Sony RX1R II vs Nikon D850

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Sony RX1R II vs Nikon D850

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35mm 861.6mm²
42.4 megapixels
35.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX1R II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX1R II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX1R II.
Compare Sony RX1R II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX1R II 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.

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Differences

Sony RX1R II advantages over Nikon D850

In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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.
RX1R II test data on DxO Mark D850 test data on DxO Mark

3,204 vs 2,660 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lighter weight
507g vs 915g
Lighter weight
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Nikon D850 advantages over Sony RX1R II

Less expensive
$2197 vs $3298
Save money for lenses or accessories
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 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer video battery life
70 vs 30 minutes
Capture more video
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 220 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 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.08 vs 0.26 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 24 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 23 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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
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 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 RX1R II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

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Sony RX1R II

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Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaker's Kit

All D850 Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality; Extremely high resolution; Surprisingly good high ISO performance; Outstanding dynamic range; Handy variable low-pass filter; Fast phase-detect AF; Built-in EVF.
Fixed, single focal length lens; Poor battery life; No built-in flash; No touchscreen LCD; Slow buffer clearing; No 4K video; Expensive.
Read our Sony RX1R II 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 RX1

Sony RX1R II

Sony RX1

$3298
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

$2398
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX1R II vs Sony RX1

Nikon D850

Sony RX1

$2464
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

$2398
35mm

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony RX1

Compared to Sony RX1R

Sony RX1R II

Sony RX1R

$3298
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
Tiltable Screen

$2598
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX1R II vs Sony RX1R

Nikon D850

Sony RX1R

$2464
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

$2598
35mm

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony RX1R

Compared to Sony A99 II

Sony RX1R II

Sony A99 II

$3298
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Higher max flash sync

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony RX1R II 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 RX1R II

Pentax K-1 II

$3298
35mm

In-camera panoramas
NFC

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony RX1R II 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 Zeiss ZX1

Sony RX1R II

Zeiss ZX1

$3298
35mm

Focus peaking
Tiltable Screen

$6000
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony RX1R II vs Zeiss ZX1

Nikon D850

Zeiss ZX1

$2464
35mm

Focus peaking
Tiltable Screen

$6000
35mm

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Nikon D850 vs Zeiss ZX1

Compare Other Cameras?