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Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A850

Portability
55
Imaging
68
Features
74
Overall
70
Canon EOS 5D Mark III front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Canon 5D MIII
(Full Review)
  • 22MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Push to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 116 x 76mm
  • Launched May 2012
  • Old Model is Canon 5D MII
  • Successor is Canon 5D MIV
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Announced April 2010
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Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A850 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the 5D MIII (22MP) and the A850 (25MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras have the same sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The 5D MIII was announced 2 years after the A850 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the 5D MIII grades versus the A850 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 5D MIII over the Sony A850

 5D MIII A850 
AnnouncedMay 2012April 2010More modern by 26 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k922kClearer screen (+118k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Canon 5D MIII

 A850 5D MIII 

Common features in the Canon 5D MIII and Sony A850

 5D MIII A850 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Canon 5D MIII offers physical dimensions of 152mm x 116mm x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs) whilst the Sony A850 has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A850 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the 5D MIII vs the A850.

Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A850 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the 5D MIII and A850 is 55 and 54 respectively.

Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by checking technical specs. The pic here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the 5D MIII and A850.

As you have seen, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Sony A850 to give you greater detail with its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more modern 5D MIII should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Portrait photography highlights
Sony A850 Portrait photography highlights
80
manual focus
megapixel count good (22MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
72
manual focus
great megapixels (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon 5D MIII
Street photography with Sony A850
58
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
great high ISO (25,600)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
heavier than competition (950 grams)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Sports photography information
Sony A850 Sports photography information
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
megapixel count good (22MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
great megapixels (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview feature
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Travel photography advice
Sony A850 Travel photography advice
51
environment sealing
megapixel count good (22MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (950g)
does not offer selfie friendly display
55
environment sealing
great megapixels (25MP)
missing Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 5D MIII Landscape photography details
Sony A850 Landscape photography details
73
manual focus
switch lenses (Canon EF mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
megapixel count good (22 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
2 card slots
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
73
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
great megapixels (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
two card slots
no liveview feature
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon 5D MIII
Vlogging with Sony A850
27
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic support
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
heavier than competition (950g)
9
no video recording
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Canon 5D MIII vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 5D MIII and Sony A850
 Canon EOS 5D Mark IIISony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon EOS 5D Mark III Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-05-22 2010-04-15
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 5+ Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 22 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5760 x 3840 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 102400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 61 9
Cross focus points 41 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 250 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech Clear View II TFT LCD TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps fps), 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 950 grams (2.09 pounds) 895 grams (1.97 pounds)
Physical dimensions 152 x 116 x 76mm (6.0" x 4.6" x 3.0") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 81 79
DXO Color Depth score 24.0 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 12.2
DXO Low light score 2293 1415
Other
Battery life 950 shots 880 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E6 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash Type I (UDMA compatible), SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots Two Two
Launch price $2,780 $0