Nikon D610 vs Sony A99 II

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D610 vs Sony A99 II

35mm 861.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D610 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D610 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D610.
Compare Nikon D610 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D610 conclusion.

35mm 861.6mm²
42.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A99 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A99 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A99 II.
Compare Sony A99 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A99 II conclusion.

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Differences

Nikon D610 advantages over Sony A99 II

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$1997 vs $3198*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 4.51 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
D610 test data on DxO Mark A99 II test data on DxO Mark

2,925 vs 2,317 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

900 vs 490 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Sony A99 II advantages over Nikon D610

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
More cross-type AF points
15 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
7 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.11 vs 0.26 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.70x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
42.4 vs 24.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
More AF points
79 vs 39
More AF points improve autofocus
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.5 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
61 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.1 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
25 vs 15 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D610 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A99 II User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D610

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-85mm and 70-300mm lenses, wireless adapter, bag
Kit with 24-85mm lens
Kit with 28-300mm lens and accessory bundle

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A99 II

Body Only

All A99 II Deals

Review Excerpt

Eliminated sensor dust-and-oil spot issue from D600; Great controls for amateur or pro; Comfortable ergonomics and weight; Excellent image quality and low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.
Not drastically different from D600; Moire with certain subjects; Auto WB still too warm in incandescent light; Slow AF in live view mode; Aliasing in videos.
Read our Nikon D610 Express Review

Superb image quality at low, moderate ISOs; Improved high ISO performance; Fast continuous shooting speeds; Very impressive hybrid autofocus; High-quality 4K UHD video; Rugged camera body.
Multi-selector joystick can be awkward to use; No EVF live view at fastest burst rate; Buffer clearing is slow with no UHS-II support; 4K UHD video isn't as full-featured as E-mount counterparts.
Read our Sony A99 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Nikon D610

Canon 6D

$1271
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D610 vs Canon 6D

Sony A99 II

Canon 6D

$3198
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$1699
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 6D

Compared to Nikon D600

Nikon D610

Nikon D600

$1271
35mm

Faster RAW shooting

$1900
35mm

Compare Nikon D610 vs Nikon D600

Sony A99 II

Nikon D600

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1900
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Nikon D600

Compared to Nikon D750

Nikon D610

Nikon D750

$1271
35mm

Fast startup

$1698
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D610 vs Nikon D750

Sony A99 II

Nikon D750

$3198
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$1698
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Nikon D750

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D610

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1271
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

$2499
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D610 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A99 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

$3198
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$2499
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Nikon D610

Nikon D850

$1271
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2664
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D610 vs Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2664
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Nikon D850

Compare Other Cameras?