Nikon D610 vs Sony A99 II: We compare two Semi-Pro DSLR cameras. The Nikon D610 with a 24.0MP Full frame sensor and the Sony A99 II with a 42.0MP Full frame sensor. Which camera is right for you? Let’s have a look at the main features before we go into more details.
Nikon D610 vs Sony A99 II Specs
Nikon D610 vs Sony A99 II – Comparison
Specifications |
Nikon D610 |
A99 II |
|---|---|---|
| Megapixels | 24.3 | 42.4 |
| Sensor Type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Format | Full Frame (FX) | Full Frame |
| Crop Factor | None | None |
| AA Filter | None | None |
| Image Resolution | 6016 x 4016 | 7952 x 5304 |
| Body Image Stabilization | No | Yes – 5-Axis |
| Lens Mount | Nikon FX | Sony A |
| ISO | 100 – 6,400 | 100 – 25,600 |
| Expanded ISO | 50 – 25,600 | 50 – 102,400 |
| AF Points | 39 | 399 Phase Type |
| Cross-type AF Points | 9 | 79 phase |
| Continuous Mode | 6fps | 12fps |
| LCD | 3.2″ – Fixed | 3.0″ – Articulating |
| LCD Resolution | 921,000 dots | 1,228,800 dots |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
| Focus Peaking | No | Yes |
| Top LCD Display | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder Type | Optical | EVF |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.70x | 0.78x |
| Video Resolution | 1920×1080 (60/50/30/25/24p) | 3840×2160 (30/25/24p) |
| 1280×720 (60/50p) | 1920×1080 (120/100/60/50p) | |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Memory Card Type | SD + SD | 2 x SD or MS Pro |
| Dual Card Slots | Yes | Yes |
| SD UHS Support | UHS-I | UHS-I |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/4000 | 1/8000 |
| Slowest Shutter Speed | 30″ | 30″ |
| Bulb Mode | Yes | Yes |
| JPEG Buffer Size | 30 | 61 |
| RAW Buffer Size | 15 | 25 |
| Time Lapse | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | No |
| Max Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/250 |
| Startup Time | 0.3s | 1.2s |
| Built-in Wi-Fi | No | Yes |
| Built-in GPS | No | No |
| Built-in NFC | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| USB Type | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 |
| Environmentally Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 900 shots | 490 shots |
| Battery Included | Yes (EN-EL15) | Yes (NP-FM500H) |
| Weight | 30.0 oz (850g) | 29.9 oz (849g) |
| Size | 5.6 x 4.4 x 3.2″ | 5.6 x 4.2 x 3.0″ |
| Price | Amazon | Amazon |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2016 |
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A99 II Common Features
| External Flash Shoe | Yes vs Yes | Better for flash photography |
| Viewfinder | Yes (Optical) vs Yes (Electronic) | Better framing and control |
| RAW Support | Yes vs Yes | Better image quality |
| Face Detection Focus | Yes vs Yes | Useful for portraits |
| Max Resolution | 24 MP vs 42 MP | Bigger prints and more details |
| LCD Screen Resolution | 921k dots vs 1.229k dots | Higher resolution screens |
| Microphone Port | Yes vs Yes | High-quality audio recording option |
| Headphone Port | Yes vs Yes | Better video control |
| Environmental Sealing | Yes vs Yes | Shoot at tough conditions |
| Top LCD Display | Yes vs Yes | Help viewing and changing settings easily |
| AE Bracketing | Yes vs Yes | Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR |
| AF Micro Adjustment (Fine Tune) | Yes vs Yes | Adjust each lens for accurate focusing |
| Shutter Life Expectancy | 150000 cycles vs 300000 cycles | High Shutter Rating |
| Dual-axis Electronic Level | Yes vs Yes | Level the camera easily in two axis |
| Storage Slot | 2 vs 2 | Extra Storage Slot |
Size Comparison
The Sony A99 II is 9mm shorter and 6mm thinner than the Nikon D610. However, it is also 2mm wider. The Sony Alpha A99 II is also 1g lighter than the Nikon D610.
Nikon D610 vs Sony A99 II – Comparison
Sensor Comparison
The Nikon D610 has a 24.0MP Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features an Expeed 3 processor. Meanwhile, the Sony A99 II has a 42.0MP Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm ) sized BSI-CMOS sensor and features Bionz X processor. Sony A99 II’s sensor provides 18MP more than the Nikon D610’s sensor. A huge gap. You can print and crop more freely with the A99 II. Sony A99 II’s sensor also lacks an anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter.
Why You Should Choose The Nikon D5500
| Built-in Flash | Yes vs No | Useful in low-light |
| LCD Screen Size | 3.2″ vs 3″ | 0.2 inches larger display |
| Battery Life | 900 shots vs 490 shots | 410 more frames with a single charge |
| Timelapse Recording | Yes vs No | Creative shooting |
| Dynamic Range | 14.4 vs 13.4 | Higher dynamic range |
| Low Light ISO | 2925 vs 2317 | Better High ISO performance |
| Sensor Pixel Area | 35.66µm2 vs 20.43µm2 | 74% larger pixel area |
| Price | $1,480 vs $3,198 | $1,718 cheaper |
Advantages of the Nikon D610 Over Sony A99 II
- LCD – 3.2″ vs 3.0″.
- Built-in Flash
- Battery Life – 900 shots vs 490 shots.
Video: Nikon D610 Hands-on Review
Why You Should Choose The Sony A99 II
| Wireless Connection | Built-In vs Optional | Better connectivity |
| Built-in Image Stabilization | Sensor-shift vs None | All the lenses are stabilized |
| Articulating Screen | Yes vs No | Flexible shooting positions |
| Max Sensor Resolution | 42 MP vs 24 MP | 75% more pixels |
| Max ISO | 25.600 vs 6.400 | 300% higher Max ISO |
| Number of Focus Points | 399 vs 39 | 360 more focus points |
| Number of Cross Type Focus Points | 79 vs 9 | 70 more cross type focus points |
| LCD Screen Resolution | 1.229k dots vs 921k dots | 33% higher resolution screen |
| Max Shutter Speed | 1/8000s vs 1/4000s | Faster shutter speed |
| Continuous Shooting | 12.0fps vs 6.0fps | 6 fps faster |
| Weight | 849 g vs 850 g | 1 g lighter |
| Color Depth | 25.4 vs 25.1 | Higher color depth |
| Max Video Resolution | 3840 x 2160 vs 1920 x 1080 | Higher Resolution Video |
| Flash Sync Port | Yes vs No | Connect off-camera flash |
| Selfie Friendly LCD | Yes vs No | Rotate LCD for taking Selfies |
| NFC Connection | Yes vs No | Easy wireless connectivity with compatible devices |
| Shutter Life Expectancy | 300000 cycles vs 150000 cycles | Longer use without changing the shutter mechanism |
| Smartphone_remote control | Yes vs No | Remote control your camera with a smartphone |
| Min Focus Sensitivity | EV -4 vs EV -1 | Autofocus in lower light |
Advantages of the Sony A99 II Over the Nikon D610
- Megapixels – 18.1 more megapixels. For printing big and cropping, the Sony A99 II is a much better choice.
- Body Image Stabilization – The Sony A99 II has built-in body stabilization for photos and videos, which is an excellent feature for traveling and shooting in low light.
- ISO – 102,400 vs 25,600. Higher maximum ISO sensitivity.
- AF Points – 399 Phase Type vs 39.
- Continuous mode – 12fps vs 6fps. It’s an advantage, but not something you will really notice that often.
- LCD – It’s articulated.
- LCD Resolution – Higher resolution.
- Focus Peaking – Very useful for seeing if your subject is in focus (both photo and video).
- Viewfinder Magnification – Higher magnification.
- Video Resolution – 4K video available.
- Faster Max Shutter Speed – 1/8000 vs 1/4000.
- JPEG Buffer Size – 61 vs 30.
- RAW Buffer Size – 25 vs 15.
- Max Flash Sync Speed – 1/250 vs 1/200.
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Built-in NFC
- Bluetooth Support