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Sony A850

Discontinued

Reviewed

September 2010

Pros

Excellent, 24.6-megapixel images
Superior build quality
Full-frame sensor

Cons

Expensive
No built-in flash or Live View
Slower shutter speed and autofocus than similar cameras
No video capability

Where to Buy

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Priced at the top of the semi-pro range, the Sony A850 (aka Sony Alpha 850) is still considered a bargain because the sensor is full-frame -- that means it's the same size as a frame of 35 mm film, leading to a whopping 24.6 megapixels of resolution and excellent image quality, according to reviews. Image stabilization is built into the rugged, weatherproof camera body, making extra lenses less expensive; on the other hand, you'll have to buy a separate flash as there isn't one built in to the A850's body. The A850's maximum speed is just 3 fps, and the camera lacks video capability, so it's not as versatile as the best-reviewed Canon EOS 7D (*Est. $1,350 body only), or even many sub-$1,000 DSLRs. Experts are disappointed with the Sony A850's nine-point autofocus (low for the price) and LCD screen, which has no Live View mode.

The high price and pro-grade functionality of the Sony A850 mean that it gets attention mostly from reviewers who specialize in high-end cameras and photography. Steves-Digicams.com has a lengthy review of the camera, and the evaluation at Imaging-Resource.com even includes sample pictures taken with the A850 at different settings. DPReview.com compares the A850 with Sony's step-up model, the A900, while DxOMark.com provides details about the A850's full-frame sensor. DigitalTrends.com also weighs in with a report.

Where To Buy

Sony Alpha DSLRA850 24.6MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
(18 reviews) 1 Used from $1,799.00

Our Sources

1. StevesDigicams.com

Editors at Steves-Digicams.com recommend the A850 for professional photographers, since its features and performance compete well with even more expensive cameras. Build quality and resolution are touted as excellent, though the shutter speeds and autofocus are described as a bit behind other cameras in its class.

Review: Sony DSLR-A850 Review, Editors of Steves-Digicams.com, April 15, 2010

2. DigitalTrends.com

David Elrich at DigitalTrends.com gives the Sony A850 a rating of 8.5 out of 10, qualifying it for the site's Editors' Choice award. Elrich says that despite the high price tag, for a full-frame DSLR, the A850 is a very good deal. While he loves the 24-megapixel images, Elrich notes the lack of a built-in flash or a Live View mode, common features on much cheaper cameras.

Review: Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 Review, David Elrich, Sept. 29, 2009

3. Imaging-Resource.com

Imaging-Resource.com takes a detailed look at the Sony A850, comparing it with the upgrade model Sony A900, as well as similar cameras from Canon. Resolution is described as "extraordinary," and the large viewfinder image is also praised. Reviewers note that thanks to the low frame rate, the A850 "won't fire if you press the shutter button too soon after [the] previous shot." Numerous comparative sample photos round out this review.

Review: Sony Alpha DSLR-A850, Dave Etchells, Shawn Barnett, Zig Weidelich and Mike Tomkins, Aug. 27, 2009

4. DPReview.com

DPReview.com does a "quick review" of the Sony A850, which refers readers to the site's review of the A900 in instances where the cameras are the same. However, the A850 review is still quite thorough, giving a clear breakdown of the A850's strengths and weaknesses. Lars Rehm gives the A850 a 75 percent score, recommending it for "resolution hungry applications" such as studio photography or landscape photography. He concludes that the slow shutter speeds make it a less practical choice for shooting sports or wildlife.

Review: Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 Quick Review, Lars Rehm, March 2010

5. DXOMark.com

Lab tests at DxOMark.com only evaluate digital-camera sensors. The sensor on the Sony A850 ranks ninth overall, beating out those of many more-expensive cameras. All the camera sensors that rank higher than the A850's cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars more.

Review: Tests and Reviews for the Camera Sony Alpha 850, Editors of DxOMark.com

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