a99 VS D800 high ISO

[Greg McCary]

You be the judge but from my end the a99 is all but as good as the D800 and if you add the features I love the flip out screen, focus peaking, IBIS and EVF it's no contest. With a bad back/neck I really appreciate those tools as invaluable. Sorry no EXIF but these are Jpegs just resized. At or around F/6.3.

[Franglais]

When I look at these images there are differences in colour and contrast due to the processing engine and parameters - but - the 12800 ISO Sony image strikes me as being off, especially the background. As though the camera was straining to produce an image whereas the D800 at 12800 ISO has produced pretty much the same image as at 6400 ISO.

It's still a remarkable performance.

[Greg McCary]

Charles I think D800 has more color depth. Certainly the Nikon signature. Today's sensors are really good.

[Photo-John]

You can also check our high-res studio sample photos for both cameras if you want:

Nikon D800 Studio Sample Photos >>
Sony Alpha A99 Studio Sample Photos >>

It's sort of funny to be comparing which camera has better image quality at ISO 12,800 don't you think? In so many ways, we're living in a world that would have seemed absurd and surreal 10 or 15 years ago

[Anbesol]

lol. If you look closely, this Ferrari has 2.5 more horse power in its engine than this Lamborghini! Be it Lamborghini or Ferrari, we're sure to go fast. And really really fast is fast enough for me.

On my monitor the color temps look slightly cool on the Sony and slightly warm on the Nikon, the Sony looks more accurate but there is more of a color deviation on its 12,800 esp in bg. I wonder if the noise processing effects color in this way. I assume these all had the same wb/hue set? Seems strange there is this difference in temp. In my opinion, the Sony 6400 is the winner here, and the Sony 12800 is the loser, Nikon stays in the middle on both. Not surprised tippy top ISO speed is slightly in Nikons favor. But, quite pedantic pixel peeping at that.

[Greg McCary]

Well Charlie the a99 keeps surprising me. Just when I think it starts to fall off at 6400 I take a picture that is very noise free. It's almost like the consistentcy can vary, strange. I am sure maybe internal heat, extreme cold could some how make a difference.

lol. If you look closely, this Ferrari has 2.5 more horse power in its engine than this Lamborghini! Be it Lamborghini or Ferrari, we're sure to go fast. And really really fast is fast enough for me.

On my monitor the color temps look slightly cool on the Sony and slightly warm on the Nikon, the Sony looks more accurate but there is more of a color deviation on its 12,800 esp in bg. I wonder if the noise processing effects color in this way. I assume these all had the same wb/hue set? Seems strange there is this difference in temp. In my opinion, the Sony 6400 is the winner here, and the Sony 12800 is the loser, Nikon stays in the middle on both. Not surprised tippy top ISO speed is slightly in Nikons favor. But, quite pedantic pixel peeping at that.