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Sony A850 vs Sony HX1

Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Sony A850 vs Sony HX1 Key Specs

Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Released April 2010
Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Released April 2009
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Sony A850 vs Sony HX1 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Sony A850 versus Sony HX1, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are designed by Sony. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the A850 (25MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the A850 (Full frame) and HX1 (1/2.4") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The A850 was revealed 12 months later than the HX1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a brief summary of how the A850 scores versus the HX1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Sony HX1

 A850 HX1 
ReleasedApril 2010April 2009More recent by 12 months
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Sony A850

 HX1 A850 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Sony A850 and Sony HX1

 A850 HX1 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Sony A850 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony A850 enjoys outer 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) while the Sony HX1 has measurements of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Examine the Sony A850 versus Sony HX1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the A850 vs the HX1.

Sony A850 vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the A850 and HX1 is 54 and 67 respectively.

Sony A850 vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A850 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor measurements purely by going through specs. The photograph below will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the A850 and HX1.

All in all, both cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The A850 having a larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Sony A850 will produce greater detail because of its extra 16 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer A850 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Sony A850 vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A850 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A850 vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A850
Portrait photography with Sony HX1
72
you can focus manually
resolution is great (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
27
focusing manually
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (9MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A850 Street photography information
Sony HX1 Street photography information
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
screen is fixed
50
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
no RAW format
heavier than competition (544g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A850 Sports photography factors
Sony HX1 Sports photography factors
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is great (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
36
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
low megapixels (9MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A850
Travel photography with Sony HX1
55
environment sealing
resolution is great (25MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
48
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (544 grams)
low megapixels (9MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A850 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Landscape photography camera
73
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is great (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
two card slots
no liveview feature
missing Time Lapse mode
39
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (9MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.4")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A850
Vlogging with Sony HX1
9
no video shooting
22
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1440 x 1080 resolution)
missing external mic support
heavier than competition (544 grams)
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Sony A850 vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A850 and Sony HX1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-04-15 2009-04-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixel 9 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6048 x 4032 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 200 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 922 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Xtra Fine color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 98% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 9.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1440x1080
Video file format - H.264
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 895 gr (1.97 lbs) 544 gr (1.20 lbs)
Physical dimensions 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 1415 not tested
Other
Battery life 880 shots -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FM500H NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Dual Single
Retail pricing $0 $47,999