• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony A65 advantages over Nikon D810

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Nikon D810 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
    ~ 4.88 vs 3.95 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,853 vs 717 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.8 vs 12.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1200 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
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    36.3 vs 24.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A65

Review Excerpt

  • Handles even better than its predecessors; Absolutely spectacular images from the 36-megapixel image sensor; Unusually wide sensitivity range for its resolution; Improved performance and buffer depths; Improved video feature set; Impressive low-light autofocus

  • Prone to moire and false color with some subjects; No longer available with a low-pass filter; Demands excellent lenses for the best detail; White balance tends warm under tungsten lighting

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A65
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D810
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony A65
Nikon D800
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D810
Nikon D800
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Nikon D3200

Sony A65
Nikon D3200
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon D810
Nikon D3200
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $477
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Nikon D800E

Sony A65
Nikon D800E
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D810
Nikon D800E
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon D5200

Sony A65
Nikon D5200
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Nikon D810
Nikon D5200
  • $2363
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $590
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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