Sony Alpha NEX-7 vs Nikon D610
- Full frame
- 24 megapixels
- Nikon F
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Overall -
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Imaging -
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Features -
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Size -
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Price
Sony Alpha NEX-7 vs Nikon D610: a Complete Review and Comparison
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, Sony Alpha NEX-7 belongs to a Semi-Pro Mirrorless category, the other model, Sony Alpha NEX-7 is a Semi-Pro DSLR camera. One of the key common traits of both cameras we are looking at is sensor. Both Sony Alpha NEX-7 and Nikon D610, are equipped with the same 24.0 MP CMOS sensors.
Both cameras we are going to look at in our overview fall into two different categories - MirrorLess and DSLR. 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 Sony Alpha NEX-7 and Nikon D610 and, after this, we can go on to our detailed comparison of these models.
Sony Alpha NEX-7 Key Features:
- 24.0 MP APS-C CMOS sensor
- ISO 100 - 16000
- Image Stabilization: No
- 3″ Tilting Screen
- ViewFinder: Yes
- 10.0 fps Continuous Shooting
- Video: 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
- Built-in Wireless: Yes
- Dimensions: 120 x 67 x 43 mm
- Weight: 400 g
- Environmental Sealing: No
- Built-in GPS: No
Nikon D610 Key Features:
- 24.0 MP Full frame CMOS sensor
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Expands to 25600)
- Image Stabilization: No
- 3.2″ Fixed Type Screen
- ViewFinder: Yes
- 6.0 fps Continuous Shooting
- Video: 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps)
- Built-in Wireless: Yes
- Dimensions: 141 x 113 x 82 mm
- Weight: 850 g
- Environmental Sealing: Yes
- Built-in GPS: Yes
- Replaced Nikon D600. Compare
Why is Sony Alpha NEX-7 a better choice than Nikon D610
| Continuous Shooting | 10 fps vs 6 fps | 4 fps faster |
| Weight | 400 g vs 850 g | 450 g lighter |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.73 vs 0.7 | 0.03 better magnification |
What are the key reasons to pick Nikon D610 over Sony Alpha NEX-7
| Timelapse Recording | Yes vs No | Creative shooting |
| Storage Slots | 2 vs 1 | Extra storage slot |
| Sensor Area | 861.6 mm2 vs 366.6 mm2 | 57.5% larger pixel area |
| Flash Range | 12 vs 6 | 6 better flash range |
| Number Of Focus Points | 39 vs 25 | 14 more focus points |
| Screen Size | 3.2″ vs 3″ | 0.2" larger screen |
| Battery Life | 900 shots vs 430 shots | 470 more frames with a single charge |
| Environmental Sealing | Yes vs No | Shoot at tough conditions |
| Headphone Port | Yes vs No | Has headphone port |
| Dxo Color Depth | 25.1 vs 24.1 | Better color depth |
| Dxo Dynamic Range | 14.4 vs 13.4 | Better dynamic range |
| Dxo Low Light Iso | 2925 vs 1016 | Better High ISO performance |
Key PROs of Sony Alpha NEX-7 and Nikon D610
| Screen Size | 3″ | 3.2″ | Large display |
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) | Better framing and control |
| Raw Support | Yes | Yes | Better image quality |
| Sensor Resolution | 24.0 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 |
| Bracketing | Yes | Yes | Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR |
| Built-In Flash | Yes | Yes | External flash available |
| Flash Sync Port | Yes | Yes | Port for Flash Sync |
Key CONs of Sony Alpha NEX-7 and Nikon D610
| Touch Screen | No | No | No touch screen |
| Screen Resolution | 921k dots | 921k dots | Small screen resolution |
| Image Stabilization | No | No | No image stabilization |
Sony Alpha NEX-7 vs Nikon D610: Comparing Two Models By Physical Characteristics
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 Sony Alpha NEX-7 and Nikon D610 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 NEX-7 is a lighter option of these two, as it weights 450g less than the Nikon D610. This difference, in fact, can become a significant disadvantage for the photographers, who prefer to have their cameras with them wherever they go.
Comparing Sony Alpha NEX-7 and Nikon D610 by the type of Sensor and Resolution
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 Sony Alpha NEX-7 and Nikon D610 any different in terms of sensor type?
In terms of sensor type and resolution, these models are identical. Both Sony Alpha NEX-7 and Nikon D610 come equipped with the same CMOS that has a resolution of 24.0 MP. Thus, if you are wondering, which option to choose, this is not a factor you should be looking at.
Take a look below to find the comparison of Sony Alpha NEX-7 and Nikon D610 by the size of their sensors.
One more distinctive feature of compared models is the sensor size. Nikon D610 is equipped with a sensor that is 0.4x larger than the one featured in Sony Alpha NEX-7. Compared to the cameras with smaller sensor area, the ones with larger sensors ensure more control on the blurry background and depth of field if you shoot in the same aperture and focal length. Thus, the first model has a significant advantage here.
For Which Fields Of Photography Are Sony Alpha NEX-7 and Nikon D610 Suitable?
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 Sony Alpha NEX-7 and Nikon D610 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 | Sony Alpha NEX-7 | Nikon D610 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait Photography |
|
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| Street Photography |
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| Sports Photography |
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| Daily Photography |
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| Landscape Photography |
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|
Sony Alpha NEX-7 for Portrait Photography
Advantages:
- Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
- High resolution sensor (24 MP)
- Face Detection Focusing
Disadvantages:
- No Image Stabilization
Nikon D610 for Portrait Photography
Advantages:
- Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
- High resolution sensor (24 MP)
- Face Detection Focusing
Disadvantages:
- You might not like Nikon skintone
- No Image Stabilization
Sony Alpha NEX-7 for Street Photography
Advantages:
- Built-in View Finder
- Live View
- Large APS-C(23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
Disadvantages:
- Big size (120 x 67 x 43 mm)
- No Image Stabilization
Nikon D610 for Street Photography
Advantages:
- Built-in View Finder
- Live View
- Large Full frame(35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
- Big battery life (900 shots)
Disadvantages:
- Big size (141 x 113 x 82 mm)
- No Image Stabilization
Sony Alpha NEX-7 for Sports Photography
Advantages:
No Significant Advantages
Disadvantages:
- Slow Continuous Shooting (10.0 fps)
- No Environmental Sealing
- Slow Max Shutter Speed (1/4000s)
- Smal Number of autofocus Points (25)
- Bad Low Light ISO (1016)
- Small battery life (430 shots)
Nikon D610 for Sports Photography
Advantages:
- Environmental Sealing
- Nice Low Light ISO (2925)
- Big size (141 x 113 x 82 mm)
Disadvantages:
- Slow Continuous Shooting (6.0 fps)
- Slow Max Shutter Speed (1/4000s)
- Smal Number of autofocus Points (39)
- Small Number of CrossFocus Points (9)
- Bad Max Native ISO (6400)
Sony Alpha NEX-7 for Daily Photography
Advantages:
- Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
- Built-in Flash
- Built-in View Finder
- Live View
- Wireless Connectivity
- Video is available
Disadvantages:
No Significant DisadvantagesNikon D610 for Daily Photography
Advantages:
- Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
- Built-in Flash
- Built-in View Finder
- Live View
- Wireless Connectivity
- Video is available
Disadvantages:
- Big weight (850 g)
- Big size (141 x 113 x 82 mm)
Sony Alpha NEX-7 for Landscape Photography
Advantages:
- Large APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) sensor
- High resolution sensor (24 MP)
- Good Dynamic Range (13.4)
- Live View
- RAW Support
Disadvantages:
- No Environmental Sealing
- Bad Low Light ISO (1016)
Nikon D610 for Landscape Photography
Advantages:
- Large Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) sensor
- High resolution sensor (24 MP)
- Good Dynamic Range (14.4)
- Environmental Sealing
- Live View
- RAW Support
- Nice Low Light ISO (2925)
Disadvantages:
- Bad Max Native ISO (6400)
Comparison of Sony Alpha NEX-7 vs Nikon D610: Final Verdict
Hopefully, 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, Sony Alpha NEX-7 or Nikon D610, 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 Sony Alpha NEX-7 and Nikon D610 here is what we can say in conclusion:
According all the factors that we considered in the process of comparing these two cameras, Sony Alpha NEX-7 deserves a higher Total Score than the Nikon D610. Thus, if you are choosing between these options, we would recommend you to choose the first model over the other one.
Sony Alpha NEX-7 vs Nikon D610 Table Of Technical Specs
For better understanding of each model’s technical characteristics, find the detailed comparison below:
| Sony Alpha NEX-7 | Nikon D610 | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand | Sony | Nikon |
| Model | Alpha NEX-7 | D610 |
| Announced | Dec 13, 2011 | Oct 08, 2013 |
| Body Type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
| Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Size | APS-C | Full frame |
| Sensor Dimensions | 23.5 x 15.6 mm | 35.9 x 24 mm |
| Sensor Area | 366.60 mm2 | 861.60 mm2 |
| Sensor Resolution | 24.0 MP | 24.0 MP |
| Max Image Resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 6016 x 4016 |
| Max Native ISO | 16,000 | 6,400 |
| Max Boosted ISO | n/a | 25,600 |
| Min Native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW Support |  |
|
| Lens | ||
| Manual Focus | |
|
| Lens Mount | Sony E | Nikon F |
| Number of Lenses | 83 | 287 |
| Focal Length Multiplier | 1.5x | 1x |
| Macro Focus Range | ||
| AutoFocus | ||
| AF Touch |  |
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| AF Continuous | |
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| AF Single | |
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| AF Tracking | |
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| AF Selective | |
|
| AF Center | |
|
| AF Multi Area | |
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| AF Live View | |
|
| AF Face Detection | |
|
| AF Contrast Detection | |
|
| AF Phase Detection | |
|
| Number of Focus Points | 25 | 39 |
| Number of Cross Focus Points | n/a | 9 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen Type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
| Screen Size | 3″ | 3.2″ |
| Screen Resolution | 921k dots | 921k dots |
| Live View | |
|
| Touch Screen | |
|
| ViewFinder | ||
| ViewFinder | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
| ViewFinder Resolution | 0k dots | 0k dots |
| ViewFinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| ViewFinder Magnification | 0.73 | 0.7 |
| Photography Features | ||
| Min Shutter Speed | 30 s | 30 s |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/4000 s | 1/4000 s |
| Continuous Shooting | 10.0 fps | 6.0 fps |
| Shutter Priority | |
|
| Aperture Priority | |
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| Manual Exposure Mode | |
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| Exposure Compensation | |
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| Custom White Balance | |
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| Image Stabilization | |
|
| Built-in Flash | |
|
| Flash Range | 6 | 12 |
| Flash Modes | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless | Auto, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain |
| External Flash | |
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| AE Bracketing | |
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| WB Bracketing | |
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| Exposure Modes | ||
| Multi-Segment | |
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| Average | |
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| Spot | |
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| Partial | |
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| AF-Area | |
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| Center Weighted | |
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| DxO Sensor Scores | ||
| DxO Sensor Score | 81 | 94 |
| DxO Color Depth | 24.1 | 25.1 |
| DxO Dynamic Range | 13.4 | 14.4 |
| DxO Low Light ISO | 1016 | 2925 |
| Video Features | ||
| Video Resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps) |
| Max Video Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Video Formats | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Microphone Port | |
|
| Headphone Port | |
|
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless Connectivity | |
|
| HDMI | |
|
| USB | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental Sealing | |
|
| Water Proof | |
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| Dust Proof | |
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| Shock Proof | |
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| Crush Proof | |
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| Freeze Proof | |
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| Weight | 400 g | 850 g |
| Physical Dimensions | 120 x 67 x 43 mm | 141 x 113 x 82 mm |
| Battery Life | 430 shots | 900 shots |
| Battery Type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery Model | NPFW50 | EN-EL15 |
| Other Features | ||
| Self Timer | |
|
| Timelapse Recording | |
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| GPS | Optional | |
| Storage Type | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo | SD/SDHC/SDXC x 2 slots |
| Storage Slots | 1 | 2 |
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