Nikon D850 vs Sony a9 Specifications Comparison

Here is the quick overview and detailed specifications comparison of Nikon D850 vs Sony a9. You can take a look at the key differences between Nikon D850 DSLR camera and Sony a9 mirrorless camera.

Let’s have a brief look at the key features of Nikon D850 and Sony a9 before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Nikon D850 Key Features ($3,297 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama):

  • 45.7MP FX-Format BSI CMOS Sensor
  • EXPEED 5 Image Processor
  • 3.2″ 2.36m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
  • 4K UHD Video Recording at 30 fps
  • Multi-CAM 20K 153-Point AF System
  • Native ISO: 64-25600, Extended: 32-102400
  • 7 fps Shooting for 51 Frames with AE/AF
  • 8K Time-Lapse, Negative Digitizer Mode
  • 180k-Pixel RGB Sensor, Focus Shift Mode
  • SnapBridge Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

Sony a9 Key Features ($4,498 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama):

  • 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked CMOS Sensor
  • BIONZ X Image Processor & Front-End LSI
  • 693-Point AF System & 20 fps Shooting
  • Blackout-Free Quad-VGA 3.7m-Dot OLED EVF
  • Internal UHD 4K Video Recording
  • 5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization
  • 3.0″ 1.44m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
  • ISO 204,800, Silent Electronic Shutter
  • Built-In Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, Dual SD Slots
  • Integrated LAN and PC Sync Terminals

Nikon D850 vs Sony a9 Specifications Comparison

Features Nikon D850 Sony a9
Price $3,297 $4,498
Announced Aug 24, 2017 Apr 19, 2017
Sensor resolution 45.7MP 24.2MP
Max Resolution 8256 x 5504 6000 x 4000
Sensor size Full frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm) Full frame (35.9 x 23.8 mm)
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Processor Expeed 5 Bionz X
ISO Auto, 64-25600 (expands to 32-102400) Auto, ISO 100-51200 (expands to 50-204800)
Image stabilization No Sensor-shift
AF System Multi-CAM 20K 153-Point AF System 693-Point Phase-Detection AF
Number of focus points 151 693
Autofocus assist lamp No Yes
Manual focus Yes
Lens mount Nikon F Sony E
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3.2″ 3″
Screen dots 2,359,000 1,440,000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.75x 0.78x
Shutter Speed 30-1/8000 sec 30-1/8000 sec
Maximum shutter speed (electronic) 1/32000 sec
Built-in flash No No
Flash X Sync Speed 1/250 sec 1/250 sec
Continuous drive 9.0 fps 22.0 fps
Exposure Compensation ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Video Recording(max. res) 4K UHD Video Recording at 30 fps Internal UHD 4K Video at 30 or 24 fps
SD Slots SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (One of which UHS-II compatible)
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Microphone port Yes Yes
Headphone port Yes Yes
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Wireless Connectivity SnapBridge Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Built-In Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
Remote control Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone) Yes (Wired or wireless)
Environmentally Sealed Yes Yes
Battery Life (CIPA) 1840 650
Dimensions 146 x 124 x 79 mm 127 x 96 x 63 mm
Weight 1005 g (2.22 lb / 35.45 oz) 673 g (1.48 lb / 23.74 oz)
Orientation sensor Yes Yes
Timelapse recording Yes (4K or 8K movies)
GPS No No
Price $3,297 $4,498