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Canon 5D vs Sony A850

Portability
55
Imaging
55
Features
41
Overall
49
Canon EOS 5D front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Canon 5D vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Canon 5D
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF Mount
  • 895g - 152 x 113 x 75mm
  • Introduced November 2005
  • Newer Model is Canon 5D MII
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Announced April 2010
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Canon 5D vs Sony A850 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Canon 5D vs Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the 5D (13MP) and A850 (25MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor size (Full frame).

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The 5D was released 5 years earlier than the A850 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise overview of how the 5D grades versus the A850 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon 5D over the Sony A850

 5D A850 

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Canon 5D

 A850 5D 
AnnouncedApril 2010November 2005More modern by 53 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Canon 5D and Sony A850

 5D A850 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon 5D vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Canon 5D enjoys outside dimensions of 152mm x 113mm x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) while the Sony A850 has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Examine the Canon 5D vs Sony A850 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the 5D and the A850.

Canon 5D vs Sony A850 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 5D and A850 is 55 and 54 respectively.

Canon 5D vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Canon 5D vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizes just by seeing technical specs. The pic underneath will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the 5D and A850.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony A850 to show greater detail as a result of its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged 5D will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon 5D vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Canon 5D vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 5D Portrait photography highlights
Sony A850 Portrait photography highlights
65
manual focus
resolution is good (13 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
72
you can focus manually
high megapixels (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Canon 5D Street photography details
Sony A850 Street photography details
56
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proof
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon 5D Sports photography factors
Sony A850 Sports photography factors
55
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
resolution is good (13MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
terrible battery power (800 per charge)
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high megapixels (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 5D Travel photography factors
Sony A850 Travel photography factors
49
weather proof
resolution is good (13 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (800 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
55
weather proofing
high megapixels (25 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 5D Landscape photography factors
Sony A850 Landscape photography factors
54
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF mount)
resolution is good (13MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proof
tiny screen (2.5")
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
terrible battery power (800 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
high megapixels (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
does not have liveview
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 5D Vlogging features
Sony A850 Vlogging features
9
no video recording
9
no video
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Canon 5D vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 5D and Sony A850
 Canon EOS 5DSony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon EOS 5D Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2005-11-12 2010-04-15
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Digic II 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 13 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4368 x 2912 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 250 143
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT liquid-crystal color LCD TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes External Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 895 gr (1.97 lb) 895 gr (1.97 lb)
Physical dimensions 152 x 113 x 75mm (6.0" x 4.4" x 3.0") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 71 79
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 12.2
DXO Low light rating 1368 1415
Other
Battery life 800 photos 880 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-511A NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 Dual
Launch price $2,780 $0