Nikon
D850
Legendary 45MP DSLR still favored by landscape and studio photographers.
$3,299
Launch priceReleased Aug 2017
Sony
Alpha 7 V
33MP partially stacked Exmor RS hybrid with BIONZ XR2 AI, 30fps blackout-free burst, 7.5-stop IBIS, and 4K 60p oversampled from 7K.
$2,899
Launch priceReleased Dec 2025
Alpha 7 V is 8.3 years newer.
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Wins
D850
Wins
Alpha 7 V
2 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 V has higher IBIS effectiveness (7.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BAlpha 7 V has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 153)
- BAlpha 7 V has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 7 fps)
- BAlpha 7 V has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- AD850 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (1840 shots vs 630 shots)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
D850
146 × 124 × 79 mm
915 g (2.02 lb / 32.28 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 7 V
130 × 96 × 82 mm
695 g (1.53 lb / 24.52 oz)
D850 is 4mm thinner than Alpha 7 V but it is also 16mm wider and 28mm taller.
D850 is 220 g heavier than Alpha 7 V.
Depth (front-to-back): 79mm D850 · 82mm Alpha 7 V
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D850
146 × 124 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 V
130 × 96 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D850
146 × 79 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 V
130 × 82 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D850
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Alpha 7 V
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D850
Nikon F
270+
native lenses available
Alpha 7 V
✓ 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 630 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 V
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
IBIS effectiveness
7.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 130.3, 96.4, 82.4
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 7 V 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 V
Pros
- ✓33MP partially stacked sensor — ~4.5× faster readout than α7 IV
- ✓Blackout-free 30 fps with full AF/AE (electronic shutter)
- ✓7.5-stop central / 6.5-stop peripheral IBIS (CIPA 2024)
- ✓759-point phase-detect AF down to EV -4 with AI subject recognition
- ✓7K oversampled 4K 60p (full-frame, no pixel binning) + 4K 120p
- ✓Pre-Capture and dual USB-C (10 Gbps + USB 2.0)
- ✓Up to 16 stops dynamic range
Cons
- –Premium price vs α7 IV
- –4K 120p typically requires APS-C / Super 35 crop
- –Heavier than α7 IV (695 g vs 659 g with battery)
- –Complex menu and feature set
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D850 and Alpha 7 V at major authorized retailers.
Nikon D850
Sony Alpha 7 V
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, D850 or Alpha 7 V?
Alpha 7 V scores 10.0/10 versus 1.5/10 for D850 — 30fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the D850 and Alpha 7 V?
D850 is 45.7 MP and Alpha 7 V is 33 MP, so the D850 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D850 and Alpha 7 V have in-body image stabilization?
D850 does not have IBIS, while alpha 7 V has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D850 or the Alpha 7 V?
D850 reaches 7 fps electronic. Alpha 7 V reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D850 and Alpha 7 V?
D850 weighs 915 g and Alpha 7 V weighs 695 g, so the Alpha 7 V is 220 g lighter.
Do the D850 and Alpha 7 V record 4K video?
D850: 4K up to 30p. Alpha 7 V: 4K up to 120p.
Are the D850 and Alpha 7 V weather sealed?
D850: Yes. Alpha 7 V: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 1,840 shots (CIPA) for the D850 and 630 shots for the Alpha 7 V, giving the D850 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D850 launched at $3,299 and Alpha 7 V at $2,899. The Alpha 7 V is $400 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Sony press materials.