Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-7
54 Imaging
68 Features
60 Overall
64
![Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A850/Sony-A850-front.jpg)
![Sony Alpha NEX-7 front Sony Alpha NEX-7 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-NEX-7/Sony-NEX-7-front.jpg)
84 Imaging
64 Features
71 Overall
66
Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-7 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
- Revealed April 2010
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 400g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
- Revealed December 2011
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-7 Overview
In this write-up, we will be looking at the Sony A850 and Sony NEX-7, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless and they are both produced by Sony. The resolution of the A850 (25MP) and the NEX-7 (24MP) is relatively similar but the A850 (Full frame) and NEX-7 (APS-C) come with different sensor sizes.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
The A850 was manufactured 20 months earlier than the NEX-7 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the A850 matches up vs the NEX-7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-7 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 & Sony Alpha NEX-7. The entire galleries are viewable at Sony A850 Gallery & Sony NEX-7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Sony NEX-7
A850 | NEX-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 921k | Clearer screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-7 over the Sony A850
NEX-7 | A850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | December 2011 | ![]() | April 2010 | More recent by 20 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Sony A850 and Sony NEX-7
A850 | NEX-7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch screen |
Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-7 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Sony A850 has outside measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-7 has measurements of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).
Look at the Sony A850 and Sony NEX-7 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the A850 versus the NEX-7.
![Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-7 size comparison Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-7 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A850-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-7-size-comparison.jpg)
Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the A850 and NEX-7 is 54 and 84 respectively.
![Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-7 top view buttons comparison Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-7 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A850-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-7-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-7 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is hard to picture the contrast between sensor measurements simply by going over technical specs. The visual underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the A850 and NEX-7.
As you have seen, both the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The A850 due to its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Sony A850 will deliver extra detail due to its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older A850 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.
![Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-7 sensor size comparison Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-7 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A850-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-7-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and ViewFinder
![Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A850-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-7-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Sony A850 vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | Sony Alpha NEX-7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Sony | Sony |
Model | Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | Sony Alpha NEX-7 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2010-04-15 | 2011-12-13 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Bionz | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 35.9 x 24mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 861.6mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 25 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 6048 x 4032 | 6000 x 4000 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 16000 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Sony/Minolta Alpha | Sony E |
Available lenses | 143 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 922k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | 98 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 6.00 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, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/250 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 895 gr (1.97 lb) | 400 gr (0.88 lb) |
Dimensions | 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") | 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 79 | 81 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.8 | 24.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.2 | 13.4 |
DXO Low light score | 1415 | 1016 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 880 photos | 430 photos |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | NP-FM500H | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 or 5 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Dual | One |
Launch cost | $0 | $699 |