• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony A65 advantages over Nikon D4S

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Nikon D4S advantages over Sony A65

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.31 vs 3.95 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,074 vs 717 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3020 vs 510 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    15 vs 3
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    51 vs 15
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent, tank-like build quality; First-rate ergonomics a pro would expect; Superb performance with confident autofocus; Great image quality; Big, bright viewfinder with 100% coverage; Excellent battery life; Doubles as a powerful video capture tool

  • Fairly minor upgrade over the D4; Image quality improvements apply only to JPEG; XQD card format isn't broadly accepted; Consumer-friendly default JPEG processing may turn off some pros; Body is large and hefty (but that's normal for pro gear)

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D4

Sony A65
Nikon D4
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D4S
Nikon D4
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Sony A65
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D4S
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • More cross-type AF points

Compared to Nikon D3200

Sony A65
Nikon D3200
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon D4S
Nikon D3200
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A65
Nikon D5200
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon D4S
Nikon D5200
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Sony A58

Sony A65
Sony A58
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Nikon D4S
Sony A58
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Compare Other Cameras?