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9.0 out of 10

Sony Alpha DSLR-A850

24.6 megapixels

Information found in: from 109 sources in 24 countries

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  • User Score (127)
    9.2 9.2 from 127 reviewers
  • Expert Score (26)
    8.5 8.5 from 26 reviewers
  • Design (4)
    9.1 9.1 from 4 reviewers
  • Value for money (7)
    9.5 9.5 from 7 reviewers
  • Features (8)
    8.4 8.4 from 8 reviewers
  • Ease of use (9)
    9.3 9.3 from 9 reviewers
  • Performance (5)
    9.3 9.3 from 5 reviewers
  • Picture quality (12)
    9.3 9.3 from 12 reviewers
  • Durability (3)
    9.7 9.7 from 3 reviewers
  • Overall quality (5)
    9.9 9.9 from 5 reviewers
  • Display (4)
    9.7 9.7 from 4 reviewers
  • Ergonomics (4)
    9.7 9.7 from 4 reviewers
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  • Score Distribution

Experts:
9-10
(11)
7-8
(14)
5-6
(1)
3-4
(0)
1-2
(0)
Users:
9-10
(66)
7-8
(12)
5-6
(0)
3-4
(1)
1-2
(3)

  • Expert Reviews

  1. Digital Camera Review

    Digital Camera Review
    8.0/10
    1 March 2010

    Although slightly less capable than its older sibling, the A850 offers just about everything I liked about the A900 including a slew of sophisticated features that make it easy to capture great images. Read more

    • The most affordable full-frame, 24 megapixel camera on the market, Excellent resolution, sharp images (when used with a high end lens), Natural color reproduction, Sophisticated feature set providing extensive user control...
    • High end lenses can cost as much as, or more than, the camera, 3 fps continuous shooting is below average for current DSLRs, High ISO performance could-and should-be better/less noisy, Proprietary hotshoe so you need an ad...

  2. Steve's Digicams

    Steve's Digicams
    15 April 2010

    Sony has created a professional grade dSLR model that challenges the competition with it's $1999.95 price point for a full frame dSLR, with image quality and resolution rivalling far more expensive camera models.   If you Read more

    • Superb Pro Level Build Quality with Weather Sealing, Very Comfortable size and weight for a body of this caliber, Lower Price point than competing full frame models, Unsurpassed resolution in a dSLR, regardless of price, S...
    • Slight higher noise than competing models shooting JPEG, Slower (3fps) frame rate compared to higher priced dSLR models, Not as many AF points as some Pro Grade cameras

  3. Imaging Resource

    Imaging Resource
    1 January 2010

    Sony rocked the full-frame DSLR world when they first announced the A900, bringing unprecedented resolution at a price point under $3,000. Read more

    • Extraordinary resolution, nothing touches it at its price point, but there's literally no other full-frame DSLR at its price point anyway, Built-in SteadyShot image stabilization, Good color rendering: Natural without seem...
    • Some image noise even at ISO 200, At anything above ISO 200, noise limits maximum print size before resolution becomes an issue, High-ISO performance doesn't match that of competing full-frame models (but all such are a go...

  4. Digitaltrends

    Digitaltrends
    8.5/10
    29 September 2009

    Sony's Alpha 850 which we review, checks in $700 below competitors, but snaps stunning shots right on par with them. Read more

    • Great 24-megapixel images; intelligent Preview a real aid; built-in image sensor-shift stabilization; tweaks galore
    • Still expensive; noise at ISO 1250 and higher; poorly positioned preview button; no built-in flash; it's a must-have add-on; no Live View or HD video

  5. What Digital Camera

    What Digital Camera
    8.7/10
    22 December 2009

    undercut the competition then it'd be a genius proposition to full-frame hungry consumers. But despite the removal of the in-camera remote, lowering the burst rate and shaving 2% from the viewfinder's field of view the... Read more

    • Most affordable full-frame DSLR to market, Intelligent Preview
    • Too closely priced to a900, Intelligent Preview button poorly placed, auto white balance inconsistent, no in-built flash/live view/video mode

  • User Reviews

  1. Sony A850

    Amazon
    10/10
    Reviewer: Victoria J. Dennison, Amazon
    24 December 2011

    I purchased a Sony A850 as I wanted to move up to full frame. I found that Sony makes excellent digital DSLR's and I have absolutely no complaints about the camera. Read more

  2. What's not to like?

    8.8/10
    Reviewer: ryansholl, dpreview.com
    28 March 2011

    It's a $1700 full frame DSLR. 24MP, huge viewfinder, excellent AF especially after the firmware update (which also alleviated at least 2 of the complaints below this review), and the dynamic range is a delight to work with in... Read more

    • It's a $1700 full frame DSLR. 24MP, huge viewfinder, excellent AF especially after the firmware update (which also alleviated at least 2 of the complaints below this review), and the dynamic range is a delight to work with...
    • It's not as fast as current top of the line DSLRs, in regards to ISO or frames per second. A completely useable, but not ideal, sports/action camera.

  3. My perfect camera.

    OneCall
    10/10
    Reviewer: Azhar, OneCall
    25 May 2010

    This camera is built for me in it's feature set and ergonomics, it's an absolutely thrilling device to work with. You don't need to read my review to know that it matches (if not exceeds, in some regards) Canon and Nikon... Read more

    • Easy To Use, Fast / Accurate Auto-Focus, Fast Shutter Speed, Good Image Quality, Good Image Stabilization, Large Clear LCD
    • Noisy At High ISO

  4. Awesome product! Love it!

    Ebay
    10/10
    Reviewer: littledalancito, Ebay
    7 January 2012

    Love this camera, I would totally recommend it! I bought the a77 and returned it and bought this one even though it is an older model,but I am so much happier with it! Read more

  5. Poor jpeg quality for a pricey camera

    Ritz Camera
    4.0/10
    Reviewer: MrJR, Ritz Camera
    11 April 2011

    No, I would not recommend this to a friend Read more

    • Large Clear LCD
    • Noisy At High ISO, Poor Image Quality, Poor In Low Light, Short Battery Life

  • WikiFreak Description

Sony Alpha A850

The Sony Alpha A850 is a 6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in. (156 x 117 x 82 mm)/30.0 oz (850 g) digital SLR that utilizes a Sony CMOS (approx. 1.70 in. diagonal) with 24.60 megapixels (effective) output and 3:2 / 16:9 aspect ratio. It supports up to 6048 x 4032 (24.4 megapixels) pixel resolution images, captures up to 2.5 frames per second for 22 frames (Continuous: 3.0 frames per second for 23 frames), and supports a SLR type; eye-level pentaprism with 98% coverage, 0.74x mag., 20mm eyepoint, -3 t…

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Sony Alpha A850

The Sony Alpha A850 is a 6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in. (156 x 117 x 82 mm)/30.0 oz (850 g) digital SLR that utilizes a Sony CMOS (approx. 1.70 in. diagonal) with 24.60 megapixels (effective) output and 3:2 / 16:9 aspect ratio. It supports up to 6048 x 4032 (24.4 megapixels) pixel resolution images, captures up to 2.5 frames per second for 22 frames (Continuous: 3.0 frames per second for 23 frames), and supports a SLR type; eye-level pentaprism with 98% coverage, 0.74x mag., 20mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter viewfinder, 3.0 in. diagonal LCD display with 921,600 dots (307,200 pixels) support, Sony Alpha (Minolta A) mount interchangeable lens with Image Stabilization, 9-point TTL phase detection with 10 assist points, center dual-cross at f/2.8, ISO Sensitivity up to 6400, 30 - 1/8000 second shutter speed, Exposure Modes (Aperture, Shutter, Manual), Metering Modes (40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot), White Balance adjustments, built-in flash, supports CompactFlash Type I or Type II, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, and Microdrive recording media, input and outputs such as HDMI, NTSC / PAL switchable standards, USB 2.0 High Speed, DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, and HDMI Type-C minijack.

Features

The Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 is similar to the A900, with 24.6 megapixel resolution, nine-point AF with ten supplemental assist points, shutter speeds to 1/8000 second, ISO sensitivity to 6,400 max., a 3.0-inch LCD display, and CompactFlash / Memory Stick Duo storage. The Alpha A850 features a continuous-mode frame rate of three frames per second with a reduction in burst speed has allowed some cost saving in the mirror / shutter cocking mechanism. The optical viewfinder of the Sony Alpha A850 also has slightly reduced coverage, with a 98% field of view versus the 100% view through the A900’s finder. It also doesn’t include an infrared remote control in the product bundle, with this instead being available as an optional extra for A850 owners should they have a need for it. The SLR is powered by a NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and comes with Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh) and Picture Motion Browser (Windows only) software. It is a Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant and PictBridge Compliant device.

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  • Manufacturer's Description

Enjoy unlimited creativity and image control thanks to Intelligent Preview which allows you to adjust exposure and white balance. You can also fine-tune contrast, saturation, sharpness and brightness to achieve the precise tonalities and artistic effects your creativity requires.Brilliantly capture your subject and expand your creativity with an unlimited range of accessories. From lenses and flashes to filters and grips, the A850 offers solutions to satisfy even the …

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