Nikon D850 vs Sony A1

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D850 vs Sony A1

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.

35mm 861.6mm²
50.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A1.
Compare Sony A1 image quality against competitors.

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Differences

Nikon D850 advantages over Sony A1

Less expensive
$2497 vs $6498
Save money for lenses or accessories
Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
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 530 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 360k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition

Sony A1 advantages over Nikon D850

Slower slow-motion
240 fps vs 120 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Longer video battery life
150 vs 70 minutes
Capture more video
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Higher max flash sync
1/400 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
3 years vs 7 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
0.90x vs 0.75x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Faster JPEG shooting
30.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A1 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D850

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaker's Kit

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A1

Body Only

Review Excerpt

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

We haven’t finished our review of the Sony A1, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Sony A1 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Nikon D850

Canon 5DS R

$2664
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1729
35mm

Less expensive

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon 5DS R

Sony A1

Canon 5DS R

$6499
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1729
35mm

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to 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

Sony A1

Sony A99 II

$6499
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Touchscreen

$3198
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A99 II

Compared to 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

Sony A1

Pentax K-1 II

$6499
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A1 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Canon R5

Nikon D850

Canon R5

$2664
35mm

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

$3549
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon R5

Sony A1

Canon R5

$6499
35mm

Slower slow-motion
NFC

$3549
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Nikon D850

Nikon Z7 II

$2664
35mm

Less expensive

$2730
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer video battery life

Compare Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z7 II

Sony A1

Nikon Z7 II

$6499
35mm

Slower slow-motion
NFC

$2730
35mm

Less expensive
Top deck display

Compare Sony A1 vs Nikon Z7 II

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