• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
  • Nikon D780
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Nikon D750
D750 vs D780
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A850 D780
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $1999.95 $2299.95
Street Price: $2,219.00 $1,830.28
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2020-01-25
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.0 oz (850 g) 29.6 oz (840 g)
Size: 6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
5.6 x 4.5 x 3.0 in.
(144 x 116 x 76 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 24.6 24.5
Sensor Format: 35mm 35mm
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 858.01mm2 (35.90mm x 23.90mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.94 microns 5.94 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 79  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.8  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,415  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 6048 x 4032 (24.4 MP, 3:2),
6048 x 3408 (20.6 MP, Other),
4400 x 2936 (12.9 MP, 3:2),
4400 x 2472 (10.9 MP, 16:9),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2),
2896 x 1928 (5.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 1704 (5.2 MP, Other),
1984 x 1320 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
6048 x 4024 (24.3 MP, 3:2),
4528 x 3016 (13.7 MP, 3:2),
3014 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2),
6048 x 3400 (20.6 MP, 16:9),
4528 x 2544 (11.5 MP, 16:9),
3024 x 1696 (5.1 MP, 16:9),
4016 x 4016 (16.1 MP, 1:1),
3008 x 3008 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2000 x 2000 (4.0 MP, 1:1),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
2944 x 1968 (5.8 MP, 3:2),
1968 x 1312 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (NEF), lossless compressed, compressed 14 or 12-bit; RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 12.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (120p/​100p/​60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
Movie File Format:   MOV (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video with Linear PCM audio)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Nikon F
Lens: n/a Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR; 17 elements in 13 groups, including 3 aspherical and 2 ED elements
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   24 - 120mm
Focal Length (actual):   24 - 120mm
Zoom Ratio:   5.00x
Aperture Range:   f/4 - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   45 cm to Infinity
17.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 77.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection with 10 assist points, center dual-cross at f/2.8. OVF: 51-point (15 cross-type, f/8 supported by 11 points) TTL phase detection with 3D focus tracking via Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX II; Hybrid phase/contrast-detect AF in Live View mode
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism with 98% coverage, 0.74x mag., 20mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter SLR type; fixed eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.70x magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.74x 0.70x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.74x 0.70x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.2
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 2,359,296 dots (786,432 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 19.0x  
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 51200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400 ISO 100 - 51,200, Lo-1 (ISO 50), Hi-1 (ISO 102,400), Hi-2 (ISO 204,800), Auto (adjustable)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temperature from 2,500K to 9,900K, Custom (3) Auto (3 types), natural light auto, direct sunlight, cloudy, shade, incandescent, fluorescent (7 types), flash, choose color temperature (2500K-10,000K), preset manual (up to 6 values can be stored, spot white balance measurement available during live view photography), all except choose color temperature with fine-tuning
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 900 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot 180,000-pixel RGB sensor; 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G, E, and D lenses), Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area; Highlight-weighted
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   EFCT Special effect modes: night vision; super vivid; pop; photo illustration; toy camera effect; miniature effect; selective color; silhouette; high key; low key; U1 and U2 user settings; Active D-Lighting
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2/5/10/20 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: n/a Front-curtain sync, Slow sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe, PC-sync ISO-type Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-II
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) RAW (NEF), lossless compressed, compressed 14 or 12-bit; RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   MOV (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video with Linear PCM audio)
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No Yes
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 3.0 Super Speed,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless Via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth; optional wired or wireless
Connections (extended): DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack USB 3.1 Gen1 USB-C, Type-C Mini HDMI, Accessory Terminal, 3.5mm Stereo Mic Jack, 3.5mm Stereo Headphone Jack, Built-in Wi-Fi
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.40  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.50  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 23  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.0 12.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 23  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   12.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   12.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.154 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 880 shots 2260 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary EN-EL15b/EN-EL15a/EN-EL15
Usable Battery Types: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable (ext. battery grip not supported)
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL15b Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: Yes
Software
Included Software: Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only). Nikon software available for download
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000Pro/XP/Vista; Mac OS X (v 10.1.3+)  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Cost reduced Sony A900. Smaller viewfinder (98% vs 100%), slower burst mode (3 fps vs 5), wireless remote not included.