Sony A7R II vs Nikon D850

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A7R II vs Nikon D850

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

Go in depth with our full Sony A7R II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7R II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7R II.
Compare Sony A7R II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7R II conclusion.

35mm 858.0mm²
45.7 megapixels
ISO 64 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D850 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D850 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D850.
Compare Nikon D850 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D850 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A7R III
Compare A7R II vs A7R III
Compare Sony A7R III vs Nikon D850

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Differences

Sony A7R II advantages over Nikon D850

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
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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.
A7R II test data on DxO Mark D850 test data on DxO Mark

3,434 vs 2,660 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
60 mm vs 78 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
640g vs 915g
Lighter weight

Nikon D850 advantages over Sony A7R II

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Less expensive
$2497 vs $2898
Save money for lenses or accessories
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

1840 vs 340 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Higher-res screen
590k vs 307k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Less shutter lag
0.08 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 23 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 23 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7R II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D850

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Filmmaker's Kit

Review Excerpt

Superb image quality; Very high resolution; Surprisingly good high ISO performance; Fast autofocus; Compact, comfortable body with lots of customization potential; Bright, roomy and clear viewfinder; Tilting LCD display; Five-axis stabilization; Intuitive Wi-Fi / NFC connectivity
Movie button is poorly located; No touch screen; Not as fast to start up or shoot photos as a similarly-priced SLR; Rather slow buffer clearing; No built-in flash; Single card slot; Not weather-sealed to the same degree as some rivals
Read our Sony A7R II Review

Class-leading resolution; Excellent dynamic range; Very good high ISO performance; Very fast AF and burst shooting; Durable weather-sealed body; Improved ergonomics; Touchscreen; Dual card slots; 4K video.
Live view/video mode still uses sluggish contrast-detect AF; Viewfinder only tests at ~98% coverage; No 4K at 60p; 30-minute video clip limit; Focus peaking not supported with 4K.
Read our Nikon D850 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7R

Sony A7R II

Sony A7R

$2898
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

$1799
35mm

Less expensive
Lighter weight

Compare Sony A7R II vs Sony A7R

Nikon D850

Sony A7R

$2664
35mm

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$1799
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A7R

Compared to Sony A99 II

Sony A7R II

Sony A99 II

$2898
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Lighter weight

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Sony A7R II vs Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

$2664
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II

Compared to Sony A9

Sony A7R II

Sony A9

$2898
35mm

In-camera panoramas
More pixels

$3147
35mm

Bigger pixels
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7R II vs Sony A9

Nikon D850

Sony A9

$2664
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3147
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A9

Compared to Sony A7R III

Sony A7R II

Sony A7R III

$2898
35mm

In-camera panoramas

$2348
35mm

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7R II vs Sony A7R III

Nikon D850

Sony A7R III

$2664
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

$2348
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A7R III

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Sony A7R II

Pentax K-1 II

$2898
35mm

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

$1747
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7R II vs Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II

$2664
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-1 II

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