• 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 45.7 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A7S II advantages over Nikon D850

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 8.40 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
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,993 vs 2,660 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    60 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    627g vs 915g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 vs 102400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon D850 advantages over Sony A7S II

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 2.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Better color depth
    26.4 vs 23.6 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • More dynamic range
    14.8 vs 13.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1840 vs 370 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 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    45.7 vs 12.2 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 63 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)

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Comfortable and surprisingly compact camera body; Improved low light performance; Built-in image stabilization; Wide range of usable ISOs; More sophisticated autofocus performance; Excellent video capabilities.

  • Relatively low resolution; Mediocre continuous shooting performance; No built-in flash; No losslessly compressed RAW option.

  • 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 A7S

Sony A7S II
Sony A7S
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Nikon D850
Sony A7S
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A99 II

Sony A7S II
Sony A99 II
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup
Nikon D850
Sony A99 II
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony A9

Sony A7S II
Sony A9
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3147
  • 35mm
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
Nikon D850
Sony A9
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3147
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Sony A7S II
Pentax K-1 II
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Nikon D850
Pentax K-1 II
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony A7S III

Sony A7S II
Sony A7S III
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $3498
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
Nikon D850
Sony A7S III
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $3498
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
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