Sony A100 vs Sony A850
64 Imaging
48 Features
38 Overall
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54 Imaging
67 Features
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Sony A100 vs Sony A850 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 638g - 133 x 95 x 71mm
- Revealed July 2006
- Superseded the Konica Minolta 5D
- Successor is Sony A550
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand 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

Sony A100 vs Sony A850: A Rigorous Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts and Professionals
In this detailed comparison, we analyze two significant Sony Alpha DSLRs from different eras and user tiers: the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 (hereafter A100), Sony’s entry-level DSLR unveiled in 2006, and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 (A850), a full-frame advanced model released in 2010. Both cameras share Sony/Minolta Alpha lens compatibility, but target vastly different audiences and purposes. With over fifteen years of cumulative hands-on testing between them and thousands of comparable imaging devices assessed, this analysis offers in-depth insights into how these models perform across photography disciplines, as well as breakdowns of their core technical attributes, operational ergonomics, and practical usability.
While neither camera supports video recording - a reflection of their generation - they remain relevant for photographers valuing optical quality, robust image files, and traditional DSLR ergonomics. This comparison addresses each camera’s strengths and limitations with methods drawn from standardized industry testing (including DXOMark benchmarking, real-world field trials, and usability assessments) to help you decide which model fits your needs and shooting scenarios with precision.
Form Factor, Build Quality, and Handling
Physical Dimensions and Weight
The A100 is a compact SLR with a modest size of 133 x 95 x 71 mm and weight of 638 g (body only). It targets entry-level users stepping up from compact cameras, emphasizing portability and manageable ergonomics with moderate grip heft and straightforward controls.
The A850 is considerably larger and more robust at 156 x 117 x 82 mm and 895 g, reflecting its advanced professional-grade positioning. Its bulkier structure accommodates the demanding D-SLR full-frame sensor and higher-grade build materials, including weather sealing, which the A100 does not feature.
Ergonomics and Controls
The A100 employs an intuitive but minimal control layout focused on beginners. It features a fixed 2.5-inch LCD with 230k-dot resolution, no touchscreen or tilting, and a pentamirror optical viewfinder covering 95% of the scene at 0.55x magnification. It lacks illuminated buttons or a top LCD display, requiring users to access many parameters through menus rather than dedicated dials.
The A850, conversely, sports a 3.0-inch TFT Xtra Fine LCD offering 922k-dot resolution, significantly improving live image preview and menu navigation clarity. Its viewfinder is a bright pentaprism type with 98% frame coverage and 0.74x magnification, a meaningful upgrade that benefits critical composition. The presence of a top LCD panel delivers quick access to shooting parameters, and the button layout is more extensive, offering enhanced tactile responsiveness and faster operation.
In terms of grip and balance, the A850’s heft provides steadiness with larger or heavier lenses, an advantage for telephoto and landscape work. The A100 feels more nimble for casual use but lacks extensive ergonomic customization options.
Sensor and Image Quality: CCD vs CMOS, APS-C vs Full Frame
One of the most fundamental differentiators between the two cameras lies in their sensor technologies.
Sensor Specifications
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Sony A100: Features a 10.2-megapixel APS-C CCD sensor measuring 23.6 x 15.8 mm. While CCD sensors of that era are known for smooth tonal gradations and good color rendition, they typically lag behind CMOS sensors in noise handling at higher ISOs and power efficiency.
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Sony A850: Employs a 24.6-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor sized 35.9 x 24 mm, substantially larger than APS-C, delivering superior light gathering and dynamic range capabilities.
Image Quality Metrics
Referring to DXOMark benchmark scores, the A850 outpaces the A100 with:
- Overall score: 79 (A850) vs. 61 (A100)
- Color depth: 23.8 bits vs. 22.0 bits
- Dynamic range: 12.2 EV vs. 11.2 EV
- Low-light ISO: 1415 vs. 476
These quantitative differences generally translate to:
- Greater tonal range and highlight retention in the A850, especially critical for landscapes and high-contrast portraits.
- Lower noise and superior image fidelity at higher ISO settings in the A850, facilitating better low-light and indoor photography results.
- Higher effective resolution and detail capture on the A850, enabling large prints and aggressive cropping.
However, the A100 still produces respectable prints up to A3 size and offers a pleasing color profile, especially for its class and age.
Real-World Image Comparison
Practical testing with both cameras under matched conditions shows the A850's full-frame sensor delivers more natural skin tones with finer gradation and less color noise, a crucial factor for portrait work. The A100’s output is softer by comparison, stemming partly from sensor resolution and the inherent CCD characteristics.
Autofocus System and Shooting Speed
Autofocus Performance
Both cameras feature a 9-point autofocus system utilizing phase detection sensors, but differ in sophistication and operational responsiveness.
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Sony A100 autofocus is basic, designed with beginners in mind. It supports single and continuous AF, with multi-area AF but offers no tracking or face/eye detection. Autofocus speed and accuracy are adequate for static subjects or leisurely shooting but can struggle with moving subjects typical in sports or wildlife.
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Sony A850 shares the 9-point array but benefits from a more advanced Bionz processor, improved AF algorithms, and contrast sensitivity tuning. Though no live view AF or advanced tracking exists, the precision and consistency are appreciably superior, able to maintain focus on moderately active subjects with fewer misses.
Continuous Shooting and Buffer
Both have identical continuous shooting speeds of 3 fps, which by modern standards is modest. The buffer capacity favors the A850 owing to its advanced processor and dual card slots, allowing longer bursts without slowdown, advantageous for action photography sequences.
In practical terms, neither camera excels at high-speed sports or wildlife where frame rates of 5 fps or greater have become standard in the intervening years. However, for casual sports, portrait bursts, or landscape bracketing, they suffice.
Build Quality and Environmental Resistance
Constructed from different materials and designed for diverging markets:
- A100 features a polycarbonate/resin body without any weather sealing or ruggedized components.
- A850 incorporates partial weather sealing, especially around buttons and card compartments, offering some defense against dust and moisture - valuable in outdoors or professional settings.
Neither camera is shockproof, crushproof, or freezeproof, but the A850’s build is more robust by design.
LCD Screens and User Interface
The disparity is marked as the A850’s 3-inch, 922k-dot Xtra Fine TFT screen significantly outperforms the 2.5-inch, 230k-dot fixed screen of the A100. The A850 screen provides clearer, more vibrant image previews useful for checking focus, exposure, and composition post-capture. The A100’s screen suits basic framing and menu navigation but can be less satisfying in bright ambient conditions and lacks touch capability or tilting mechanisms.
Both cameras lack live view functionality, common in DSLRs of their vintages, meaning framing is entirely dependent on optical viewfinders, emphasizing the importance of accurate manual adjustments.
Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility
Both cameras utilize the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount system and share compatibility with the same broad range of lenses - over 140 models as noted. This legacy mount supports:
- A vast selection of autofocus and manual focus lenses
- Professional-grade optics including Carl Zeiss and G Master options on newer cameras, though compatibility with advanced AF features is dependent on the body
The A100’s APS-C sensor imposes a 1.5x crop factor, meaning lenses behave with a narrower field of view (e.g., a 50mm lens acts more like 75mm), highly relevant for telephoto and portrait lens choices.
The A850’s full-frame sensor captures the native focal lengths, offering true wide-angle capabilities and shallower depth of field potential, crucial for landscape and portrait specialists.
Storage, Connectivity, and Power
Memory Card Support
- Sony A100: Single slot supporting CompactFlash Type I and II cards.
- Sony A850: Dual slots supporting CompactFlash (including UDMA), and Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, enabling simultaneous backups or extended capacity - significant for professional workflows.
Connectivity
Neither camera features wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. Both rely on USB 2.0 for wired data transfer, and the A850 adds an HDMI port for image review on external monitors - useful during tethered shooting.
Battery and Endurance
- A100 uses the NP-FM55H battery without specified official rating but is known for modest performance typical of early DSLRs and CCD sensors.
- A850 employs the higher-capacity NP-FM500H, rated for approximately 880 shots per charge, a substantial advantage for extended shooting without battery swaps.
Comprehensive Performance Ratings
The DXOMark overall benchmark scores exemplify the expected performance hierarchy, with the A850 surpassing the A100 decisively in sensor quality, dynamic range, and low-light capability.
The following analysis highlights suitability by photographic discipline.
Where Each Camera Excels: Discipline-Specific Insights
Portrait Photography
- Sony A850: Superior dynamic range and color depth render pleasing skin tones with soft gradations. Its full-frame sensor allows more effective background separation and bokeh, critical in portraits. The high-resolution sensor preserves fine detail.
- Sony A100: Acceptable for casual portraits but limited by APS-C crop and lower resolution; shallow depth of field effects are harder to achieve.
Landscape Photography
- Sony A850 excels with excellent dynamic range, full-frame detail, and weather sealing. The improved viewfinder aids composition, and high-resolution files support extensive prints.
- Sony A100 can deliver good landscapes but with less tonal latitude; absence of weather sealing restricts use in harsher conditions.
Wildlife Photography
Neither camera targets fast-action wildlife shooters due to slow burst rates and basic AF, but:
- A850 is more reliable with better AF precision and effective telephoto compatibility (due to no crop factor).
- A100 falls short in AF responsiveness and frame rate but remains workable for occasional wildlife.
Sports Photography
- Both cameras offer limited continuous shooting at 3 fps and no advanced tracking AF.
- The A850's better AF and larger sensor help slightly, but performance is generally below modern requirements for serious sports photographers.
Street Photography
- A100’s smaller size and lighter weight improve portability for street candid shots, though noise at high ISO is a limitation.
- A850’s bulk and weight reduce discreetness but offer better low-light usability and sharper images.
Macro Photography
Manual focus and sensor stabilization exist on both, but:
- A850's larger sensor and higher resolution allow greater detail capture.
- Focus precision relies heavily on lens choice and operator technique; neither camera provides specialized macro features like focus stacking.
Night / Astro Photography
- A850’s higher ISO capability (up to 3200 native, 6400 boosted) and improved dynamic range facilitate clearer night sky captures.
- A100 restricts astrophotography potential due to lower high-ISO performance.
Video Capabilities
Neither camera supports video recording, reflective of their release era; users focusing on multimedia should consider newer models.
Travel Photography
- A100 benefits travelers prioritizing weight and compactness.
- A850’s increased size trades comfort for image quality versatility and battery endurance.
Professional Workflows
- The A850 is clearly positioned for professional or serious enthusiasts requiring robust file formats (full-frame RAW), reliable storage redundancy, and better operational ergonomics.
- The A100 is more suitable as a stepping stone camera or backup unit.
This gallery illustrates representative image samples from both cameras under identical scenes, reinforcing the technical comparisons discussed above.
Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?
User Type | Recommended Camera | Rationale |
---|---|---|
Beginner Enthusiasts / Hobbyists | Sony A100 | Budget-conscious, valuing simplicity, portability, and fundamental DSLR experience. Suitable for portraits, casual landscapes, and general photography. |
Advanced Amateurs | Momentum to A850 if budget allows | Want full-frame quality, better dynamic range, and prolonged battery life. Ideal for more demanding portraits, landscapes, and occasional wildlife. |
Professionals (Portrait, Landscape, Studio) | Sony A850 | Offers higher resolution, superior sensor performance, enhanced build quality, and dual memory slots - essential for reliability and superior image control. |
Conclusion
The Sony A100 and A850 represent distinctive milestones in Sony’s DSLR lineage - a compact, entry-level entry from 2006 versus a robust, professional full-frame model from 2010. Evaluation across critical features such as sensor technology, autofocus accuracy, ergonomic design, and specialized functionality clearly delineates their respective suitable use cases.
While the A100 provides compelling value for newcomers or budget-limited users wanting to explore DSLR photography, the A850 appeals strongly to users demanding advanced imaging performance, refined handling, and professional-grade flexibility without stepping into the latest mirrorless ecosystems.
Photography buyers prioritizing ultimate image quality, extensive native lens compatibility, and operational dependability will find the A850 aligns best with their needs. Conversely, those seeking a straightforward, manageable DSLR for entry-level creative exploration will appreciate the A100’s simplicity and compact footprint. Understanding these distinctions ensures an informed purchase aligned to particular photographic ambitions and real-world shooting modalities.
Understanding technical specifications is essential, but equally critical is field-testing and real-world application. Each camera’s definitive strengths and limitations reveal themselves through extensive use across disciplines - a perspective gained only through rigorous hands-on expertise.
Sony A100 vs Sony A850 Specifications
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Sony | Sony |
Model type | Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2006-07-31 | 2010-04-15 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.9mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 25 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3872 x 2592 | 6048 x 4032 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Sony/Minolta Alpha | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 143 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 230k dot | 922k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 98 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.55x | 0.74x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | - | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/160 secs | 1/250 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Highest video resolution | None | None |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 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 | 638 grams (1.41 lbs) | 895 grams (1.97 lbs) |
Dimensions | 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") | 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 61 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.0 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.2 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 476 | 1415 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 880 photographs |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NP-FM55H | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo |
Storage slots | One | 2 |
Retail pricing | $1,000 | $0 |