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Sony A850 vs Sony HX5

Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Sony A850 vs Sony HX5 Key Specs

Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Introduced April 2010
Sony HX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Introduced June 2010
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Sony A850 vs Sony HX5 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Sony A850 versus Sony HX5, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are produced by Sony. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the A850 (25MP) and HX5 (10MP) and the A850 (Full frame) and HX5 (1/2.4") feature totally different sensor size.

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The A850 was unveiled 2 months earlier than the HX5 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX5 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the A850 matches up versus the HX5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Sony HX5

 A850 HX5 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony HX5 over the Sony A850

 HX5 A850 

Common features in the Sony A850 and Sony HX5

 A850 HX5 
IntroducedApril 2010June 2010Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Sony A850 vs Sony HX5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Sony A850 provides outer dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) and the Sony HX5 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Check out the Sony A850 versus Sony HX5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the A850 against the HX5.

Sony A850 vs Sony HX5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the A850 and HX5 is 54 and 92 respectively.

Sony A850 vs Sony HX5 top view buttons comparison

Sony A850 vs Sony HX5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements simply by checking out technical specs. The visual below should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A850 and HX5.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The A850 having a bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Sony A850 will show more detail having an extra 15MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively.

Sony A850 vs Sony HX5 sensor size comparison

Sony A850 vs Sony HX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A850 vs Sony HX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A850 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Portrait photography camera
72
manual focus
megapixel count high (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
19
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.4")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A850 Street photography information
Sony HX5 Street photography information
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
no articulating screen
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.4")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony A850 Sports photography highlights
Sony HX5 Sports photography highlights
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count high (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.4")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A850 Travel photography advice
Sony HX5 Travel photography advice
55
weather sealing
megapixel count high (25MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A850 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX5 as a Landscape photography camera
73
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count high (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
two card slots
no liveview
missing Time Lapse mode
37
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.4")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A850
Vlogging with Sony HX5
9
lack of video recording
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic port
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Sony A850 vs Sony HX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A850 and Sony HX5
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-04-15 2010-06-16
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 6048 x 4032 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 200 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range - 5cm
Available lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 922 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Xtra Fine color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 895 gr (1.97 lbs) 200 gr (0.44 lbs)
Dimensions 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FM500H NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/portrait2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, optional SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Two 1
Price at release $0 $275