performance; Excellent image quality at low & high ISOs; Very good dynamic range; Phenomenal 20fps burst speed & deep buffer; Very good battery life for a mirrorless; 4K video; Dual card slots.
Slow buffer clearing; Only one card slot is UHS-II compatible; Touchscreen underutilized; No lossless RAW compression option; No 4K/60p option.
Read our Sony A9 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 Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$2997
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

Compare Sony A9 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 A9

Sony A99 II

$2997
35mm

Bigger pixels
Touchscreen

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A9 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 Sony A7R III

Sony A9

Sony A7R III

$2997
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$2151
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A7R III

Nikon D850

Sony A7R III

$2464
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

$2151
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A7R III

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Sony A9

Pentax K-1 II

$2997
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

$1747
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A9 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

Compared to Sony A9 II

Sony A9

Sony A9 II

$2997
35mm

Less expensive

$4498
35mm

Newer

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A9 II

Nikon D850

Sony A9 II

$2464
35mm

Less expensive
Lens selection

$4498
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A9 II

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