Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-5
54 Imaging
68 Features
60 Overall
64
89 Imaging
54 Features
58 Overall
55
Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost 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
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
- Launched June 2010
- Updated by Sony NEX-5N
Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview
Below, we will be evaluating the Sony A850 and Sony NEX-5, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are produced by Sony. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the A850 (25MP) and NEX-5 (14MP) and the A850 (Full frame) and NEX-5 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor size.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe A850 was released within a month of the NEX-5 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short introduction of how the A850 grades against the NEX-5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 and Sony Alpha NEX-5. The complete galleries are provided at Sony A850 Gallery and Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Sony NEX-5
A850 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 922k | 920k | Crisper screen (+2k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Sony A850
NEX-5 | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Sony A850 and Sony NEX-5
A850 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | April 2010 | June 2010 | Similar generation | |
Focus manually | Very accurate focusing | |||
Screen dimension | 3" | 3" | Identical screen size | |
Selfie screen | Neither contains selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly screen | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry your camera often, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Sony A850 has got external dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5 has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") and a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).
Contrast the Sony A850 and Sony NEX-5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the A850 against the NEX-5.
Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the A850 and NEX-5 is 54 and 89 respectively.
Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing simply by going over specs. The graphic below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the A850 and NEX-5.
As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The A850 because of its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Sony A850 will offer greater detail as a result of its extra 11MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots much more aggressively.
Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Sony | Sony |
Model type | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | Sony Alpha NEX-5 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2010-04-15 | 2010-06-07 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Bionz | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 35.9 x 24mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 861.6mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 25MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 6048 x 4032 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
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 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Sony/Minolta Alpha | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 143 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 922k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 98 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/250 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | AVCHD |
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 | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 895 gr (1.97 lbs) | 287 gr (0.63 lbs) |
Dimensions | 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") | 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 79 | 69 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.8 | 22.2 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.2 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 1415 | 796 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 880 photographs | 330 photographs |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NP-FM500H | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 2 | One |
Retail pricing | $0 | $599 |