• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 50.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Nikon D800
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A1
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website
Nikon D800 webpage
Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Nikon D700
D700 vs D800
 
Successor: Nikon D810
D800 vs D810
 
General
Model Number: D800 A1
Alternate Model Number(s):   ILCE-1
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $2999.95 $6500.00
Street Price: $1,849.95 $6,498.00
Date Available: 2012-03-30 2021-03-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 35.6 oz (1,008 g)
includes batteries
26.0 oz (737 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.7 x 4.8 x 3.2 in.
(146 x 123 x 82 mm)
5.1 x 3.8 x 3.2 in.
(129 x 97 x 81 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 36.3 50.1
Sensor Format: 35mm 35mm
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.88 microns 4.16 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 95  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 25.3  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 14.4  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 2,853  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 7360 x 4912 (36.2 MP, 3:2),
5520 x 3680 (20.3 MP, 3:2),
3680 x 2456 (9.0 MP, 3:2),
6114 x 4080 (24.9 MP, 3:2),
4608 x 3056 (14.1 MP, Other),
3072 x 2040 (6.3 MP, Other),
4800 x 3200 (15.4 MP, 3:2),
3600 x 2400 (8.6 MP, 3:2),
2400 x 1600 (3.8 MP, 3:2),
6144 x 4912 (30.2 MP, 5:4),
4608 x 3680 (17.0 MP, 5:4),
3072 x 2456 (7.5 MP, 5:4)
8640 x 5760 (49.8 MP, 3:2),
5616 x 3744 (21.0 MP, 3:2),
4320 x 2880 (12.4 MP, 3:2),
7680 x 5760 (44.2 MP, 4:3),
4992 x 3744 (18.7 MP, 4:3),
3840 x 2880 (11.1 MP, 4:3),
8760 x 4864 (42.6 MP, Other),
5616 x 3160 (17.7 MP, 16:9),
4320 x 2432 (10.5 MP, 16:9),
5760 x 5760 (33.2 MP, 1:1),
3744 x 3744 (14.0 MP, 1:1),
2880 x 2880 (8.3 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; TIFF JPEG, HEIF, Compressed RAW, Lo, RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG, RAW+HEIF
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.0 30.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p)
7680x4320 (30p/​25p/​24p)
3840x2160 (120p/​100p/​60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (1p/​2p/​3p/​4p/​6p/​8p/​12p/​15p/​25p/​30p/​50p/​60p/​100p/​120p/​200p/​240p)
Movie File Format: MOV (H.265/MPEG-4 AVC, Linear PCM audio) XAVC S (Long GOP, H.264 MP4); XAVC HS (Long GOP, H.265 HEVC); XAVC S-I (All-Intra, H.264 MP4)
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Nikon F Sony E
Lens: n/a n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):    
Focal Length (actual):    
Zoom Ratio:    
Aperture Range:    
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: 1.2x, 1.5x (DX), 5:4 crop modes Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX including 15 cross-type sensors; f/8 supported by 11 central sensors; Contrast detection AF in Live View mode Fast Hybrid 4D AF: 759 points (PDAF), 425 points (contrast-detection AF); Wide (759 points (PDAF), 425 points (CDAF))/Zone/Center/Flexible Spot (S/M/L)/Expanded Flexible Spot/Tracking (Wide/Zone/Center/Flexible Spot (S/M/L)/Expanded Flexible Spot); Touch AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x magnification, 17mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter EVF: 0.64" 9.44M-dot QXGA color OLED, 100% coverage, 0.90x magnification, 60/120/240fps refresh rates, -4.0 to +3.0 diopter, 25mm eyepoint from the eyepiece lens
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 9,437,184 dots (3,145,728 pixels)
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x 0.90x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.70x 0.90x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.2 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots (307,200 px) 1,440,000 dots (360,000 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom:    
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400 32000
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 6400 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1EV steps, plus down to 50 in Lo-1, up to 25,600 in Hi-2 AUTO, ISO 100 - 32000, expandable to ISO 50 - 102400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto (2), Incandescent, Fluorescent (7), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Preset Manual (4), Color Temperature (2,500K-10,000K); Fine-tuning available for all options. Auto (with Priority), Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4 settings), Flash, Underwater, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/32000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 91K-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering III, Center-weighted (weight of 75% given to 12-mm circle in center of frame; diameter of circle can be changed to 8, 15 or 20 mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame), Spot (4mm circle or about 1.5% frame, centered on selected focus area) 1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot, Spot Standard/Large, Entire Screen Avg., Highlight
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: None Picture Effect: Posterization (Color), Posterization (B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R/G/B/Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera (Normal / Cool / Warm / Green / Magenta), Soft High-key; HDR: Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step)
Self Timer: 2/5/10/20 seconds 2, 5, 10; 3/5 shots after 2/5/10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes  
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Front-curtain sync, Slow sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync; supports Advanced Wireless Lighting system Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed Sync, Wireless; Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens aperture dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 (up to 1/320s with lower flash range) 1/400s (1/500s APS-C crop mode)
Flash Exposure Compensation: -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: ISO-type hot-shoe, PC Sync terminal Multi Interface Hot Shoe with Digital Audio Interface, Sync Terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC / CFexpress
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-II
Other Memory: UDMA7/UHS-I compliant 2x CFexpress Type A+SD UHS-II
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (NEF), 14 or 12-bit; TIFF RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG, RAW+HEIF
Movie File Format: MOV (H.265/MPEG-4 AVC, Linear PCM audio) XAVC S (Long GOP, H.264 MP4); XAVC HS (Long GOP, H.265 HEVC); XAVC S-I (All-Intra, H.264 MP4)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: Yes Yes
External Connections: USB 3.0 Super Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,USB 3.0 Super Speed,Ethernet,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless Optional via IR, USB, Ethernet or Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI (Type C), 10-pin Expansion Terminal (GP-1 GPS compatible), Stereo Mic Mini Jack (3.5mm), Stereo Audio Out (3.5mm) USB-C (USB 3.2 10Gbps), Type-D Micro HDMI, 1000Base-T Ethernet, 3.5mm Microphone and Headphone Jacks, Sync Terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.42  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.39  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 23  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.46  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.0 30.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 54 165
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.0 20.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 18 155
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 4.0  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 14  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.21 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): 1.74 seconds  
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): 0.184 seconds  
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.044 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.043 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): OVF, Full Autofocus, 51-point Auto Area = 0.306s Live View, Full Autofocus = 1.735s Live View, Prefocused = 0.184s  
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.2 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.8 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   530 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 900 shots 430 shots
Battery Life, Video:   150 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary EN-EL15 Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable or MB-D12 battery grip NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary EN-EL15 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No Yes
Software
Included Software: Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM Capture One Express (for Sony) free download; Sony Imaging Edge Remote, Viewer and Edit
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS X Windows, macOS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: New 36.3-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, New EXPEED 3 processor, 91K-dot Matrix Metering III, Improved Auto ISO, Full HD 1080p30 movies, HMDI simultaneous output, Dual SD+CF slots, USB 3.0.