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Sony A850 vs Sony TX55

Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX55 front
Portability
97
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41

Sony A850 vs Sony TX55 Key Specs

Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Bump 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
Sony TX55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.5-4.8) lens
  • 109g - 93 x 54 x 13mm
  • Launched July 2011
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Sony A850 vs Sony TX55 Overview

Here is a extended review of the Sony A850 versus Sony TX55, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Ultracompact and both of them are produced by Sony. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the A850 (25MP) and TX55 (16MP) and the A850 (Full frame) and TX55 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The A850 was unveiled 15 months prior to the TX55 making them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony TX55 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the A850 scores against the TX55 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Sony TX55

 A850 TX55 

Reasons to pick Sony TX55 over the Sony A850

 TX55 A850 
LaunchedJuly 2011April 2010Fresher by 15 months
Display size3.3"3"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1230k922kClearer display (+308k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A850 and Sony TX55

 A850 TX55 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Sony A850 vs Sony TX55 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Sony A850 provides physical dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) and the Sony TX55 has proportions of 93mm x 54mm x 13mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.5") and a weight of 109 grams (0.24 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A850 versus Sony TX55 in the latest Camera and 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 use at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the A850 compared to the TX55.

Sony A850 vs Sony TX55 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the A850 and TX55 is 54 and 97 respectively.

Sony A850 vs Sony TX55 top view buttons comparison

Sony A850 vs Sony TX55 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing purely by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A850 and TX55.

Clearly, each of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The A850 with its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Sony A850 will provide you with more detail having an extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images way more aggressively. The older A850 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A850 vs Sony TX55 sensor size comparison

Sony A850 vs Sony TX55 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A850 vs Sony TX55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A850 Portrait photography factors
Sony TX55 Portrait photography factors
72
has manual focus
resolution is fantastic (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
36
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A850
Street photography with Sony TX55
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
no articulating screen
58
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A850 Sports photography factors
Sony TX55 Sports photography factors
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is fantastic (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
environment proof
has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
44
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good battery life (250 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A850 Travel photography advice
Sony TX55 Travel photography advice
55
environment proof
resolution is fantastic (25MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
69
good battery life (250 per charge)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A850
Landscape photography with Sony TX55
73
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is fantastic (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
no liveview feature
does not have Timelapse mode
50
focusing manually
rather wide (26mm)
screen is a decent size (3.3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good battery life (250 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A850 Vlogging factors
Sony TX55 Vlogging factors
9
lack of video recording
34
rather wide (26mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic support
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Sony A850 vs Sony TX55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A850 and Sony TX55
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX55
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX55
Class Advanced DSLR Ultracompact
Revealed 2010-04-15 2011-07-24
Physical type Mid-size SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6048 x 4032 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 26-130mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-4.8
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Total lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3.3 inch
Resolution of screen 922 thousand dots 1,230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Xtra Fine color LCD XtraFine OLED display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type 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 rate 3.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 895 grams (1.97 pounds) 109 grams (0.24 pounds)
Physical dimensions 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") 93 x 54 x 13mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.5")
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 shots 250 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FM500H NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo microSD/SDHC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots 2 1
Launch cost $0 $350