Canon 30D vs Sony A850
58 Imaging
46 Features
39 Overall
43


54 Imaging
67 Features
60 Overall
64
Canon 30D vs Sony A850 Key Specs
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
- Introduced April 2010

Canon 30D vs Sony A850 Overview
Lets look a bit more in depth at the Canon 30D versus Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the 30D (8MP) and A850 (25MP) and the 30D (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) possess different sensor dimensions.

The 30D was revealed 5 years before the A850 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the 30D scores versus the A850 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon 30D vs Sony A850 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon EOS 30D and Sony Alpha DSLR-A850. The full galleries are viewable at Canon 30D Gallery and Sony A850 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 30D over the Sony A850
30D | A850 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Canon 30D
A850 | 30D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2010 | ![]() | April 2006 | Fresher by 49 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Canon 30D and Sony A850
30D | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Canon 30D vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon 30D enjoys outer measurements of 144mm x 106mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 784 grams (1.73 lbs) while the Sony A850 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon 30D versus Sony A850 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the 30D compared to the A850.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 30D and A850 is 58 and 54 respectively.

Canon 30D vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, its hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing simply by viewing a spec sheet. The visual underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the 30D and A850.
Clearly, both of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 30D using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony A850 will provide you with greater detail because of its extra 17MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The older 30D will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon 30D vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 30D vs Sony A850 Specifications
Canon EOS 30D | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon EOS 30D | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2006-04-04 | 2010-04-15 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 22.5 x 15mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 337.5mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 8 megapixels | 25 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3504 x 2336 | 6048 x 4032 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Canon EF/EF-S | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 326 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 922 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 98% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.56x | 0.74x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 5.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/250s | 1/250s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Maximum video resolution | None | None |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 784 gr (1.73 pounds) | 895 gr (1.97 pounds) |
Dimensions | 144 x 106 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.9") | 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 59 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.5 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.8 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 736 | 1415 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 880 photographs |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
Storage slots | One | Two |
Price at release | $773 | $0 |