Sony a7R vs Sony a850

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7R and Sony a850. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a7R were released 2013 and Sony a850 was released 2009. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a7R 2013
Sony a850 2009

Type of camera

Sony a7R is a Mirrorless camera while Sony a850 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony Full Frame") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a7R 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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 a7R has a 36 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 a7R 36 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912
Sony a850 25 MP
24385536 pixels
6048 x 4032

Sony a7R has a 48 % larger resolution than Sony a850. 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 a7R has a larger ISO-range than Sony a850. Sony a7R has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a850 has 200 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a7R 100-25600
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 a7R
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 a7R can shoot up to 4 pictures per seconds and Sony a850 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a7R 4
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 a7R. 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 92% heavier than Sony a7R and its 465 gr (or 1.03 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a7R 465 gr
1.03 lb
Sony a850 895 gr
1.97 lb

Sony a7R vs Sony a850 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7R 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 a7R
Sony a850
Name Sony a7R Sony a850
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a7R
Sony a850
Release Year 2013 2009
Release Date 2013-10-16 2009-08-27
MSRP 2299 USD 1999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a7R
Sony a850
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a7R
Sony a850
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 7360 x 4912 pixels 6048 x 4032 pixels
Megapixels 36 MP 25 MP
Image Processor Bionz X Bionz
Image
Sony a7R
Sony a850
ISO Range 100 - 25600 200 - 3200
White Balance Presets 10 7
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a7R
Sony a850
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 25 9
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier 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
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 a7R
Sony a850
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1230000 921600
Touch screen No No
Screen type Xtra Fine LCD TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 98%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.71x 0.74×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a7R
Sony a850
Frames per second 4 fps 3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A 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 +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a7R
Sony a850
Video recording Yes No
Video format MPEG4
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a7R
Sony a850
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Memory Stick Pro Duo
Connectivity
Sony a7R
Sony a850
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app)
No
Remote Control Yes (Wired) Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a7R
Sony a850
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50 lithium-ion battery and charger
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 340 shots 880 shots
Width 127 mm 156 mm
Height 94 mm 117 mm
Depth 48 mm 82 mm
Weight 465 gram 895 gram