• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Sony A99 advantages over Nikon S1

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 3.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Better color depth
    25.0 vs 21.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,555 vs 397 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 11.1 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your 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 max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 10.1 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
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S1 advantages over Sony A99

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $2800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 5.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon J1

Sony A99
Nikon J1
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
Nikon S1
Nikon J1
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Wider angle kit lens

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony A99
Nikon D800
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon S1
Nikon D800
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A99
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon S1
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Internal flash
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon D800E

Sony A99
Nikon D800E
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon S1
Nikon D800E
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon J2

Sony A99
Nikon J2
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
Nikon S1
Nikon J2
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Wider angle kit lens
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