Nikon
D850
Legendary 45MP DSLR still favored by landscape and studio photographers.
$3,299
Released Aug 2017
Sony
Alpha 1 II
50MP stacked flagship with 30fps RAW, 8K video, and Sony's fastest hybrid performance.
$6,499
Released Nov 2024
Alpha 1 II is 7.3 years newer.
Wins
D850
Wins
Alpha 1 II
2 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 1 II has higher IBIS effectiveness (8.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 153)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 7 fps)
- BAlpha 1 II has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- AD850 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (1840 shots vs 520 shots)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
D850
146 × 124 × 79 mm
915 g (2.02 lb / 32.28 oz)
Alpha 1 II
136 × 97 × 83 mm
743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)
D850 is 4mm thinner than Alpha 1 II but it is also 10mm wider and 27mm taller.
D850 is 172 g heavier than Alpha 1 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 79mm D850 · 83mm Alpha 1 II
Sensor size, to scale
D850
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Alpha 1 II
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D850
Nikon F
270+
native lenses available
Alpha 1 II
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
D850
Codecs
Adds H.264/AVC
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 146, 124, 78.5
Battery life (CIPA)
1840 shots vs 520 shots — higher is better
Card types
Adds XQD
ISO min (native)
64 vs 100 — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 1 II
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
IBIS effectiveness
8.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
AF points / zones
759 vs 153 — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 7 fps — higher is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
AA filter
Only Alpha 1 II supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
- ✓Microphone jack (3.5mm) — Both support microphone jack (3.5mm)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D850
Pros
- ✓45MP DSLR classic
- ✓Excellent dynamic range
- ✓Huge F-mount lens library
Cons
- –DSLR mirror system
- –Heavy
- –No modern mirrorless AF
Alpha 1 II
Pros
- ✓50MP stacked sensor
- ✓30fps blackout-free burst
- ✓8K 30p video
- ✓Best Sony AF
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Complex menus
- –Large files
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, D850 or Alpha 1 II?
Alpha 1 II scores 9.5/10 versus 1.5/10 for D850 — 30fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the D850 and Alpha 1 II?
D850 is 45.7 MP and Alpha 1 II is 50.1 MP, so the Alpha 1 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D850 and Alpha 1 II have in-body image stabilization?
D850 does not have IBIS, while alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D850 or the Alpha 1 II?
D850 reaches 7 fps electronic. Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D850 and Alpha 1 II?
D850 weighs 915 g and Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g, so the Alpha 1 II is 172 g lighter.
Do the D850 and Alpha 1 II record 4K video?
D850: 4K up to 30p. Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D850 and Alpha 1 II weather sealed?
D850: Yes. Alpha 1 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 1,840 shots (CIPA) for the D850 and 520 shots for the Alpha 1 II, giving the D850 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D850 launched at $3,299 and Alpha 1 II at $6,499. The D850 is $3,200 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Sony press materials.