Nikon Z fc vs Sony A850
The Nikon Z fc and the Sony Alpha A850 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in June 2021 and August 2009. The Z fc is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the A850 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on an APS-C (Z fc) and a full frame (A850) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 20.7 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 24.4 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Check Z fc price at
amazon.com

Check A850 offers at
ebay.com
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon Z fc and the Sony Alpha A850? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparison
An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon Z fc and the Sony A850 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The Z fc can be obtained in seven different colors (silver, grey, brown, pink, green, white, beige), while the A850 is only available in black.



If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A850 is considerably larger (44 percent) than the Nikon Z fc. Moreover, the A850 is substantially heavier (101 percent) than the Z fc. It is noteworthy in this context that the A850 is splash and dust-proof, while the Z fc does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.
Concerning battery life, the Z fc gets 300 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL25 battery, while the A850 can take 880 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FM500H power pack. The power pack in the Z fc can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.
The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

| Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikon Z fc | 135 mm | 94 mm | 44 mm | 445 g | 300 | n | Jun 2021 | EUR 999 | amazon.com | |
| 2. | Sony A850 | 156 mm | 117 mm | 82 mm | 895 g | 880 | Y | Aug 2009 | EUR 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Canon 77D | 131 mm | 100 mm | 76 mm | 540 g | 600 | n | Feb 2017 | EUR 899 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Canon R10 | 123 mm | 88 mm | 83 mm | 429 g | 450 | n | May 2022 | EUR 979 | amazon.com | |
| 5. | Fujifilm X-T20 | 118 mm | 83 mm | 41 mm | 383 g | 350 | n | Jan 2017 | EUR 799 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Nikon 1 V3 | 111 mm | 65 mm | 33 mm | 381 g | 310 | n | Mar 2014 | EUR 749 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Nikon D3500 | 124 mm | 97 mm | 70 mm | 415 g | 1550 | n | Aug 2018 | EUR 449 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Nikon D5300 | 125 mm | 98 mm | 76 mm | 480 g | 600 | n | Oct 2013 | EUR 749 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Nikon D5500 | 124 mm | 97 mm | 70 mm | 470 g | 820 | n | Jan 2015 | EUR 799 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Nikon D5600 | 124 mm | 97 mm | 70 mm | 465 g | 970 | n | Nov 2016 | EUR 819 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Nikon Z30 | 128 mm | 74 mm | 60 mm | 405 g | 330 | Y | Jun 2022 | EUR 799 | amazon.com | |
| 12. | Nikon Z50 | 127 mm | 94 mm | 60 mm | 450 g | 320 | Y | Oct 2019 | EUR 799 | amazon.com | |
| 13. | Sony A7 II | 127 mm | 96 mm | 60 mm | 599 g | 350 | Y | Nov 2014 | EUR 2 099 | ebay.com | |
| 14. | Sony A77 | 143 mm | 104 mm | 81 mm | 732 g | 470 | Y | Aug 2011 | EUR 1 299 | ebay.com | |
| 15. | Sony A99 | 147 mm | 111 mm | 78 mm | 812 g | 500 | Y | Sep 2012 | EUR 2 799 | ebay.com | |
| 16. | Sony A99 II | 143 mm | 104 mm | 76 mm | 849 g | 490 | Y | Sep 2016 | EUR 3 599 | ebay.com | |
| 17. | Sony A900 | 156 mm | 117 mm | 82 mm | 895 g | 880 | Y | Sep 2008 | EUR 2 799 | ebay.com | |
| Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The Z fc was launched at a markedly lower price (by 52 percent) than the A850, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.
Sensor comparison
The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.
Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon Z fc features an APS-C sensor and the Sony A850 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A850 is 134 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

With 24.4MP, the A850 offers a higher resolution than the Z fc (20.7MP), but the A850 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.94μm versus 4.22μm for the Z fc) due to its larger sensor. However, the Z fc is a much more recent model (by 11 years and 10 months) than the A850, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the Z fc has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.
The resolution advantage of the Sony A850 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A850 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30.2 x 20.2 inches or 76.8 x 51.2 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24.2 x 16.1 inches or 61.4 x 41 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20.2 x 13.4 inches or 51.2 x 34.1 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon Z fc are 27.8 x 18.6 inches or 70.7 x 47.1 cm for good quality, 22.3 x 14.8 inches or 56.6 x 37.7 cm for very good quality, and 18.6 x 12.4 inches or 47.1 x 31.4 cm for excellent quality prints.
The Z fc has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.
The Nikon Z fc has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 51200, which can be extended to ISO 100-204800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha A850 are ISO 200 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-6400.
Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

| Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikon Z fc | APS-C | 20.7 | 5568 | 3712 | 4K/30p | 24.2 | 13.8 | 2131 | 85 | |
| 2. | Sony A850 | Full Frame | 24.4 | 6048 | 4032 | none | 23.8 | 12.2 | 1415 | 79 | |
| 3. | Canon 77D | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 23.6 | 13.3 | 971 | 78 | |
| 4. | Canon R10 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4k/60p | 24.1 | 13.8 | 2085 | 84 | |
| 5. | Fujifilm X-T20 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 23.9 | 13.2 | 1704 | 81 | |
| 6. | Nikon 1 V3 | 1-inch | 18.2 | 5232 | 3488 | 1080/60p | 20.8 | 10.7 | 384 | 52 | |
| 7. | Nikon D3500 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.0 | 13.4 | 1851 | 83 | |
| 8. | Nikon D5300 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.0 | 13.9 | 1338 | 83 | |
| 9. | Nikon D5500 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.1 | 14.0 | 1438 | 84 | |
| 10. | Nikon D5600 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.1 | 14.0 | 1306 | 84 | |
| 11. | Nikon Z30 | APS-C | 20.7 | 5568 | 3712 | 4K/30p | 24.3 | 13.9 | 2230 | 86 | |
| 12. | Nikon Z50 | APS-C | 20.7 | 5568 | 3712 | 4K/30p | 24.1 | 13.6 | 1963 | 84 | |
| 13. | Sony A7 II | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.9 | 13.6 | 2449 | 90 | |
| 14. | Sony A77 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.0 | 13.2 | 801 | 78 | |
| 15. | Sony A99 | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 25.0 | 14.0 | 1555 | 89 | |
| 16. | Sony A99 II | Full Frame | 42.2 | 7952 | 5304 | 4K/30p | 25.4 | 13.4 | 2317 | 92 | |
| 17. | Sony A900 | Full Frame | 24.4 | 6048 | 4032 | none | 23.7 | 12.3 | 1431 | 79 | |
| Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. | |||||||||||
Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The Z fc indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the A850 does not. The highest resolution format that the Z fc can use is 4K/30p.
Feature comparison
Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the Z fc has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the A850 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinder in the Z fc offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the A850 (98%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. On the other hand, the viewfinder of the A850 has a higher magnification (0.74x vs 0.68x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Nikon Z fc, the Sony A850, and comparable cameras.

| Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikon Z fc | 2360 | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 11.0/s | n | n | |
| 2. | Sony A850 | optical | Y | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 3.0/s | n | Y | |
| 3. | Canon 77D | optical | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 6.0/s | Y | n | |
| 4. | Canon R10 | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 15.0/s | Y | n | |
| 5. | Fujifilm X-T20 | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 8.0/s | Y | n | |
| 6. | Nikon 1 V3 | optional | n | 3.0 / 1037 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 60.0/s | Y | n | |
| 7. | Nikon D3500 | optical | n | 3.0 / 921 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
| 8. | Nikon D5300 | optical | n | 3.2 / 1037 | swivel | n | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
| 9. | Nikon D5500 | optical | n | 3.2 / 1037 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
| 10. | Nikon D5600 | optical | n | 3.2 / 1037 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
| 11. | Nikon Z30 | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 11.0/s | Y | n | |
| 12. | Nikon Z50 | 2360 | n | 3.2 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 11.0/s | Y | n | |
| 13. | Sony A7 II | 2400 | n | 3.0 / 1230 | tilting | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | n | Y | |
| 14. | Sony A77 | 2359 | Y | 3.0 / 921 | full-flex | n | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | Y | Y | |
| 15. | Sony A99 | 2359 | Y | 3.0 / 1229 | full-flex | n | 1/8000s | 6.0/s | n | Y | |
| 16. | Sony A99 II | 2400 | Y | 3.0 / 1229 | full-flex | n | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | n | Y | |
| 17. | Sony A900 | optical | Y | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | n | Y | |
| Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. | |||||||||||
One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The Z fc has a touchscreen, while the A850 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.
The Z fc has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the A850 does not have a selfie-screen.The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the Z fc is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).
The Nikon Z fc has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.
The Z fc writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the A850 uses Compact Flash or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The A850 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the Z fc only has one slot.
Connectivity comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon Z fc and Sony Alpha A850 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

| Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikon Z fc | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
| 2. | Sony A850 | Y | - / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 3. | Canon 77D | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
| 4. | Canon R10 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 5. | Fujifilm X-T20 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 6. | Nikon 1 V3 | - | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 7. | Nikon D3500 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | Y | |
| 8. | Nikon D5300 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 9. | Nikon D5500 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 10. | Nikon D5600 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
| 11. | Nikon Z30 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
| 12. | Nikon Z50 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| 13. | Sony A7 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| 14. | Sony A77 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 15. | Sony A99 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 16. | Sony A99 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
| 17. | Sony A900 | Y | - / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - |
It is notable that the Z fc offers wifi support, while the A850 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.
Studio photographers will appreciate that the Sony A850 (unlike the Z fc) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.
The Z fc is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Nikon. In contrast, the A850 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the A850 from Sony. Further information on the features and operation of the Z fc and A850 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon Z fc Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A850 Manual.
Review summary
So what is the bottom line? Is the Nikon Z fc better than the Sony A850 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Nikon Z fc:
- Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
- Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 4K/30p movies.
- Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
- More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
- More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 98%).
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 922k dots).
- More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
- Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
- More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (11 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
- Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
- More compact: Is smaller (135x94mm vs 156x117mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
- Less heavy: Is lighter (by 450g or 50 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
- Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
- More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
- Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.2 vs 2.0).
- Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
- Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
- More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (52 percent cheaper at launch).
- More modern: Reflects 11 years and 10 months of technical progress since the A850 launch.

Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha A850:
- More detail: Has more megapixels (24.4 vs 20.7MP), which boosts linear resolution by 9%.
- Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
- Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
- Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.74x vs 0.68x).
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
- Longer lasting: Gets more shots (880 versus 300) out of a single battery charge.
- Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
- Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
- Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
- Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
- More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in August 2009).
If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the Z fc is the clear winner of the match-up (21 : 11 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon Z fc and the Sony A850 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the Z fc and the A850 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.
Expert reviews
This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

| Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikon Z fc | 4/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 86/100 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2021 | EUR 999 | amazon.com | |
| 2. | Sony A850 | 3/5 | .. | .. | 75/100 | .. | 4.5/5 | Aug 2009 | EUR 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Canon 77D | 4.5/5 | .. | 4/5 | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2017 | EUR 899 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Canon R10 | 4/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 87/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | May 2022 | EUR 979 | amazon.com | |
| 5. | Fujifilm X-T20 | 5/5 | + + | 5/5 | 82/100 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2017 | EUR 799 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Nikon 1 V3 | 3/5 | .. | .. | 76/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Mar 2014 | EUR 749 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Nikon D3500 | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | 75/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2018 | EUR 449 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Nikon D5300 | 4/5 | + + | .. | 79/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2013 | EUR 749 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Nikon D5500 | 5/5 | + | .. | 79/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2015 | EUR 799 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Nikon D5600 | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | 79/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Nov 2016 | EUR 819 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Nikon Z30 | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | 86/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Jun 2022 | EUR 799 | amazon.com | |
| 12. | Nikon Z50 | 5/5 | .. | 5/5 | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2019 | EUR 799 | amazon.com | |
| 13. | Sony A7 II | 5/5 | + | 4/5 | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Nov 2014 | EUR 2 099 | ebay.com | |
| 14. | Sony A77 | 5/5 | 91/100 | .. | 81/100 | .. | 5/5 | Aug 2011 | EUR 1 299 | ebay.com | |
| 15. | Sony A99 | 5/5 | .. | .. | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2012 | EUR 2 799 | ebay.com | |
| 16. | Sony A99 II | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2016 | EUR 3 599 | ebay.com | |
| 17. | Sony A900 | .. | + + | .. | + + | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Sep 2008 | EUR 2 799 | ebay.com | |
| Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. | |||||||||||
Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Check Z fc price at
amazon.com

Check A850 offers at
ebay.com
Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
- Canon G1 X Mark III vs Sony A850
- Canon M vs Nikon Z fc
- Canon RP vs Nikon Z fc
- Canon XTi vs Sony A850
- Fujifilm GFX 100 vs Sony A850
- Leica D-LUX Typ 109 vs Nikon Z fc
- Leica M Typ 240 vs Nikon Z fc
- Leica M10-R vs Nikon Z fc
- Nikon D5 vs Sony A850
- Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-M10
- Sony A7 vs Sony A850
- Sony A850 vs Sony RX0
Specifications: Nikon Z fc vs Sony A850
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
| Camera Model | Nikon Z fc | Sony A850 |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | Digital single lens reflex |
| Camera Lens | Sony A mount lenses | |
| Launch Date | June 2021 | August 2009 |
| Launch Price | USD 959 | USD 1,999 |
| Sensor Specs | Nikon Z fc | Sony A850 |
| Sensor Technology | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | Full Frame Sensor |
| Sensor Size | 23.5 x 15.7 mm | 35.9 x 24.0 mm |
| Sensor Area | 368.95 mm2 | 861.6 mm2 |
| Sensor Diagonal | 28.3 mm | 43.2 mm |
| Crop Factor | 1.5x | 1.0x |
| Sensor Resolution | 20.7 Megapixels | 24.4 Megapixels |
| Image Resolution | 5568 x 3712 pixels | 6048 x 4032 pixels |
| Pixel Pitch | 4.22 μm | 5.94 μm |
| Pixel Density | 5.60 MP/cm2 | 2.83 MP/cm2 |
| Moiré control | no AA filter | Anti-Alias filter |
| Movie Capability | 4K/30p Video | no Video |
| ISO Setting | 100 - 51,200 ISO | 200 - 3,200 ISO |
| ISO Boost | 100 - 204,800 ISO | 100 - 6,400 ISO |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 6 | BIONZ |
| DXO Sensor Quality (score) | .. | 79 |
| DXO Color Depth (bits) | .. | 23.8 |
| DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | .. | 12.2 |
| DXO Low Light (ISO) | .. | 1415 |
| Screen Specs | Nikon Z fc | Sony A850 |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | Optical viewfinder |
| Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | 98% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.68x | 0.74x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 2360k dots | |
| Top-Level Screen | Control Panel | Control Panel |
| LCD Framing | Live View | |
| Rear LCD Size | 3.0inch | 3.0inch |
| LCD Resolution | 1040k dots | 922k dots |
| LCD Attachment | Swivel screen | Fixed screen |
| Touch Input | Touchscreen | no Touchscreen |
| Shooting Specs | Nikon Z fc | Sony A850 |
| Focus System | On-Sensor Phase-detect | Phase-detect AF |
| Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | no Peaking Feature |
| Continuous Shooting | 11 shutter flaps/s | 3 shutter flaps/s |
| Electronic Shutter | up to 1/4000s | no E-Shutter |
| Time-Lapse Photography | Intervalometer built-in | no Intervalometer |
| Image Stabilization | Lens stabilization only | In-body stabilization |
| Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | no On-Board Flash |
| Storage Medium | SDXC cards | CF or MS cards |
| Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | Dual card slots |
| Connectivity Specs | Nikon Z fc | Sony A850 |
| External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
| Studio Flash | no PC Sync | PC Sync socket |
| USB Connector | USB 3.2 | USB 2.0 |
| HDMI Port | micro HDMI | mini HDMI |
| Microphone Port | External MIC port | no MIC socket |
| Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | no Wifi |
| Bluetooth Support | Bluetooth built-in | no Bluetooth |
| Body Specs | Nikon Z fc | Sony A850 |
| Environmental Sealing | not weather sealed | Weathersealed body |
| Battery Type | Nikon EN-EL25 | Sony NP-FM500H |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 300 shots per charge | 880 shots per charge |
| In-Camera Charging | USB charging | no USB charging |
| Body Dimensions |
135 x 94 x 44 mm (5.3 x 3.7 x 1.7 in) |
156 x 117 x 82 mm (6.1 x 4.6 x 3.2 in) |
| Camera Weight | 445 g (15.7 oz) | 895 g (31.6 oz) |

Check Z fc price at
amazon.com

Check A850 offers at
ebay.com
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