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Canon 70D vs Sony A850

Portability
59
Imaging
62
Features
84
Overall
70
Canon EOS 70D front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Canon 70D vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Canon 70D
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 755g - 139 x 104 x 79mm
  • Released October 2013
  • Previous Model is Canon 60D
  • Later Model is Canon 80D
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost 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 70D vs Sony A850 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Canon 70D versus Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Canon and Sony. The resolution of the 70D (20MP) and the A850 (25MP) is relatively close but the 70D (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The 70D was revealed 3 years later than the A850 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the 70D grades vs the A850 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon 70D over the Sony A850

 70D A850 
AnnouncedOctober 2013April 2010Fresher by 44 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k922kCrisper screen (+118k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Canon 70D

 A850 70D 

Common features in the Canon 70D and Sony A850

 70D A850 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements

Canon 70D vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon 70D enjoys outer dimensions of 139mm x 104mm x 79mm (5.5" x 4.1" x 3.1") along with a weight of 755 grams (1.66 lbs) and the Sony A850 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Look at the Canon 70D versus Sony A850 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the 70D and the A850.

Canon 70D vs Sony A850 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the 70D and A850 is 59 and 54 respectively.

Canon 70D vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Canon 70D vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing merely by researching technical specs. The graphic below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the 70D and A850.

As you have seen, both the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The 70D using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Sony A850 will result in extra detail because of its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs more aggressively. The more modern 70D is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Canon 70D vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Canon 70D vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 70D vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 70D Portrait photography highlights
Sony A850 Portrait photography highlights
77
focusing manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
72
focusing manually
megapixel count fantastic (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Canon 70D Street photography information
Sony A850 Street photography information
68
fully articulated screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
has focus via touch
environment proof
no image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon 70D Sports photography features
Sony A850 Sports photography features
73
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count fantastic (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Canon 70D Travel photography info
Sony A850 Travel photography info
69
environment proof
has focus via touch
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
missing Time Lapse recording
55
environment proofing
megapixel count fantastic (25 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 70D as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A850 as a Landscape photography camera
69
focusing manually
switch lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
no image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count fantastic (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
no liveview feature
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 70D Vlogging highlights
Sony A850 Vlogging highlights
69
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic jack
no image stabilization
9
no video
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Canon 70D vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 70D and Sony A850
 Canon EOS 70DSony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon EOS 70D Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-10-31 2010-04-15
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 5+ Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 22.5 x 15mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 337.5mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 25MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5472 x 3648 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 19 9
Cross focus points 19 -
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF/EF-S Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 326 143
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology Clear View II TFT color LCD TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (29.97, 25, 23.976 fps), 1280 x 720 (59.94, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (59.94, 50 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 755g (1.66 lb) 895g (1.97 lb)
Physical dimensions 139 x 104 x 79mm (5.5" x 4.1" x 3.1") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 68 79
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 12.2
DXO Low light score 926 1415
Other
Battery life 920 images 880 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E6 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, remote) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots One Dual
Launch price $758 $0