Samsung CL5 vs Sony A850
95 Imaging
32 Features
14 Overall
24


54 Imaging
67 Features
60 Overall
64
Samsung CL5 vs Sony A850 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 9MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-114mm (F3.5-4.5) lens
- 141g - 93 x 60 x 19mm
- Announced February 2009
- Also referred to as PL10
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- 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
- Revealed April 2010

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A850 Overview
Below, we will be comparing the Samsung CL5 and Sony A850, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the CL5 (9MP) and A850 (25MP) and the CL5 (1/2.5") and A850 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor size.

The CL5 was brought out 13 months earlier than the A850 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Samsung CL5 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the CL5 grades against the A850 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A850 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Samsung CL5 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A850. The entire galleries are viewable at Samsung CL5 Gallery & Sony A850 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung CL5 over the Sony A850
CL5 | A850 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Samsung CL5
A850 | CL5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 13 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Samsung CL5 and Sony A850
CL5 | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Missing Touch screen |
Samsung CL5 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry around your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Samsung CL5 features physical measurements of 93mm x 60mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7") and a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) whilst the Sony A850 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).
Analyze the Samsung CL5 and Sony A850 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have at that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the CL5 compared to the A850.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the CL5 and A850 is 95 and 54 respectively.

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizes only by viewing specifications. The pic here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the CL5 and A850.
Plainly, both cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The CL5 because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Sony A850 will render greater detail having its extra 16 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged CL5 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung CL5 vs Sony A850 Specifications
Samsung CL5 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Samsung | Sony |
Model | Samsung CL5 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 |
Also referred to as | PL10 | - |
Class | Ultracompact | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2009-02-23 | 2010-04-15 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.5" | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 5.744 x 4.308mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 24.7mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 9 megapixel | 25 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 3456 x 2592 | 6048 x 4032 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 200 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens focal range | 38-114mm (3.0x) | - |
Maximal aperture | f/3.5-4.5 | - |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | - |
Available lenses | - | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 6.3 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 922 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 98% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.74x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 16 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | - | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 4.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/250 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps) | - |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | None |
Video format | Motion JPEG | - |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | none | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 141g (0.31 lbs) | 895g (1.97 lbs) |
Dimensions | 93 x 60 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7") | 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 79 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.2 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 1415 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 880 photographs |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | Two |
Cost at release | $391 | $0 |