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Canon 5D MIV vs Sony A850

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
85
Overall
79
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Canon 5D MIV vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Canon 5D MIV
(Full Review)
  • 30MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Expand to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 890g - 151 x 116 x 76mm
  • Introduced August 2016
  • Older Model is Canon 5D MIII
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Launched April 2010
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Canon 5D MIV vs Sony A850 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Canon 5D MIV and Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the 5D MIV (30MP) and the A850 (25MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The 5D MIV was introduced 6 years later than the A850 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the 5D MIV grades vs the A850 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon 5D MIV over the Sony A850

 5D MIV A850 
LaunchedAugust 2016April 2010Fresher by 78 months
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1620k922kClearer display (+698k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Canon 5D MIV

 A850 5D MIV 

Common features in the Canon 5D MIV and Sony A850

 5D MIV A850 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Canon 5D MIV vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon 5D MIV offers outside measurements of 151mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.9" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) while the Sony A850 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon 5D MIV and Sony A850 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the 5D MIV vs the A850.

Canon 5D MIV vs Sony A850 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the 5D MIV and A850 is 55 and 54 respectively.

Canon 5D MIV vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Canon 5D MIV vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to picture the difference in sensor sizing merely by seeing technical specs. The visual underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the 5D MIV and A850.

As you can tell, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon 5D MIV to provide greater detail using its extra 5MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more recent 5D MIV provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon 5D MIV vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Canon 5D MIV vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 5D MIV vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 5D MIV Portrait photography features
Sony A850 Portrait photography features
85
manual focus
megapixel count excellent (30MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
72
focusing manually
fantastic resolution (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon 5D MIV
Street photography with Sony A850
65
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
boasts touch to focus
environment proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon 5D MIV
Sports photography with Sony A850
80
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count excellent (30MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic resolution (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 5D MIV as a Travel photography camera
Sony A850 as a Travel photography camera
67
environment proof
boasts touch to focus
megapixel count excellent (30 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
55
environment proofing
fantastic resolution (25 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 5D MIV
Landscape photography with Sony A850
80
manual focus
change lenses (Canon EF mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
megapixel count excellent (30 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic resolution (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
2 card slots
doesn't have liveview
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D MIV Vlogging advice
Sony A850 Vlogging advice
31
touch screen
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes mic socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
9
can't record video
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Canon 5D MIV vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 5D MIV and Sony A850
 Canon EOS 5D Mark IVSony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model type Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2016-08-25 2010-04-15
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 6+ 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 30MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6720 x 4480 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Highest boosted ISO 102400 6400
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 61 9
Cross type focus points 41 -
Lens
Lens support Canon EF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 250 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,620k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.74x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (29.97p, 24p, 23.98p), 1920 x 1080 (59.94p, 29.97p, 24p, 23.98p), 1280 x 720 (119.9p) -
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 890 grams (1.96 pounds) 895 grams (1.97 pounds)
Physical dimensions 151 x 116 x 76mm (5.9" x 4.6" x 3.0") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 91 79
DXO Color Depth rating 24.8 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.6 12.2
DXO Low light rating 2995 1415
Other
Battery life 900 shots 880 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E6 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage CompactFlash + SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I enabled) Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots 2 2
Price at launch $3,299 $0