Nikon Df vs Sony Alpha 850 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 16.2 MP · Full Frame
Nikon Df
58
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 24.6 MP · Full Frame
Sony Alpha 850
55
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Df and the Sony Alpha 850 are both full-frame DSLRs with optical pentaprism viewfinders. The Df arrived in 2013, four years after the 2009 Alpha 850. Their lens mounts set the real buying split: the Df takes Nikon F FX lenses, while the Alpha 850 uses the Sony Alpha mount, so any existing lenses should steer the choice. For travel and long shooting days, the Df is the smaller and lighter body at 760 g against 895 g, measuring 144 x 110 x 67 mm versus 156 x 117 x 82 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
November 5, 2013 | August 27, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 144 x 110 x 67 mm | 156 x 117 x 82 mm |
| Camera weight | 760 g | 895 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony Alpha 850 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and bright sunlight. Its 24.6 megapixels, against 16.2 on the Df, give more room to crop distant subjects or make large prints. Its 1/8000 second top shutter also allows shorter exposures than the Df's 1/4000, and its in-body stabilisation steadies handheld frames with every mounted lens. The Df is the better tool for dim light and moving subjects. Its native ISO range runs from 100 to 12800, against 200 to 3200 on the Alpha 850, and expanded settings reach 204800 ISO versus 6400. It also pairs 39 autofocus points with 5.5 fps, against 9 points and 3 fps, helping track wandering subjects and capture peak action. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.2 MP050 | 24.6 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4928 x 3280 | 6048 x 4032 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
23.9 x 36 | 24 x 35.9 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5.5 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F FX | Sony Alpha |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed 3 | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
2048003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
390300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoAnyone planning motion or interval footage needs another camera. Neither the Df nor the Alpha 850 records video, and both lack a built-in intervalometer for timelapse sequences. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 57/100 | 28/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesFor rain or dust, the Df is the better protected body, offering weather sealing that the Alpha 850 lacks. The Df also supports live view on its fixed 3.2-inch LCD, useful for tripod work and precise framing. The Alpha 850 answers with a tilting 3-inch screen, which eases low and high camera angles without kneeling or stretching. The two also match on external flash support, and both lack GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and touch control, so neither suits wireless transfer or in-camera location tagging. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9216001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | No |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 48/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryFor long days away from a charger, the Df has the higher rated battery life, at 1400 shots against 880 on the Alpha 850. Neither body supports USB charging. For long assignments needing extra capacity, the Alpha 850 offers dual slots for Compact Flash Type I or II with UDMA plus Memory Stick Duo cards. The Df takes a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | No |  Yes |
| Battery type | EN-EL14 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1400 shots1505000 | 880 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon Df if you shoot handheld in low light, photograph moving people, or work outdoors in poor weather. Its wider ISO range, 39-point autofocus, faster 5.5 fps burst and weather sealing make it the more versatile body for reportage, interiors and travel.
Choose the Sony Alpha 850 if resolution and steadiness matter most: its 24.6 megapixels reward landscape, architecture and studio portraits with more cropping room, and its in-body stabilisation steadies handheld frames with any lens. Otherwise, the Df's broader handling of light and motion makes it the stronger all-round stills camera.