Nikon
D850
Legendary 45MP DSLR still favored by landscape and studio photographers.
$3,299
Released Aug 2017
Sony
Alpha 7R VI
66.8MP fully-stacked full-frame high-resolution body with 30fps bursts, 8K 30p, 4K 120p, and Sony's new BIONZ XR2 engine.
$4,499
Released Jun 2026
Alpha 7R VI is 8.8 years newer.
Wins
D850
Wins
Alpha 7R VI
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7R VI has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 153)
- BAlpha 7R VI has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 7 fps)
- BAlpha 7R VI has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- AD850 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (1840 shots vs 600 shots)
- AD850 has lower ISO min (native) (64 vs 100)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
D850
146 × 124 × 79 mm
915 g (2.02 lb / 32.28 oz)
Alpha 7R VI
133 × 97 × 83 mm
713 g (1.57 lb / 25.15 oz)
D850 is 4mm thinner than Alpha 7R VI but it is also 13mm wider and 27mm taller.
D850 is 202 g heavier than Alpha 7R VI.
Depth (front-to-back): 79mm D850 · 83mm Alpha 7R VI
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D850
146 × 124 mm
Alpha 7R VI
133 × 97 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D850
146 × 79 mm
Alpha 7R VI
133 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D850
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Alpha 7R VI
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D850
Nikon F
270+
native lenses available
Alpha 7R VI
✓ 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
Card types
Adds XQD, SD UHS-II
Battery life (CIPA)
1840 shots vs 600 shots — higher is better
Weather sealing
Only D850 supports it
ISO min (native)
64 vs 100 — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7R VI
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 132.7, 96.9, 82.9
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SDXC UHS-II
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
Both cameras share
- ✓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)
- ✓Headphone jack (3.5mm) — Both support headphone 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 7R VI
Pros
- ✓66.8MP fully-stacked Exmor RS sensor
- ✓30fps blackout-free electronic burst
- ✓8K 30p and 4K 120p video
- ✓8.5-stop in-body stabilization
- ✓9.44M-dot HDR OLED EVF
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Large files demand fast cards and storage
- –8K workflow can be heavy
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, D850 or Alpha 7R VI?
Alpha 7R VI scores 8.0/10 versus 3.0/10 for D850 — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the D850 and Alpha 7R VI?
D850 is 45.7 MP and Alpha 7R VI is 66.8 MP, so the Alpha 7R VI captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D850 and Alpha 7R VI have in-body image stabilization?
D850 does not have IBIS, while alpha 7R VI has in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D850 or the Alpha 7R VI?
D850 reaches 7 fps electronic. Alpha 7R VI reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D850 and Alpha 7R VI?
D850 weighs 915 g and Alpha 7R VI weighs 713 g, so the Alpha 7R VI is 202 g lighter.
Do the D850 and Alpha 7R VI record 4K video?
D850: 4K up to 30p. Alpha 7R VI: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D850 and Alpha 7R VI weather sealed?
D850: Yes. Alpha 7R VI: No.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 1,840 shots (CIPA) for the D850 and 600 shots for the Alpha 7R VI, giving the D850 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D850 launched at $3,299 and Alpha 7R VI at $4,499. The D850 is $1,200 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon and Sony press materials.