• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 45.7 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony A7 II advantages over Nikon D850

  • Less expensive
    $998 vs $2497*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 4.35 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    59 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon D850 advantages over Sony A7 II

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 1.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1840 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Newer
    7 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    590k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.08 vs 0.22 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    45.7 vs 24.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 52 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    200 vs 28 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization; Sensor-shift IS brings stabilization to nearly any lens; Much-improved ergonomics and top-deck control layout; 'Mark II' maintains same impressive image quality, dynamic range and high ISO performance; XAVC S 50Mbps video format; Faster start-up time; Hybrid AF performs well with good continuous AF.

  • (Similar to A7): Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Battery life could be better; Low-light AF still not as good as most DSLRs; High ISO JPEGs look over-processed; Slow buffer clearing; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses (but it's getting better).

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A7 II
Sony A7
  • $1175
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $819
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
Nikon D850
Sony A7
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $819
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7 II
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $1175
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Nikon D850
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Sony A99 II

Sony A7 II
Sony A99 II
  • $1175
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
Nikon D850
Sony A99 II
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Sony A7 II
Pentax K-1 II
  • $1175
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • High resolution composite
Nikon D850
Pentax K-1 II
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II
Sony A7 III
  • $1175
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Nikon D850
Sony A7 III
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Compare Other Cameras?