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Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A850

Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Released January 2013
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
  • Introduced April 2010
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Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A850 Overview

Here is a comprehensive review of the Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A850, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the XS1 (16MP) and A850 (25MP) and the XS1 (1/2.3") and A850 (Full frame) boast different sensor size.

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The XS1 was released 2 years later than the A850 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the XS1 grades vs the A850 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Sony A850

 XS1 A850 
IntroducedJanuary 2013April 2010Fresher by 34 months

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Panasonic XS1

 A850 XS1 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic XS1 and Sony A850

 XS1 A850 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic XS1 provides external measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") having a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs) and the Sony A850 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A850 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the XS1 compared to the A850.

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the XS1 and A850 is 97 and 54 respectively.

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the XS1 and A850.

As you can see, both of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The XS1 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony A850 will offer more detail as a result of its extra 9MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more modern XS1 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Portrait photography info
Sony A850 Portrait photography info
30
good resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
72
has manual focus
megapixel count excellent (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Street photography advice
Sony A850 Street photography advice
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (103g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Sports photography info
Sony A850 Sports photography info
41
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count excellent (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Travel photography info
Sony A850 Travel photography info
69
lighter than others in class (103 grams)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
55
environment proofing
megapixel count excellent (25 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Landscape photography info
Sony A850 Landscape photography info
39
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
73
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count excellent (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
no liveview feature
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Vlogging highlights
Sony A850 Vlogging highlights
31
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (103 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone socket
9
no video
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Panasonic XS1 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic XS1 and Sony A850
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-01-07 2010-04-15
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.40 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 103 grams (0.23 lbs) 895 grams (1.97 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 1415
Other
Battery life 260 photographs 880 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots 1 Dual
Retail cost $130 $0