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Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A850

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41
Samsung GX-1S front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Samsung GX-1S
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Introduced January 2006
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Introduced April 2010
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Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A850 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Samsung GX-1S and Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Samsung and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the GX-1S (6MP) and A850 (25MP) and the GX-1S (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The GX-1S was announced 5 years earlier than the A850 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the GX-1S grades vs the A850 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Samsung GX-1S over the Sony A850

 GX-1S A850 

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Samsung GX-1S

 A850 GX-1S 
IntroducedApril 2010January 2006Fresher by 51 months
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution922k210kCrisper display (+712k dot)

Common features in the Samsung GX-1S and Sony A850

 GX-1S A850 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Samsung GX-1S offers exterior measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs) while the Sony A850 has measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Check the Samsung GX-1S and Sony A850 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the GX-1S against the A850.

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A850 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GX-1S and A850 is 68 and 54 respectively.

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reviewing specs. The graphic below will offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the GX-1S and A850.

All in all, both of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The GX-1S having a tinier sensor will make getting bokeh harder and the Sony A850 will deliver greater detail with its extra 19 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images much more aggressively. The older GX-1S is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung GX-1S Portrait photography information
Sony A850 Portrait photography information
51
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
72
has manual focus
excellent MP (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Samsung GX-1S as a Street photography camera
Sony A850 as a Street photography camera
60
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than others (605 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Samsung GX-1S Sports photography factors
Sony A850 Sports photography factors
39
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
excellent MP (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung GX-1S Travel photography advice
Sony A850 Travel photography advice
52
lighter than others (605 grams)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
55
weather proof
excellent MP (25MP)
no Time Lapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung GX-1S Landscape photography details
Sony A850 Landscape photography details
47
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.5")
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
73
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
excellent MP (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
has double storage slots
no liveview
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung GX-1S Vlogging features
Sony A850 Vlogging features
9
can't record video
9
no video
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Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung GX-1S and Sony A850
 Samsung GX-1SSony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung GX-1S Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2006-01-16 2010-04-15
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3008 x 2008 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 210k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 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 605g (1.33 lb) 895g (1.97 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 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 - 880 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC card Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Dual
Cost at release $850 $0