• APS-C 361.2mm2
  • 4.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D2Hs advantages over Sony A850

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 9.46 vs 5.94 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)

Sony A850 advantages over Nikon D2Hs

  • Less expensive
    $2000 vs $3500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 232k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    24.6 vs 4.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

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
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D2Hs

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A850

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

Nikon D2Hs
Sony A900
  • $3500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D2Hs vs Sony A900

Sony A850
Sony A900
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony A850 vs Sony A900

Compared to Nikon D800

Nikon D2Hs
Nikon D800
  • $3500
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Nikon D2Hs vs Nikon D800

Sony A850
Nikon D800
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A850 vs Nikon D800

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D2Hs
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $3500
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon D2Hs vs Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A850
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A850 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D800E

Nikon D2Hs
Nikon D800E
  • $3500
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Internal flash

Compare Nikon D2Hs vs Nikon D800E

Sony A850
Nikon D800E
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A850 vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Sony A99

Nikon D2Hs
Sony A99
  • $3500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D2Hs vs Sony A99

Sony A850
Sony A99
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony A850 vs Sony A99

Compare Other Cameras?