Are you looking for the best camera to suit your needs? Due to a wide range of options, making a wise and weighted decision can be rather challenging. Which specs to keep in mind? What are the key pros and cons of each model? This comparison should give some helpful hints!
In this review, we are going to make a detailed comparison of two cameras that fall into different categories. While the first model we are looking at, Nikon D850 belongs to a Semi-Pro DSLR category, the other model, Nikon D850 is a Pro Mirrorless camera. Nikon D850 is equipped with a 46.0 MP BSI-CMOS sensor, while Sony Alpha A7 III comes with a 24.0 MP BSI-CMOS sensor.
Both cameras we are going to look at in our overview fall into two different categories - DSLR and MirrorLess. Keeping in mind all the distinctive features of each category, it will be hard to make a detailed comparison of these two models. However, we will do our best to make this review as unbiased and detailed as possible.
To get started, let’s take a look at some of the key features of Nikon D850 and Sony Alpha A7 III and, after this, we can go on to our detailed comparison of these models.
Nikon D850 Key Features:
Sony Alpha A7 III Key Features:
Nikon D850 substituted Nikon D810.
Be sure to check out some of our other overviews that may also interest you:
Nikon D850 vs. D810
Nikon D810 vs. Sony Alpha A7 III
Sensor Resolution | 46.0 MP vs 24.0 MP | 47.8% more pixels |
Sensor Area | 858.01 mm2 vs 852.04 mm2 | 0.7% larger pixel area |
Screen Size | 3.2″ vs 3″ | 0.2" larger screen |
Screen Resolution | 2,359k dots vs 922k dots | 60.9% higher resolution screen |
Battery Life | 1840 shots vs 610 shots | 1230 more frames with a single charge |
Dxo Color Depth | 26.4 vs 25 | Better color depth |
Dxo Dynamic Range | 14.8 vs 14.7 | Better dynamic range |
Image Stabilization | Yes vs No | All lenses are stabilized |
Continuous Shooting | 10 fps vs 7 fps | 3 fps faster |
Number Of Focus Points | 693 vs 153 | 540 more focus points |
Weight | 650 g vs 1015 g | 365 g lighter |
Dxo Low Light Iso | 3730 vs 2660 | Better High ISO performance |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78 vs 0.75 | 0.03 better magnification |
Touch Screen | Yes | Yes | Easy control of camera functions |
Screen Size | 3.2″ | 3″ | Large display |
Screen Type | Tilting | Tilting | Help viewing and changing settings easily |
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic | Better framing and control |
Raw Support | Yes | Yes | Better image quality |
Sensor Resolution | 46.0 MP | 24.0 MP | Bigger prints and more details |
AutoFocus Face Detection | Yes | Yes | Very handy for portraits |
Microphone Port | Yes | Yes | High quality audio recording option |
Headphone Port | Yes | Yes | Better video control |
Storage Slots | 2 slots | 2 slots | Extra Storage Slots |
Bracketing | Yes | Yes | Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR |
Flash Sync Port | Yes | Yes | Port for Flash Sync |
Environmental Sealing | Yes | Yes | Shoot at tough conditions |
Battery Life | 1840 shots | 610 shots | Big number of frames with a single charge |
Built-In Flash | No | No | No built-in flash |
Before heading straight to the technical characteristics of each model, let’s start with comparing their physical specs. Let’s start with looking at the physical difference of the two products. Below are images that clearly show the sizes of Nikon D850 and Sony Alpha A7 III from the front view.
Now, let’s go on and see how the reviewed models are different or similar by the top view.
After looking at these images, you should get a clear idea of each model’s dimensions and how they are different from each other. However, we are not going to stop there. The next characteristic worth looking at is the weight. Of course, not every photographer is concerned about the weight, for example, it wouldn't be a decisive point for those who shoot in a studio. However, it is still an important factor because if you happen to go on a long photo session or just love having the camera with you wherever you go, you want to be sure that the chosen model isn't too heavy.
Speaking of weight, Sony Alpha A7 III is a lighter option of these two, as it weights 365g less than the Nikon D850. This difference, in fact, can become a significant disadvantage for the photographers, who prefer to have their cameras with them wherever they go.
Sensor is, without a doubt, the most significant element of every digital camera. Its type, size, and resolution are the factors that define the quality of future shots. Thus, it is barely possible to pick a suitable camera without looking at these specs.
Are Nikon D850 and Sony Alpha A7 III any different in terms of sensor type?
In fact, that's exactly what makes these two models really different. Thus, it is a good point to consider if your are choosing between these two cameras. Nikon D850 features a 46.0 MP Full frame sized BSI-CMOS sensor . Sony Alpha A7 III, in its turn, comes with a 24.0 MP Full frame sized BSI-CMOS sensor and Bionz X processor , which makes it significantly different from the first model.
Take a look below to find the comparison of Nikon D850 and Sony Alpha A7 III by the size of their sensors.
Nikon D850 and Sony Alpha A7 III are identical by this indicator, as each feature a sensor of the same size. Thus, both cameras will provide the same level of control in terms of the depth of field if you use them with the same focal length and aperture.
If you are interested in photography or has made a career in this field, you should know that different types of shooting actually require different camera characteristics. While one model can produce outstanding portraits, at the same time, it can be terrible for shooting landscapes, and so on. Thus, before you purchase a specific camera, it is vital to decide, which type of shooting you do most often and consider an option that suits it the most.
This section of our comparison is devoted to the performance of Nikon D850 and Sony Alpha A7 III in different fields of photography. Here we are going to look at the five main areas and evaluate how well each of the reviewed models performs in them. This will help you choose an option that suits your needs the most depending on your interest in one or several of these fields.
Photography Type | Nikon D850 | Sony Alpha A7 III |
---|---|---|
Portrait Photography |
|
|
Street Photography |
|
|
Sports Photography |
|
|
Daily Photography |
|
|
Landscape Photography |
|
|
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
No Significant DisadvantagesAdvantages:
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
No Significant DisadvantagesAdvantages:
Disadvantages:
No Significant DisadvantagesHopefully, our detailed overview of these models has helped you consider all the main specs, pros and cons of each cameras. Maybe, after reading this comparison, some of you have already decided which option to opt for depending on your needs and preferences. However, if you are still wondering which option is a better choice, Nikon D850 or Sony Alpha A7 III, below you can see what scores each of them received in five different aspects. To wrap up, we have used our unique Decision Algorithm that assesses different camera models upon 63 different factors including their price, and, if possible, DxO Mark scores. This algorithm allows us to make our verdict more consistent and objective.
What is our final verdict? Based on our comparison and the final scores of Nikon D850 and Sony Alpha A7 III here is what we can say in conclusion:
According all the factors that we considered in the process of comparing these two cameras, Nikon D850 deserves a higher Total Score than the Sony Alpha A7 III. Thus, if you are choosing between these options, we would recommend you to choose the first model over the other one.
For better understanding of each model’s technical characteristics, find the detailed comparison below:
Nikon D850 | Sony Alpha A7 III | |
---|---|---|
General | ||
Brand | Nikon | Sony |
Model | D850 | Alpha A7 III |
Announced | Aug 24, 2017 | Feb 27, 2018 |
Body Type | Mid-size SLR | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor | ||
Sensor Type | BSI-CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor Size | Full frame | Full frame |
Sensor Dimensions | 35.9 x 23.9 mm | 35.8 x 23.8 mm |
Sensor Area | 858.01 mm2 | 852.04 mm2 |
Sensor Resolution | 46.0 MP | 24.0 MP |
Max Image Resolution | 8256 x 5504 | 6000 x 4000 |
Max Native ISO | 25,600 | 51,200 |
Max Boosted ISO | 102,400 | 204,800 |
Min Native ISO | 64 | 100 |
RAW Support | ||
Lens | ||
Manual Focus | ||
Lens Mount | Nikon F | Sony E |
Number of Lenses | 287 | 83 |
Focal Length Multiplier | 1x | 1x |
Macro Focus Range | ||
AutoFocus | ||
AF Touch | ||
AF Continuous | ||
AF Single | ||
AF Tracking | ||
AF Selective | ||
AF Center | ||
AF Multi Area | ||
AF Live View | ||
AF Face Detection | ||
AF Contrast Detection | ||
AF Phase Detection | ||
Number of Focus Points | 153 | 693 |
Number of Cross Focus Points | 99 | n/a |
Screen | ||
Screen Type | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen Size | 3.2″ | 3″ |
Screen Resolution | 2,359k dots | 922k dots |
Live View | ||
Touch Screen | ||
ViewFinder | ||
ViewFinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
ViewFinder Resolution | 0k dots | 2,359k dots |
ViewFinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
ViewFinder Magnification | 0.75 | 0.78 |
Photography Features | ||
Min Shutter Speed | 30 s | 30 s |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/8000 s | 1/8000 s |
Continuous Shooting | 7.0 fps | 10.0 fps |
Shutter Priority | ||
Aperture Priority | ||
Manual Exposure Mode | ||
Exposure Compensation | ||
Custom White Balance | ||
Image Stabilization | ||
Built-in Flash | ||
Flash Range | 0 | 0 |
Flash Modes | Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync | no built-in flash |
External Flash | ||
AE Bracketing | ||
WB Bracketing | ||
Exposure Modes | ||
Multi-Segment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF-Area | ||
Center Weighted | ||
DxO Sensor Scores | ||
DxO Sensor Score | 100 | 96 |
DxO Color Depth | 26.4 | 25.0 |
DxO Dynamic Range | 14.8 | 14.7 |
DxO Low Light ISO | 2660 | 3730 |
Video Features | ||
Video Resolutions | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
Max Video Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Video Formats | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264 |
Microphone Port | ||
Headphone Port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless Connectivity | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 | USB 1 |
Physical | ||
Environmental Sealing | ||
Water Proof | ||
Dust Proof | ||
Shock Proof | ||
Crush Proof | ||
Freeze Proof | ||
Weight | 1015 g | 650 g |
Physical Dimensions | 146 x 124 x 79 mm | 127 x 96 x 74 mm |
Battery Life | 1840 shots | 610 shots |
Battery Type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Model | EN-EL15a | NP-FZ100 |
Other Features | ||
Self Timer | ||
Timelapse Recording | ||
GPS | ||
Storage Type | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Storage Slots | 2 | 2 |
Most popular cameras