Nikon Df vs Sony A7 II

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon Df vs Sony A7 II

35mm 860.4mm²
16.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

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

35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7 II.
Compare Sony A7 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A7 III
Compare A7 II vs A7 III
Compare Nikon Df vs Sony A7 III

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Differences

Nikon Df advantages over Sony A7 II

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Bigger pixels
~ 7.31 vs 5.97 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.55 vs 1.7 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.
Df test data on DxO Mark A7 II test data on DxO Mark

3,279 vs 2,449 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

1400 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 52 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A7 II advantages over Nikon Df

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$998 vs $2997
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
More telephoto lens reach
70 mm vs 50 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
24.3 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Wider angle kit lens
28 mm vs 50 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Df User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7 II User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon Df

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 50mm f/1.8 lens

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Buy the Sony A7 II

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 28-70mm Lens

All A7 II Deals

Review Excerpt

Same sensor and processor as professional D4; Great image quality; Arguably the best available-light shooter in its class; Handsome, retro styling; Weather-sealed design; Big, clear full-frame viewfinder; Excellent battery life
Expensive; Bulky, yet handgrip is quite modest; Some controls are clumsy; Plastic body panels don't gel with retro aesthetic; Autofocus isn't in the same league as image quality; No AF assist lamp; No movie capture; No portrait grip; Single card slot
Read our Nikon Df Review

Excellent 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization; Sensor-shift IS brings stabilization to nearly any lens; Much-improved ergonomics and top-deck control layout; 'Mark II' maintains same impressive image quality, dynamic range and high ISO performance; XAVC S 50Mbps video format; Faster start-up time; Hybrid AF performs well with good continuous AF.
(Similar to A7): Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Battery life could be better; Low-light AF still not as good as most DSLRs; High ISO JPEGs look over-processed; Slow buffer clearing; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses (but it's getting better).
Read our Sony A7 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon Df

Canon 5D Mark III

$2747
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

$2139
35mm

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A7 II

Canon 5D Mark III

$1175
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2139
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7 II vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Sony A99

Nikon Df

Sony A99

$2747
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Df vs Sony A99

Sony A7 II

Sony A99

$1175
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$1998
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A99

Compared to Canon 6D

Nikon Df

Canon 6D

$2747
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon Df vs Canon 6D

Sony A7 II

Canon 6D

$1175
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$1699
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony A7 II vs Canon 6D

Compared to Sony A7

Nikon Df

Sony A7

$2747
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$748
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon Df vs Sony A7

Sony A7 II

Sony A7

$1175
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

$748
35mm

Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7

Compared to Sony A7 III

Nikon Df

Sony A7 III

$2747
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$1665
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon Df vs Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II

Sony A7 III

$1175
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1665
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7 III

Compare Other Cameras?