Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III vs Sony Alpha 850 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 21.1 MP · Full Frame
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III
58
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 24.6 MP · Full Frame
Sony Alpha 850
55
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III and the Sony Alpha 850 are both digital SLRs, announced in August 2007 and August 2009 respectively. The Canon weighs 1385 g and measures 150 x 160 x 80 mm, while the Sony is a lighter 895 g body at 156 x 117 x 82 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2007 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 20, 2007 | August 27, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 150 x 160 x 80 mm | 156 x 117 x 82 mm |
| Camera weight | 1385 g | 895 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony Alpha 850 is the stronger choice when you want more room to crop or to make large prints, with 24.6 megapixels against 21.1 on the Canon. Both use CMOS sensors in the same full-frame format, so wide-angle framing and depth of field behave consistently between them. Composition also matches through the same optical pentaprism viewfinder on each body. The Canon pulls ahead for moving subjects, combining 5 fps continuous shooting with 45 autofocus points, while the Sony manages 3 fps with 9 points. For handheld work in dim rooms, though, the Sony offers in-body stabilisation, which the Canon lacks, letting every mounted lens benefit from steadier slower shutter speeds. Both cap the shutter at 1/8000 second, so wide apertures in bright light stay equally usable. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
21.1 MP050 | 24.6 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5616 x 3744 | 6048 x 4032 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
24 x 36 | 24 x 35.9 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF | Sony Alpha |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic III | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
450300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, so a workflow that needs motion clips must look to a different body entirely. Built-in timelapse is likewise absent from both bodies, so interval work on either one means an external intervalometer or manual triggering. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 49/100 | 28/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Sony gives you a much sharper checking screen, with 921,600 dots against 230,000 on the Canon, which makes focus and detail confirmation easier after each frame. Its screen also flips, helping with low or angled setups, while the Canon screen is fixed. The Canon answers with live view for composed tripod shots and Wi-Fi for wireless transfer, and its weather sealing protects the controls in rain or dust, which the Sony does not offer. Both share the same 3-inch LCD size, external flash support for studio lighting, and no built-in flash or touch input. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 9216001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | No |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | No |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 84/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Canon has the clear endurance edge for long shooting days, with a rated 1800 shots per charge against 880 for the Sony. It runs on an LP-E4 battery, while the Sony uses an NP-FM500H. Both cameras have dual card slots, so two cards fit on either body. The Canon takes SD alongside Compact Flash, while the Sony takes Compact Flash, UDMA and Memory Stick Duo cards, so the formats you already own may settle the choice. | ||
| Memory card | SD, Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E4 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1800 shots1505000 | 880 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III if your photography involves movement or weather. Its 45-point autofocus and 5 fps suit wildlife, sports and reportage, and its weather sealing covers rain and dust outdoors. Its 1800-shot rating also makes it the stronger choice for full-day events.
Choose the Sony Alpha 850 for landscape, architecture and studio stills, where its 24.6-megapixel sensor, in-body stabilisation and sharp tilting screen earn their keep. Neither body belongs in a video kit, so the choice rests entirely on your stills work.