Sony Alpha 850

The Sony Alpha 850 is a full-frame DSLR from 2009, built around a 24.6 megapixel CMOS sensor and the Sony Alpha lens mount. At 895 g it is a substantial camera, so expect a heavier bag and a firm, steady hold.

Its strengths sit in stills capture. The optical pentaprism viewfinder, in-body stabilisation and dual card slots support considered shooting, while the 880-shot battery rating keeps long sessions practical.

There is no video, live view, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It suits photographers who compose through the viewfinder and move images from card to computer afterwards.

The 24.6 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor is the heart of this camera, with the Bionz processor handling its image processing. That resolution leaves room for large prints and tight crops.

Autofocus uses nine points, and the burst rate tops out at three frames per second. That maximum sets a modest pace for burst capture, and the 1/8000 top shutter speed gives latitude for wide apertures in bright light.

Sensitivity runs from ISO 200 to 3200. The low base suits daylight and flash-lit work, while the ISO 3200 ceiling constrains exposure in dim interiors and evening handheld shooting. Fast lenses, a tripod or an external flash offer alternatives when light falls.

In-body stabilisation reduces camera shake, so slower shutter speeds stay usable handheld with any mounted Alpha lens. Framing through the pentaprism viewfinder then gives a clear, natural view of the scene.

This camera does not record video in any form. There are no movie modes, frame rates or sound-recording options to plan around.

Anyone who needs motion alongside stills will want a separate device, since the Alpha 850's output is confined to still images.

Built-in timelapse is also absent, so the camera will not create image sequences on its own. Every capture is a single still frame.

The 3-inch LCD offers 921,600 dots and tilts, which helps when reviewing images or reading menus at waist height or overhead. There is no live view, though, so composition happens through the optical viewfinder rather than the screen.

There is no touch input, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS. Images travel by card, and location data must come from another source if it matters.

The body has no weather sealing, so it needs care around rain and dust. There is no built-in flash either, though the hot shoe accepts external units, which suits studio and location lighting setups.

The Features score is 28 out of 100, placing it in the bottom 8% of cameras in our database for Features. The limited result reflects missing weather sealing, touch input, live view and Bluetooth, with only partial credit for screen size and dot count.

The camera takes CompactFlash Type I or II, UDMA and Memory Stick Duo or Pro Duo cards across two slots. Two cards can therefore be fitted at once, keeping a spare ready in the camera.

The NP-FM500H battery is rated at 880 shots, though how that figure was measured is not stated. Expect real endurance to vary with settings and use.

The Storage and Battery score of 71 reflects full credit for the dual card slots and most of the available battery-life points, with further points lost to the 880-shot rating and the absence of USB charging. Since USB charging is absent, a spare battery is worth carrying on long trips.