Nikon
D850
Legendary 45MP DSLR still favored by landscape and studio photographers.
$3,299
Released Aug 2017
Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Released Oct 2021
Alpha 7 IV is 4.2 years newer.
Wins
D850
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
2 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher IBIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 153)
- AD850 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (1840 shots vs 580 shots)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 30 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
D850
146 × 124 × 79 mm
915 g (2.02 lb / 32.28 oz)
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
D850 is 1mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV but it is also 15mm wider and 28mm taller.
D850 is 257 g heavier than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 79mm D850 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Sensor size, to scale
D850
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D850
Nikon F
270+
native lenses available
Alpha 7 IV
✓ 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 580 shots — higher is better
Card types
Adds XQD
ISO min (native)
64 vs 100 — lower is better
Resolution
45.7 MP vs 33 MP — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
IBIS effectiveness
5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
AF points / zones
759 vs 153 — higher is better
AA filter
Only Alpha 7 IV supports it
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Eye AF
Only Alpha 7 IV 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 7 IV
Pros
- ✓33MP — more detail for cropping and print
- ✓10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
- ✓Full-size HDMI port
- ✓759 phase-detect AF points
Cons
- –4K 60p requires Super35 crop
- –10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
- –Complex menu system
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, D850 or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 8.0/10 versus 1.5/10 for D850 — Bird AF subject recognition.
What's the resolution difference between the D850 and Alpha 7 IV?
D850 is 45.7 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the D850 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D850 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
D850 does not have IBIS, while alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D850 or the Alpha 7 IV?
D850 reaches 7 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D850 and Alpha 7 IV?
D850 weighs 915 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 7 IV is 257 g lighter.
Do the D850 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
D850: 4K up to 30p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the D850 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
D850: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 1,840 shots (CIPA) for the D850 and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the D850 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D850 launched at $3,299 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Alpha 7 IV is $800 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Sony press materials.