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Reviewed:
Apr 2010
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The A850 is, next to the flagship DSLR A900, Sony's second full-frame digital camera. The two only noticeable differences in specification between the cameras is a slightly smaller viewfinder and a smaller buffer, resulting in slower continuous shooting, on the A850. With its tank-like build quality, intuitive user-interface and excellent handling the A850 is, despite (or rather because) of the lack of some 'digital' features such as live view or a movie mode, a no-nonsense photographers' camera that delivers excellent image quality at base ISO but cannot quite keep up with the competition at higher sensitivities.
Wildlife and sports photographers would almost certainly prefer better low light performance, faster continuous shooting and autofocus but for resolution-hungry applications in good light, such as landscape or studio photography, the A850 is a more than valid option. This is especially true for those photographers who operate on a tighter budget but do not want to do without the full-frame format.
| Quick links: | Announcement | Review | Sample gallery | Forum |
| Announced: | Aug 27, 2009 |
| Body type | ||
| Body type | Mid-size SLR | |
| Sensor | ||
| Max resolution | 6048 x 4032 | ? |
| Other resolutions | 4400 x 2936, 4400 x 2936, 3024 x 2016, 6048 x 3408, 4400 x 2472, 3024 x 1704, 3924 x 2656, 2896 x 1928, 1984 x 1320 | ? |
| Image ratio w:h | 3:2, 16:9 | ? |
| Effective pixels | 24.6 megapixels | ? |
| Sensor photo detectors | 25.7 megapixels | ? |
| Sensor size | Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) | ? |
| Sensor type | CMOS | ? |
| Processor | Bionz | |
| Image | ||
| ISO | Auto, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 (6400 with boost) | ? |
| White balance presets | 7 | ? |
| Custom white balance | Yes (1) | ? |
| Image stabilization | Sensor-shift | ? |
| JPEG quality levels | Extra Fine, Fine, Standard | ? |
| Optics & Focus | ||
| Autofocus |
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| Digital zoom | No | |
| Manual focus | Yes | ? |
| Number of focus points | 9 | |
| Lens mount | Sony/Minolta Alpha mount | |
| Screen / viewfinder | ||
| Articulated LCD | Fixed | ? |
| Screen size | 3" | ? |
| Screen dots | 921,600 | ? |
| Touch screen | No | |
| Screen type | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD | |
| Live view | No | ? |
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | ? |
| Viewfinder coverage | 98 % | ? |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.74× | ? |
| Photography features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec | ? |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 sec | ? |
| Aperture priority | Yes | ? |
| Shutter priority | Yes | ? |
| Manual exposure mode | Yes | |
| Subject / scene modes | No | |
| Built-in flash | No | |
| External flash | Yes (Hot-shoe, Wireless plus Sync connector) | |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless | |
| Continuous drive | Yes (3 fps) | ? |
| Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | |
| Metering modes |
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| Exposure compensation | ±3 EV (at 1/3 EV steps) | ? |
| AE Bracketing | ±2 (3, 5 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) | |
| WB Bracketing | No | ? |
| Videography features | ||
| Microphone | None | |
| Storage | ||
| Storage types | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo | ? |
| Storage included | None | ? |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | ? |
| HDMI | Yes (mini HDMI Type C) | ? |
| Wireless | None | ? |
| Remote control | Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) | |
| Physical | ||
| Environmentally sealed | No | |
| Battery | Battery Pack | ? |
| Battery description | Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger | ? |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 880 | ? |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz) | |
| Dimensions | 156 x 117 x 82 mm (6.14 x 4.61 x 3.23") | |
| Other features | ||
| Orientation sensor | Yes | |
| Timelapse recording | No | ? |
| GPS | None | |
Reviews and specs
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Galleries
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Challenges
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 | 36.3 megapixels 3.2" screen Full frame sensor |
