Sony a55 vs Sony a850

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a55 and Sony a850. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a55 were released 2010 and Sony a850 was released 2009. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a55 2010
Sony a850 2009

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a55 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Sony a850 has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a55 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a850 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Sony a55 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a850 has 25 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a55 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Sony a850 25 MP
24385536 pixels
6048 x 4032

Sony a850 has a 52 % larger resolution than Sony a55. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a55 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a850. Sony a55 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12800 while Sony a850 has 200 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a55 100-12800
Sony a850 200-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a55
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a850

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a55 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Sony a850 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a55 10
Sony a850 3

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony a55. Unfortunately Sony a850 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a850 weighs 895 gr (equal to 1.97 lb) which is 79% heavier than Sony a55 and its 500 gr (or 1.1 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a55 500 gr
1.1 lb
Sony a850 895 gr
1.97 lb

Sony a55 vs Sony a850 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a55 and Sony a850, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a55
Sony a850
Name Sony a55 Sony a850
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a55
Sony a850
Release Year 2010 2009
Release Date 2010-08-24 2009-08-27
MSRP 749 USD 1999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a55
Sony a850
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a55
Sony a850
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 6048 x 4032 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 25 MP
Image Processor Bionz Bionz
Image
Sony a55
Sony a850
ISO Range 100 - 12800 200 - 3200
White Balance Presets 6 7
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a55
Sony a850
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 15 9
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a55
Sony a850
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 921600
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 98%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 0.74×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a55
Sony a850
Frames per second 10 fps 3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a55
Sony a850
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony a55
Sony a850
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Memory Stick Pro Duo
Connectivity
Sony a55
Sony a850
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional))
GPS Yes
Built-in
No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a55
Sony a850
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 380 shots 880 shots
Width 124 mm 156 mm
Height 92 mm 117 mm
Depth 85 mm 82 mm
Weight 500 gram 895 gram