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Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha DSLR-A850SonyAlpha DSLR-A900
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2009September 2008
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeExmor CMOSCMOS
Sensor dimensions35.9 × 24 mm35.9 × 24 mm
Effective resolution24.6 MP24.6 MP
Largest image6048 × 40326048 × 4032
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–3200200–3200
Sensor detailApproximately 25.7 million total photosites; anti-static coating on low-pass filter and sensor-shift dust removalExmor CMOS; approximately 25.7 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter; anti-static coating and sensor-shift dust removal
Image formatsJPEG, RAW, compressed cRAW and RAW/cRAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.1; sRGB and Adobe RGBJPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.1), compressed cRAW and RAW/cRAW+JPEG; 3:2, cropped 16:9 and approximately 11 MP APS-C crop. Sony’s Hong Kong launch PDF says ARW 2.0; the exact Japanese spec sheet and press table specify ARW 2.1.
ISO detailStandard ISO 200–3200 in 1/3 EV steps; expanded ISO 100–6400Standard ISO 200–3200 in 1/3-stop steps, with expanded ISO 100–6400; Auto ISO 200–1600 with selectable limits
Image processorBIONZDual BIONZ image-processing engines
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony ASony A-mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst3 fps5 fps
Lens detailSony A-mount; Sony Alpha and Minolta/Konica Minolta AF lenses. DT APS-C lenses are not recommended for full-frame shooting because their image circle may affect meteringInterchangeable Sony A-mount; compatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses. DT lenses trigger APS-C crop, but Sony does not guarantee full exposure performance with APS-C-only DT optics.
AutofocusTTL phase detection with nine selectable points, a central dual-cross sensor and ten assist points; EV 0–18 at ISO 100; AF-S, AF-A, AF-C, direct manual focus and manual focus; micro-adjustment for up to 30 lensesTTL phase detection with nine selectable points (centre dual-cross) and ten non-selectable assist points; additional F2.8 precision sensor; single-shot, automatic and continuous AF, direct manual focus and manual focus; EV 0–18 detection at ISO 100; LED AF-assist lamp. AF micro-adjustment stores up to 30 lenses; no Eye-Start AF according to Sony’s exact Japanese table, despite the Hong Kong press table listing it.
ShutterElectronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second and Bulb; sync 1/250 second with stabilisation off or 1/200 second with stabilisation onElectronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second with stabilisation off or 1/200 second with it on; mirror-up drive mode
Burst detailFull-resolution continuous shooting up to approximately 3 fps; Sony claims 34 Extra Fine JPEGs, 16 RAW or 18 compressed RAW per burst; card and settings affect resultsUp to 5 fps Hi or 3 fps Lo; maker buffer claims 285 Standard JPEGs, 105 Fine JPEGs, 11 Extra Fine JPEGs, 12 RAW/cRAW or ten RAW/cRAW+JPEG frames; depends on memory card and shooting conditions
Stabilisation detailSensor-shift SteadyShot INSIDE; maker claims approximately 2.5–4 shutter-speed steps depending on lens and shooting conditionsSteadyShot INSIDE sensor shift; Sony claims approximately 2.5–4 stops depending on lens and shooting conditions; excludes Minolta AF Macro Zoom 3X–1X F1.7–2.8
FlashNo built-in flash; Sony Alpha system accessory shoe and separate flash sync terminal; ADI and pre-flash TTL controlNo built-in flash; proprietary Alpha flash shoe and PC sync terminal; ADI and pre-flash TTL with compatible external units. Wireless control requires an HVL-F58AM and another compatible flash.
Exposure controlsP/A/S/M and Auto; 40-segment honeycomb SPC metering; ±3 EV in 0.3/0.5 EV steps; Dynamic Range Optimizer and exposure bracketing; mirror lock-upProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual and Auto; no scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb, centre-weighted or spot metering; ±3 EV compensation in 1/2- or 1/3-stop steps; D-Range Optimizer, 13 Creative Styles, Quick Navi and three saved shooting setups
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″3″
Screen dots921,600921,600
Tilting screenNo–
Display detailFixed Xtra Fine LCD; dots count colour subpixels; separate top status LCDFixed 3.0-inch Xtra Fine LCD, 921,600 dots (640 × 480 RGB subpixels), with anti-reflection coating; separate small top status LCD
Viewfinder detailEye-level pentaprism, approximately 98% coverage and 0.74× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; supplied G screen, optional interchangeable L grid and M focusing screensFixed eye-level pentaprism; approximately 100% coverage and 0.74× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; built-in eyepiece shutter; user-replaceable G/L/M focusing screens; optical depth-of-field preview
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)880 photographs880 photographs
Body weight850 g850 g
Release detailSony Hong Kong's original announcement specifies September 2009 retail availability for the body; month precision retainedSony Europe’s spokesperson told Photography Bay that main-market availability began at the end of September 2008; month precision retained. Regional maker announcements give October 2008 for Hong Kong and 23 October 2008 for Japan.
Recording mediaSeparate Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo and CompactFlash Type I/II slots; UDMA Mode 5 and Microdrive supportSeparate CompactFlash Type I/II (UDMA Mode 5) and Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo slots; Microdrive support; user selects recording medium, without simultaneous dual-card recording (PhotographyBlog)
PortsUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed and Mini HDMI; flash-sync terminal; PhotographyBlog also documents the wired remote-release terminalUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed; HDMI mini for still-image playback; NTSC/PAL video output; wired remote-release connector, flash sync and DC input; supplied software supports computer remote control
Battery life detailNP-FM500H; maker CIPA claim approximately 880 photographs; optional AC-PW10AM adapter or AC-VQ900AM adapter/chargerNP-FM500H; Sony CIPA claim approximately 880 photographs per charge; optional VG-C90AM grip holds two batteries. PhotographyBlog achieved barely half the claim during its review use.
Charging–Supplied BC-VM10 external charger; optional AC-VQ900AM adaptor/charger
DimensionsApproximately 156.3 × 116.9 × 81.9 mm (width × height × depth, excluding protrusions)Approximately 156.3 × 116.9 × 81.9 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 850 g without battery, memory card or accessoriesApproximately 850 g without battery, memory card, lens or accessories; PhotographyBlog describes just under 930 g with battery, without providing a precise loaded figure
Materials–Magnesium-alloy front, rear and upper covers with aluminium internal chassis; seals reduce dust and moisture ingress. Sony explicitly says the camera is not waterproof or splash-proof.
Colours–Black
In the box–NP-FM500H battery, BC-VM10 charger and power cord, RMT-DSLR1 wireless remote, USB and video cables, shoulder strap, eyecup, remote clip, body and shoe caps, software CD
Video
Video detailNo movie recording (PhotographyBlog); Sony specifies no live view; HDMI supplies still-image playback rather than recorded Full HD moviesStill-image DSLR without video recording or rear-screen live view; Intelligent Preview captures a temporary image for exposure, white balance and D-Range Optimizer simulation rather than a live feed

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