• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Sony A99 advantages over Nikon Df

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.13 vs 0.27 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon Df advantages over Sony A99

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.31 vs 5.97 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,279 vs 1,555 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1400 vs 500 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 3
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • More AF points
    39 vs 19
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 17 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    29 vs 18 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Same sensor and processor as professional D4; Great image quality; Arguably the best available-light shooter in its class; Handsome, retro styling; Weather-sealed design; Big, clear full-frame viewfinder; Excellent battery life

  • Expensive; Bulky, yet handgrip is quite modest; Some controls are clumsy; Plastic body panels don't gel with retro aesthetic; Autofocus isn't in the same league as image quality; No AF assist lamp; No movie capture; No portrait grip; Single card slot

The Competition

Compared to Sony A850

Sony A99
Sony A850
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Nikon Df
Sony A850
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Less shutter lag

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony A99
Nikon D800
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon Df
Nikon D800
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More dynamic range

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A99
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2799
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon Df
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2799
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack

Compared to Nikon D800E

Sony A99
Nikon D800E
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon Df
Nikon D800E
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Internal flash

Compared to Canon 6D

Sony A99
Canon 6D
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon Df
Canon 6D
  • $2768
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
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