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Sony A850 vs Sony RX10 IV

Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV front
Portability
52
Imaging
53
Features
82
Overall
64

Sony A850 vs Sony RX10 IV Key Specs

Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Released April 2010
Sony RX10 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-600mm (F2.4-4.0) lens
  • 1095g - 133 x 94 x 145mm
  • Released September 2017
  • Superseded the Sony RX10 III
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Sony A850 vs Sony RX10 IV Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Sony A850 versus Sony RX10 IV, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Large Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Sony. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the A850 (25MP) and RX10 IV (20MP) and the A850 (Full frame) and RX10 IV (1") offer totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The A850 was announced 8 years earlier than the RX10 IV and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony RX10 IV being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick view of how the A850 scores vs the RX10 IV for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Sony RX10 IV

 A850 RX10 IV 

Reasons to pick Sony RX10 IV over the Sony A850

 RX10 IV A850 
ReleasedSeptember 2017April 2010Fresher by 90 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k922kSharper screen (+518k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A850 and Sony RX10 IV

 A850 RX10 IV 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Sony A850 vs Sony RX10 IV Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony A850 features physical dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) while the Sony RX10 IV has measurements of 133mm x 94mm x 145mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.7") with a weight of 1095 grams (2.41 lbs).

Look at the Sony A850 versus Sony RX10 IV in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the A850 vs the RX10 IV.

Sony A850 vs Sony RX10 IV size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the A850 and RX10 IV is 54 and 52 respectively.

Sony A850 vs Sony RX10 IV top view buttons comparison

Sony A850 vs Sony RX10 IV Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading specs. The visual here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the A850 and RX10 IV.

All in all, the two cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The A850 using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony A850 will offer extra detail with its extra 5MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The older A850 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony A850 vs Sony RX10 IV sensor size comparison

Sony A850 vs Sony RX10 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A850 vs Sony RX10 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A850 Portrait photography highlights
Sony RX10 IV Portrait photography highlights
72
focusing manually
megapixel count fantastic (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
71
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A850 as a Street photography camera
Sony RX10 IV as a Street photography camera
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
no articulating screen
64
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
weather proofing
more heavy than competition in class (1,095g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A850
Sports photography with Sony RX10 IV
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count fantastic (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
76
amazing zoom range (24-600mm 25.0 x zoom)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (24.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
includes tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A850 Travel photography highlights
Sony RX10 IV Travel photography highlights
55
weather sealing
megapixel count fantastic (25 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
56
weather proofing
has bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
megapixel count decent (20MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (1,095 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A850 Landscape photography info
Sony RX10 IV Landscape photography info
73
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count fantastic (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
does not have liveview
lack of Timelapse function
62
focusing manually
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.4)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A850
Vlogging with Sony RX10 IV
9
can't shoot video
29
pretty wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external microphone jack
slow max aperture (f2.4)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
more heavy than competition in class (1,095 grams)
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Sony A850 vs Sony RX10 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A850 and Sony RX10 IV
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV
Type Advanced DSLR Large Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-04-15 2017-09-12
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1"
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 25MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6048 x 4032 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Max boosted ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 200 125
RAW files
Min boosted ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 315
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-600mm (25.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.4-4.0
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 922k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Xtra Fine color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 24.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, fill-flash, slow sync, rear sync, off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p) ,1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 895g (1.97 pounds) 1095g (2.41 pounds)
Physical dimensions 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") 133 x 94 x 145mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1415 not tested
Other
Battery life 880 images 400 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FM500H NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Two 1
Pricing at launch $0 $1,698