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Samsung NX11 vs Sony A850

Portability
80
Imaging
55
Features
50
Overall
53
Samsung NX11 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Samsung NX11 vs Sony A850 Key Specs

Samsung NX11
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 499g - 123 x 87 x 40mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Superseded the Samsung NX10
  • Successor is Samsung NX20
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Launched April 2010
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Samsung NX11 vs Sony A850 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Samsung NX11 and Sony A850, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Samsung and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the NX11 (15MP) and A850 (25MP) and the NX11 (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) have different sensor size.

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The NX11 was brought out 9 months after the A850 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung NX11 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the NX11 matches up against the A850 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX11 over the Sony A850

 NX11 A850 
LaunchedDecember 2010April 2010Newer by 9 months

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Samsung NX11

 A850 NX11 
Screen resolution922k614kCrisper screen (+308k dot)

Common features in the Samsung NX11 and Sony A850

 NX11 A850 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Samsung NX11 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Samsung NX11 has got outer measurements of 123mm x 87mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") having a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Sony A850 has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Check the Samsung NX11 and Sony A850 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the NX11 compared to the A850.

Samsung NX11 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NX11 and A850 is 80 and 54 respectively.

Samsung NX11 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX11 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading specs. The picture here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the NX11 and A850.

All in all, both the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The NX11 due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony A850 will offer more detail having its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The newer NX11 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Samsung NX11 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX11 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX11 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX11 Portrait photography details
Sony A850 Portrait photography details
73
has manual focus
MP count decent (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
72
has manual focus
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX11 as a Street photography camera
Sony A850 as a Street photography camera
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (499 grams)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX11 Sports photography information
Sony A850 Sports photography information
52
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (400 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
71
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX11 Travel photography advice
Sony A850 Travel photography advice
63
better than average battery life (400 shots)
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than average in class (499g)
screen is not selfie friendly
55
weather proofing
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX11 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A850 as a Landscape photography camera
68
has manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (400 CIPA)
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
2 card slots
no liveview
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX11 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A850 as a Vlogging camera
24
provides face detect focusing
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
more heavy than average in class (499g)
9
lack of video recording
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Samsung NX11 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX11 and Sony A850
 Samsung NX11Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX11 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2010-12-28 2010-04-15
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DRIM Engine Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3056 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 15 9
Lens
Lens support Samsung NX Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 32 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 614 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech Active Matrix OLED screen TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 11.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 499g (1.10 lbs) 895g (1.97 lbs)
Physical dimensions 123 x 87 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 63 79
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 12.2
DXO Low light rating 553 1415
Other
Battery life 400 photos 880 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP1130 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots Single Dual
Pricing at release $626 $0