Sony Alpha 850 vs Sony Alpha 900 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Sony · DSLR · 24.6 MP · Full Frame
Sony Alpha 850
55
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 24.6 MP · Full Frame
Sony Alpha 900
60
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony Alpha 850 and Sony Alpha 900 are DSLRs built to the same scale. Each measures 156 x 117 x 82 mm and weighs 895 g, so neither is a lighter or more compact carrying option. The 900 arrived in 2008, with the 850 following in 2009 as the later release. The two cameras share the DSLR body design, which means an optical viewfinder and a mirror-based shooting experience through the lens. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 27, 2009 | September 9, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 156 x 117 x 82 mm | 156 x 117 x 82 mm |
| Camera weight | 895 g | 895 g |
| Optics | 65/100 | 66/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsBurst speed is the advantage worth acting on: the Alpha 900 shoots at 5 fps while the Alpha 850 manages 3 fps, giving the 900 more frames of a moving subject such as a runner or bird in flight. Resolution is a similarity rather than a difference, because both use a 24.6 MP full-frame CMOS sensor. Landscape and portrait work therefore gets the same pixel count from either body. A shared Sony Alpha mount means an existing lens collection fits either body without adapters. Each camera also offers in-body stabilisation, which steadies handheld shooting with any of those lenses. A shared 9-point autofocus system and a 1/8000 second maximum shutter apply to both, as does the optical pentaprism viewfinder. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.6 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. |
6048 x 4032 | 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 35.9 | 24 x 36 |
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. |
3 fps045 | 5 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. |
Sony Alpha | Sony Alpha |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Bionz | 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. |
20030200 | 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. |
32003003280000 | 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. |
10030200 | 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. |
64003003280000 | 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. |
90300 | 90300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | 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 motion work has to come from a separate device. This is a similarity between the two rather than a difference, and neither offers a built-in intervalometer for timelapse. Filmmakers should look elsewhere entirely. | ||
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 | 28/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing is the practical advantage here: the Alpha 900 has it and the Alpha 850 does not, which matters for shooting in rain, dust or coastal wind. The screens are a close match, since each camera has a 3-inch LCD with 921,600 dots and a flip screen for low or high angles. Both cameras support an external flash, useful for studio and event lighting. Neither offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS or live view, so wireless transfer and location tagging are absent from either choice. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
| 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. |
9216001150001500000 | 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. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
✗ | ✗ |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 71/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryPower and card storage are shared strengths: both cameras use the NP-FM500H battery rated at 880 shots and carry dual memory card slots for CompactFlash and Memory Stick Duo cards. That second slot keeps spare capacity available during long shoots. The Alpha 900 additionally supports UDMA Mode 5 transfer speeds along with FAT12, FAT16 and FAT32 card formatting. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo | Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32 |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | NP-FM500H | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
880 shots1505000 | 880 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Alpha 900 is the stronger buy for most photographers. Its 5 fps burst rate helps with sports and wildlife, and its weather sealing suits outdoor shooting in poor conditions. The Alpha 850 matches it on resolution, sensor, stabilisation, battery and card slots. Photographers shooting static subjects in fair conditions can choose either body on these matched specifications. For action or adverse weather, choose the 900.