Sony A850 vs Sony TX66: Choosing the Right Camera for Your Creative Journey

When deciding on a camera, it's crucial to understand how each model aligns with your photography goals, style, and budget. Today we’re comparing two distinct Sony cameras: the Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 (A850), a full-frame advanced DSLR from 2010, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX66 (TX66), a sleek ultracompact from 2012. These cameras hail from different eras and serve very different photographers, but both carry Sony’s commitment to quality and innovation.

In this detailed comparison, we’ll analyze their real-world performance across various photography disciplines, dive deep into their technical features, and provide clear guidance on which camera suits your needs best. Whether you’re a seasoned pro seeking full-frame quality or a casual shooter craving portability, this guide will help you make an informed choice.

Measuring Ergonomics and Design: Size and Handling Matter

Before we look under the hood, assessing how each camera feels in your hands is crucial. Ergonomics influence your shooting comfort, ease of control, and your ability to get those decisive shots.

• Sony A850: This mid-size DSLR weighs 895 grams and measures 156 x 117 x 82 mm. Its robust body features dedicated buttons, a sturdy grip, and a substantial pentaprism optical viewfinder. This design is typical of cameras built for extensive shooting sessions and professional use.

• Sony TX66: An ultra-compact camera weighing just 109 grams and measuring a slim 93 x 54 x 13 mm. The TX66 is designed for ultimate portability, easily slipping into a pocket or purse, perfect for casual and travel photography.

Takeaway: If you prize a tactile, immersive shooting experience with traditional DSLR controls, the A850 excels. For grab-and-go convenience without bulky gear, the TX66’s pocketability is unmatched.

Control and Interface: The Photographer's Command Center

The ergonomics extend into how you interact with the camera. User interface design and control layouts impact how quickly and intuitively you can adjust settings - a key factor in dynamic shooting environments.

• A850 Controls: Offers a full suite of physical dials and buttons, including dedicated shutter priority, aperture priority, manual exposure, and exposure compensation controls. The presence of a top LCD panel provides quick access to critical information.

• TX66 Controls: Relies on a minimalist button arrangement and a touchscreen interface. It lacks traditional exposure modes and physical dials, limiting manual control but enhancing ease for beginners.

Our Experience: The A850’s controls give you granular command ideal for manual shooting and fast adjustments in the field. The TX66’s touch interface is intuitive, perfect for casual users but restrictive for advanced exposure tweaking.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Photography

Next, let’s explore how these cameras perform in creating images. Sensor size, resolution, and technology directly affect image quality, especially regarding noise, dynamic range, and detail.

• Sony A850: Its full-frame sensor is a major asset, delivering superb image quality with high resolution and excellent dynamic range (12.2 EV on DxOMark). The larger sensor area enables superior low-light performance (ISO 1415 DxOMark low-light score) and appealing depth of field control for beautiful background separation.

• Sony TX66: Smaller sensor size limits image quality, especially in low light; however, its backside illumination (BSI) design improves sensitivity compared to older CCD sensors. The 18-megapixel resolution is respectable for snapshots but struggles with detail retention at high ISO.

Practical Insight: If resolving fine detail, rich tones, and low noise are priorities - as in portrait or landscape photography - the A850’s sensor is a game-changer. The TX66 shines in well-lit casual scenarios but can’t match the DSLR’s image fidelity.

Viewing and Composing: Screen and Viewfinder Usability

Composing your shot precisely and reviewing images accurately are vital for any photographer.

• Sony A850: Features a 3” fixed TFT Xtra Fine TFT LCD with 922k dots, complemented with a large, bright optical pentaprism viewfinder covering 98% of the frame and 0.74x magnification. The optical viewfinder offers clarity and real-time responsiveness essential for outdoor or long shooting sessions without eye strain.

• Sony TX66: Equipped with a 3.3” XtraFine TruBlack OLED touchscreen boasting 1.23 million dots - offering vibrant, high-contrast visuals. It lacks a viewfinder altogether, relying on the LCD for framing.

Consider This: Professionals and enthusiasts often prefer an optical viewfinder for precise composition in bright sunlight, offering a traditional shooting experience. Those who prioritize interactive touch features and informal shots will appreciate the TX66’s bright, responsive LCD.

Autofocus and Speed: Keeping Pace with the Action

Autofocus performance is critical in genres like wildlife, sports, and street photography. Let’s analyze how each model performs here.

• Sony A850: Its phase-detection AF system with 9 points provides reliable focusing in static or slow-moving scenes but struggles with fast or erratic subjects because it lacks more advanced tracking. The continuous burst rate of 3 fps is modest, suited more for portraits and landscapes than rapid action.

• Sony TX66: No phase-detection AF, instead using contrast detect and face detection, making it less precise but effective for casual snapshots, especially recognizing faces well. Its 10 fps burst mode is impressive, though autofocus is locked between shots, limiting continuous focus.

Testing Approach: During field tests with wildlife and sports subjects, the A850’s AF tended to lag in fast-paced scenes, while the TX66 excelled at quick bursts but without reliable focus on moving subjects. Advanced action photographers will find neither perfect; modern models offer better tracking systems.

Build Quality and Durability: Weather Sealing and Body Materials

Professional gear often needs to withstand challenging conditions.

• Sony A850: Offers environmental sealing resistant to moisture and dust - a clear advantage outdoors. The body structure is solidly built with magnesium alloy, providing durability needed for professional use.

• Sony TX66: No weather sealing, with lightweight plastic construction to maintain compactness. It’s vulnerable to harsh environments but suitable for everyday casual use.

Lens Ecosystem and Adaptability

Lens options profoundly impact your creative flexibility.

• Sony A850: Compatible with Sony/Minolta Alpha mount lenses, boasting a vast selection of over 140 lenses ranging from affordable primes to flagship Zeiss optics. This versatility facilitates diverse shooting styles, from macro to super-telephoto.

• Sony TX66: Fixed 26-130mm equivalent zoom lens with f/3.5-4.8 aperture. While convenient, you cannot change lenses, restricting versatility but avoiding lens investment complexity.

Pro Tip: If lens investment and creative adaptability are key, the A850’s system offers freedom to grow your arsenal. The TX66 is ideal for convenience without worrying about lens choices.

Battery Life and Storage

• Sony A850: Impressive endurance rated at 880 shots per charge using the NP-FM500H battery; dual card slots support CompactFlash and Memory Stick Duo for ample storage and backup options.

• Sony TX66: Smaller battery supports about 250 shots; single slot for Memory Stick Duo or microSD cards.

Long shooting days benefit from the A850’s superior battery life and storage flexibility.

Connectivity and Modern Features

• Both models lack wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or NFC, reflecting their vintage release dates.
• Both provide HDMI output and USB 2.0 ports for tethered shooting and data transfer.
• Neither supports RAW video or advanced video codecs beyond the TX66’s basic AVCHD 1080p 60fps, which is limited in use.

Practical Photography Use Cases: Who Wins Where?

Let’s explore how each camera performs across key photography styles.

Portrait Photography

• Sony A850 Strengths: Full-frame sensor excels for smooth skin tones and creamy bokeh due to shallow depth of field. Manual focus and aperture control allow creative background separation. 9 AF points can assist in steady focus, albeit less sophisticated compared to modern eye-detection AF.

• Sony TX66 Strengths: Face detection AF helps automatic focus on faces but smaller sensor limits artistic bokeh. Ideal for casual portraits and social media snapshots.

Landscape Photography

• A850: High resolution and wide dynamic range capture detailed, color-rich landscapes. Weather sealing ensures shooting outdoors safely. Supports wide-angle lenses with full-frame clarity.

• TX66: Compact and easy to carry on hikes but sensor size limits dynamic range and sharpness. Lens zoom covers moderate wide to telephoto range.

Wildlife and Sports

• A850: Phase detection AF is limited for fast, erratic subjects; slower 3 fps burst misses critical moments.

• TX66: Faster 10 fps burst is attractive but lacks continuous AF tracking, likely resulting in missed focus on moving wildlife or athletes.

Neither excels here compared to modern cameras.

Street Photography

• A850: Bulky size and weight make it less discreet; optical viewfinder accuracy helps precise framing.

• TX66: Ultra-compact, silent operation, and fast snapshot capability ideal for street photography and candid shots.

Macro Photography

• A850: With compatible macro lenses and sensor-based stabilization, it can capture fine detail beautifully.

• TX66: 1cm macro focusing is commendable for a compact, but sensor limitations reduce detail and depth.

Night and Astro Photography

• A850: Full-frame sensor and extended ISO flexibility allow for cleaner night and astrophotography shots.

• TX66: High ISO limits help little in dark scenes; long exposures may introduce noise.

Video Capabilities

• A850: No video recording; photos only.

• TX66: Can shoot 1080p at 60fps, suitable for casual video content but limited codec options and no microphone input.

Travel Photography

• A850: Heavy but versatile; excellent image quality and ruggedness.

• TX66: Perfectly sized for travel, weighing a fraction and fitting any pocket but with tradeoffs in image quality.

Professional Workflows

• A850: Supports RAW image format, reliable file management, and compatibility with professional software ecosystems.

• TX66: No RAW support, limiting post-processing flexibility.

Summary of Key Specifications and Performance Ratings

Sample Images: Real-World Output Comparison

Sony A850 front Sony A850 screen back Sony TX66 front Sony TX66 screen back

Observe the finer details rendered by the A850, the smoother gradations, and vibrant tones. The TX66 captures decent images in good light but shows noticeable noise and softer edges.

Recommendations: Matching the Camera to Your Creative Needs

Final Thoughts: Which Sony Fits Your Photographer’s Toolkit?

The Sony A850 remains a formidable DSLR classical contender for those valuing image quality and manual control. Despite its age, it offers professional-grade performance if you can handle its bulk and dated autofocus features. It’s the choice if you want to delve deep into photography’s fundamentals, develop with multiple lenses, and prioritize final image fidelity.

In contrast, the Sony TX66 accommodates photographers who want convenience, portability, and casual creativity without fuss over technicalities. It’s a fantastic pocket camera for travel, social occasions, or video capture at a beginner-intermediate level. However, it doesn’t replace a DSLR for demanding projects or large prints.

Explore, Experiment, and Elevate Your Photography

Choosing between these cameras depends on your creative priorities. We encourage you to hold each in your hands, test their interfaces, and consider how you’ll use them day-to-day. Look beyond specs - your workflow, ergonomic comfort, and lens needs will shape the best fit.

Get started by:

• Renting or trialing cameras in store or via rental services.
• Picking lenses if opting for the A850 to expand your creative arsenal.
• Exploring settings and modes on the TX66 to unlock its compact power.

Your next camera should inspire you to capture moments effortlessly while growing your skill - whether that’s with the classic full-frame Sony A850 or the nimble TX66 compact.

Happy shooting!