Sony Alpha DSLR-A850

81

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha DSLR-A850

Overall image quality
Great image quality
79.0
Color depth
Great color depth
23.8 bits
Viewfinder size
Large viewfinder
0.74x
Image stabilization
Image stabilization
Sensor shift
True resolution
High true resolution
24.4 MP
Weather sealed
Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Canon EOS 7D

71

Runner-up

Canon EOS 7D

"Very good low-light performance, low noise levels and good retention of detail"
dpreview.com | talking about the 7D's iso-noise
"Improved button and control layout over 50D/5D Mark II"
dpreview.com | talking about the 7D's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS 7D

Weather sealed
Weather sealed
Shoot in extreme weather
Continuous shooting
Rapid fire
8 fps
Shutter lag
Barely any delay taking photos
131 ms shutter lag
Cross type focus points
Many cross-type focus points
19
Viewfinder coverage
Great viewfinder coverage
100%
Fastest shutter speed
Fast shutter speed
1/8000 of a second

differences

Advantages of the Canon 7D

Live view Has live view Yes vs No
Help
Preview your photos on the camera's screen before taking them
Movie format Shoots movies 1080p @ 30fps vs None
Help
Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures
Lens availability Much more lenses available 162 lenses vs 62 lenses
Help
More than 2.5x more lenses available
Continuous shooting Shoots significantly faster 8 fps vs 3 fps
Help
More than 2.5x faster continuous shooting
Cross type focus points Significantly more cross-type focus points 19 vs 1
Help
Grab focus in difficult situations
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 131 ms vs 184 ms
Help
Around 30% less delay when taking photos
Viewfinder coverage Better viewfinder coverage 100% vs 98%
Help
Almost the same
Size Smaller 148x111x74 mm vs 156x117x82 mm
Help
Around 20% smaller
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
The 7D's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Thickness Significantly thinner 2.9" vs 3.2"
Help
Around 10% thinner
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Lowest price Cheaper $1,500.00 vs $2,899.99
Help
The best price we've seen is $1,400 cheaper (around 50% less)
Light sensitivity (boost) Better boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
The 7D's boost ISO is 1 f-stop better
Weight Slightly lighter 860 g vs 895 g
Help
Almost the same
Canon EOS 7D Learn more about
the Canon 7D

Advantages of the Sony DSLR-A850

Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 79.0 vs 66.0
Help
Around 20% better image quality
Color depth Better color depth 23.8 bits vs 22 bits
Help
Distinguishes 1.8 more bits of color
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 1,415 ISO vs 854 ISO
Help
The DSLR-A850 has a slight edge (0.7 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Image stabilization Image stabilization Sensor shift vs None
Help
Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Sensor size Much larger sensor Full frame 35.9x24.0mm vs APS-C 22.3x14.9mm
Help
More than 2.5x larger sensor
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 11.7 EV
Help
0.5 f-stops more dynamic range
Viewfinder size Significantly larger viewfinder 0.74x vs 0.62x
Help
More than 40% larger viewfinder
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 24.4 MP vs 17.9 MP
Help
Capture around 40% more detail in your photos
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
Battery life Slightly longer battery life 880 shots vs 800 shots
Help
10% more shots per battery charge
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 Learn more about
the Sony DSLR-A850
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent pro DSLRs, and ignoring price

Canon EOS 7D Canon EOS 7D
71 vs 81
Explain scores
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony Alpha DSLR-A850.

advice

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I am considering either the Canon 7D or the Sony DSLR-A850,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

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0
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by Gino-Mauceli last month
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not a beginner nor expert. haven t had a good camera in 15 yrs. no real digital experience. they...

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by Fernandus-Pramiko this month
Canon 600D vs Canon 7D

1. beginner 2. some unique moments, family 3. I don't know about that

One person recommends the Canon 600D:

" For a beginner I do not see a reason to go for a bigger and heavier "more advanced" tool, so out..."

0
votes
by Zoya-Khan last month
Canon 7D vs Nikon D5100

Beginner I like to all kinds of photos especially wants the camera to be water proof so I can take...

One person recommends the Canon 7D:

" d5100 is cant survive rain directly w/o external housing - not sure of canon"

1
votes
by Jim-Dabler last month
Canon T3i vs Canon 7D

I have a Canon 20D with 28-135 lenses. It takes great pictures but I want to upgrade and use it...

0
votes
by Juvil-Plus last month
Canon T3i vs Canon 7D

i am new to cinematography and i am low on the budget aspect, i know the canon t3i n 7d are stil...

2 people recommend the Canon T3i:

"Pretty much the exact same video recording capabilities. As long as you have 1.2 or 1.4 prime lens..."

" if your new the t3i is perfect because it offers easy functionality but still great over all con..."

similarities

Compared to recent DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Weather sealed Weather sealed Help
Shoot in extreme weather
Viewfinder Both have pentaprism viewfinders Help
Pentaprism
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/8000 of a second
Weight Heavy Help
7D:860 g
DSLR-A850:895 g
Light sensitivity (boost) Poor boost ISO Help
7D:12,800 ISO
DSLR-A850:6,400 ISO
Autofocus No video autofocus Help
Manual focus only
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
7D:6,400 ISO
DSLR-A850:3,200 ISO

Compared to recent pro DSLRs

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Supports RAW Supports RAW Help
Better editing
Size Fairly small Help
7D:148x111x74 mm
DSLR-A850:156x117x82 mm
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
7D:$1,500.00
DSLR-A850:$2,899.99
Weight Light weight Help
7D:860 g
DSLR-A850:895 g
Focus points Few focus points Help
19
Battery life Few shots per battery charge Help
7D:800 shots
DSLR-A850:880 shots
Screen size Very small screens Help
3.0"
Low light performance Above average noise at high ISO Help
7D:854 ISO
DSLR-A850:1,415 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon D7000

Nikon D7000

Entry-level DSLR

$1,000 - $1,197 body only

$1,100 with 55-200mm lens

Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Movie continuous focus Can focus continuously while recording movies
Thickness Is thicker
Shutter lag Has significantly more shutter lag
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens

Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Thickness Is thicker
Viewfinder coverage Slightly less viewfinder coverage
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Pro DSLR

$2,198 body only

$2,898 - $2,999 with 24-105mm lens

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Shutter lag Has slightly more shutter lag
Focus points Has slightly fewer focus points
Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Pro DSLR

$3,499 - $3,500 body only

$4,299 - $4,300 with 24-105mm lens

Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Screen size Has a significantly larger screen
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Sony SLT-A77

Sony SLT A77

Pro DSLR

$1,398 body only

$1,998 with 16-50mm lens

Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Thickness Is thicker
Viewfinder Has a lower quality type of viewfinder
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
HDR Has in-camera HDR
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens

Size Is slightly smaller
Thickness Is thinner
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Viewfinder coverage Slightly less viewfinder coverage

Canon EOS 7D Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens

Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen
Weather sealed No weather sealing
Shutter lag Significantly more shutter lag

Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

Pro DSLR

$2,893 body only

Continuous shooting Shoots faster
Viewfinder coverage Better viewfinder coverage
Light sensitivity Worse maximum light sensitivity
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580

Sony Alpha DSLR-A580

Entry-level DSLR

$949 with 55-200mm lens

Live view Has live view
Movie format Shoots movies
Viewfinder size Much smaller viewfinder
Sensor size Much smaller sensor

appearance

Canon EOS 7D Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Canon EOS 7D Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Canon EOS 7D Sony Alpha DSLR-A850

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