Decision tools · Compare
D800 vs A1 II
Quick take: The A1 II has the highest resolution at 50MP; the D800 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Sony
A1 II 2024
Best for Professional sports, wildlife & high-resolution studio work
£5699
new today at Clifton Cameras
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A1 II — Professional Sports, Wildlife & High-Resolution Studio Work: The most complete camera ever made — 50MP, 30fps, 8K, and the world's best EVF in a single flagship body.
Who should buy what
A1 II (2024)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional sports and wildlife photographers who need 30fps, 50MP, and the best AF available
- Commercial and advertising photographers who demand 50MP resolution alongside pro video specs
- Photojournalists who need a single body capable of handling every assignment
- Sony system shooters ready to invest in the absolute best
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | D800Nikon · 2012 | A1 IISony · 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £230Best | £5,699 |
| Sensor | 36.3MP full-frame CMOS | 50.1MP full-frame stacked BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 36.3MP | 50.1MPBest |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/30, 720p/60 | 8K/30p, 4K/120p 10-bit, S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | 51-point phase-detect (15 cross-type) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view | AI subject recognition — human, animal, bird, insect, vehicle, aircraft, train |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | 8.5-stop IBIS (with in-lens OSS) |
| Burst Rate | 4fps | 30fps electronic (with full AF/AE), 10fps mechanicalBest |
| Battery Life | ~900 shots (CIPA)Best | ~530 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 1000g (with battery) | 743g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 146 × 123 × 81.5mm | 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.7x | EVF 0.9× 9.44M-dot — the highest resolution EVF available |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed LCD, 921k dots | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 2.1M dots |
| Mount | Nikon F mount | Sony E-mount (full-frame) |
| Memory Cards | Dual slots: CompactFlash + SD | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB 3.0, mini HDMI, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacks, 10-pin remote | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, Wi-Fi 6GHz, Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI full-size |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
D800
A1 II
Portrait
6.3/10
9.0/10
Street
4.5/10
6.6/10
Travel
4.7/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
6.6/10
8.7/10
Documentary
5.3/10
8.3/10
Sports & Action
5.6/10
9.3/10
Landscape
6.0/10
8.0/10
Wildlife
5.8/10
9.2/10
Casual
2.7/10
5.3/10
Food
4.5/10
8.5/10
Macro
4.0/10
8.1/10
Architecture
5.6/10
8.4/10
Astrophotography
6.0/10
7.2/10
Vlogging & Video
—
6.4/10
Filmmaking
—
8.2/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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