Sony A850 vs Sony W370: An In-Depth Look at Two Cameras from Different Worlds

Choosing a camera is like picking a travel companion - you want reliability, performance, and a little bit of flair to match your style. Today, I’m diving deep into a somewhat peculiar but fascinating comparison: the Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 (A850), a full-frame advanced DSLR from 2010, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W370 (W370), a compact point-and-shoot released the same year. They couldn’t be more different in design, philosophy, and target users - and that’s exactly why this comparison can offer useful insights for photographers shopping across categories or simply curious about how camera tech stacks up at both ends of the spectrum.

I’ve spent years behind viewfinders, testing sensors, and juggling specs, and both these models have unique stories to tell in terms of image quality, handling, usability, and suitability across photography genres. Let’s pull out the measuring tape and lab goggles, and see how these very different cameras perform from my hands-on experience.

The Size and Feel: DSLR Muscle vs Pocket-Sized Convenience

When you pick up the Sony A850, you immediately feel the substance. At 895 grams and measuring 156 x 117 x 82 mm, this mid-size DSLR has the reassuring heft and grip that serious photography demands. The ergonomics encourage firm, comfortable handling during long sessions, and the button layout is straightforward without being overwhelming. It feels like a professional tool.

Contrast that with the featherweight W370, at a mere 179 grams and a svelte 100 x 57 x 26 mm profile - this camera slips effortlessly into a jeans pocket. It’s designed for on-the-go snapshots, offering no fuss or heavy lifting. Ideal for travel, casual street photography, or quick family shots.

This size difference defines so much of their respective user experiences. The A850’s larger body means better stability for longer exposures or telephoto usage but less portability. The W370 wins hands down for convenience, but sacrifices any semblance of manual control or viewfinder experience.

Design & Controls: Where DSLR Complexity Meets Compact Simplicity

Looking from above, the A850 boasts a classic SLR layout with a chunky top plate featuring a comprehensive mode dial, dedicated exposure compensation dial, and various quick-access buttons. The inclusion of a small monochrome top screen displaying shooting info is nice for quick glances. This design facilitates rapid, tactile adjustments - key when shooting fast-moving subjects or tricky lighting.

The W370, in sharp contrast, has a minimalistic layout typical for compacts: a simple power button, shutter release, and zoom rocker dominate the top plate. There are no manual exposure options, no physical dials, and all settings happen via the menu or automated modes.

Both have 3-inch LCD screens, but the A850’s fixed TFT Xtra Fine color LCD offers 922k-dot resolution for detailed image review and menu navigation, while the W370’s screen is significantly lower resolution at roughly 230k dots - adequate for framing but not great for judging critical sharpness or exposure.

Sensor Science - Why Full Frame Still Wows

Putting these side by side, we’re looking at two fundamentally different sensor architectures. The A850 sports a 35.9 x 24 mm full-frame CMOS sensor with 25 megapixels - a generous resolution that delivers fine detail and excellent image quality. It uses Sony’s Bionz processor for noise reduction and image rendering, delivering strong results especially in daylight or controlled studio conditions.

The W370 employs a much smaller 1/2.3" CCD sensor at 6.17 x 4.55 mm with 14 megapixels. Smaller sensor size here means limited dynamic range, reduced noise performance in low light, and less color depth. However, it’s balanced by the camera’s compact size and zoom versatility (34-238 mm effective focal length with 7x optical zoom).

From practical testing, the A850’s full-frame sensor gives unmatched advantages in image clarity, low-light sensitivity (native ISO 200 with expanded up to 6400), and color depth (DxO measures it at around 24 bits). It can capture subtle skin tones and nuanced landscapes with natural gradations, something only full-frame sensors can consistently deliver.

The W370’s sensor fulfills its point-and-shoot promise: good results under bright daylight or indoor flash, but noise and loss of detail become evident beyond ISO 800 and in shadow areas.

Viewfinder and Screen: Finding Your Frame in Different Ways

The A850 offers a bright, optical pentaprism viewfinder with 98% coverage and 0.74x magnification - an old-school photographer’s joy. An optical viewfinder like this allows precise framing, minimal lag, and better performance in bright light compared to LCDs. Unfortunately, no electronic overlay or focusing aids, but 9 autofocus points (phase detection) provide decent set-ups.

The W370 has no viewfinder - framing is 100% dependent on its LCD screen. This reflects its compact, casual use design. The screen’s lower resolution makes it difficult to identify fine details or focus pitfalls, especially in brighter outdoor environments where glare can wash out the display.

Autofocus & Performance: Speed, Tracking, and Reliability

Autofocus often makes or breaks a camera’s usefulness across genres, particularly sports, wildlife, and street photography.

The A850 uses a 9-point phase-detection AF system that performs well for its era but isn’t blazing fast by today’s standards. It lacks face or eye detection and no continuous focus tracking during bursts - a limitation if you’re chasing fast subjects. However, it has multi-area and selective AF options and manages fairly reliable focusing in good light.

W370 relies on contrast-detection autofocus with 9 areas and center-weighted AF. This system is slower and prone to hesitations when lighting isn’t ideal. No manual focus or continuous AF. It gets the job done for portraits or casual snaps but not for dynamic scenes requiring quick acquisition.

Photography Genre Breakdown: Which Camera Shines Where?

Portrait Photography

Skin tones require accurate color reproduction and creamy bokeh for flattering results. The A850’s full-frame sensor excels here, providing smooth background separation and natural skin rendition - particularly when paired with fast prime lenses from Sony’s extensive Alpha mount ecosystem.

The W370’s smaller sensor and slower optics produce flatter images with less pleasing blur and less accurate tone gradation. It’s fine for casual portraits but not professional work.

Landscape Photography

Here, dynamic range and resolution are kings. The A850 delivers high-resolution files (6048x4032) with broad tonal latitude (12+ EV at base ISO), ideal for large prints and detailed landscapes. Its weather sealing adds robustness for outdoor adventures in varying conditions.

The W370’s limited dynamic range and smaller sensor area restrict shadow detail recovery, and its plastic build offers no weather sealing, limiting rugged use. Great for snapshots but frustrating for serious landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Fast autofocus and high burst rates matter. The A850’s 3 fps continuous shooting and limited 9-point AF make it barely adequate for moderate action photography. Lacking advanced tracking and face/eye detection means you’ll miss many decisive moments.

W370 is not designed for these genres; its 2 fps shooting and sluggish contrast-detection AF basically preclude effective wildlife or sports shooting.

Street Photography

Portability and discretion win here. The W370’s small size and quiet operation make it more street-friendly. However, the lack of manual controls and slower AF can hamper creativity.

A850 is bulky and noisy but better image quality. If gear weight isn’t an issue and you prefer manual control, A850 suits more deliberate street shooting.

Macro Photography

Precision focusing and magnification matter. Neither camera is specialized macro, but the A850, with appropriate macro lenses, effortlessly outclasses the W370. The latter’s fixed lens and contrast AF limit close focusing ability and sharpness.

Night/Astro Photography

High ISO performance and long shutter support are critical. A850’s ISO sensitivity up to 6400 and shutter speeds from 30s enable astrophotography potential, especially on a tripod. W370 maxes out at 1600 ISO with slower shutter limit (2 seconds), so night scenes will be noisy and dim.

Video Features: A Tale of Two Eras

The A850 does not offer video recording capabilities, reflecting its 2010 DSLR design focus on stills.

W370, a casual compact, supports HD video at 1280x720 (30 fps) and VGA 640x480 (30 fps), saved in Motion JPEG format. This is basic but sufficient for simple home videos or social sharing, with image stabilization to smooth handheld footage.

Neither model has microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio control.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

The A850 sports environmental sealing, which - while not a full rugged rating - offers some resistance to dust and moisture. Its robust construction aligns with professional use expectations.

The W370’s compact plastic body provides no weather sealing, making it vulnerable to dust and moisture.

Battery Life and Storage

Surprisingly, the A850 delivers excellent battery performance at approximately 880 shots per charge, thanks to its dedicated NP-FM500H battery pack. Dual memory card slots (CF and Memory Stick) offer flexibility and backup options.

The W370 uses an NP-BN1 battery, with less impressive endurance typical of compact cameras. It offers a single slot for SD or Memory Stick cards and internal storage - convenient, but less flexible.

Connectivity and Extras

Both cameras lack modern wireless connectivity like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, expected for their 2010 release dates.

They both include HDMI and USB 2.0 ports, but no GPS or NFC.

Pricing and Value Perspective

The Sony A850 has been discontinued for years and is only available used, often at bargain prices thanks to its age. The W370 was marketed as an affordable compact, retailing around $230 at launch.

If you prioritize image quality and full manual control, the A850’s marketplace value has held relatively well due to full-frame credentials. For casual use, travel, or simple family snapshots, the W370 offers a pocket-ready solution without fuss.

Overall Performance Scores & User Recommendations

Here is a summarized view of their performance scores from credible sources such as DxOMark:

And breaking down by photography genre:

My Personal Take After Testing Both Cameras

The Sony A850, despite being over a decade old, is still a formidable DSLR for enthusiasts who want full-frame quality without breaking the bank. Its strengths lie in producing beautiful images with excellent color depth, solid low-light capability, and professional-grade ergonomics. However, it’s not for someone seeking speed or modern autofocus sophistication - lack of live view and video can feel limiting today.

The W370 is a cheerful, pocket-sized companion ideal for those who crave simplicity, immediacy, and portability. It does just enough to capture decent images in good lighting without complexity - great for beginners or everyday casual photography. It struggles in challenging lighting or demanding shooting styles.

Sony A850 front Sony A850 screen back Sony W370 front Sony W370 screen back

Honest Pros and Cons at a Glance

Sony A850 Pros:

• Full-frame sensor with rich image quality and dynamic range
• Solid build with weather sealing
• Excellent battery life and dual card slots
• Classic DSLR controls with manual exposure modes
• Good for portraits, landscapes, and studio work

Sony A850 Cons:

• Bulky and heavy compared to compacts
• Slow burst rate (3 fps) and limited AF points
• No video recording capabilities
• No modern connectivity options
• No live view screen or touchscreen

Sony W370 Pros:

• Extremely compact and lightweight
• 7x optical zoom for versatile framing
• Built-in optical image stabilization
• HD video recording capability
• Simple, beginner-friendly operation

Sony W370 Cons:

• Small sensor limits image quality and low-light ability
• Slow contrast-detection AF, no continuous or manual focus
• Low-resolution LCD screen
• No raw file support
• Plastic body with no weather sealing

Who Should Buy Which Camera? Tailored Recommendations

• For Enthusiasts and Semi-Pros Seeking Image Quality: The A850 is the clear choice if you want to work with full-frame files, have control over your settings, and don’t mind the bulk. Lens compatibility across Sony Alpha/Minolta mounts is a big plus.

• For Casual Shooters and Travelers: The W370 fits the bill if you want a grab-and-go camera suitable for snapshots, family events, and travel without fuss. It’s a digital point-and-shoot you can carry anywhere.

• For Portrait and Landscape Photographers: A850’s sensor and optics are essential for serious portraiture and landscape prints.

• For Street or Everyday Discretion: W370’s size and quiet operation beat a bulky DSLR for stealthy shooting, though with limited creative control.

• For Video Lovers: W370 offers basic HD recording; A850 cannot record video.

Final Thoughts: Two Cameras, Two Worlds

Comparing the Sony A850 and W370 feels a bit like pairing a vintage sports car with a compact city scooter - each serves distinct roles with very different skill sets. The A850’s full-frame prowess and manual flexibility make it a solid tool for those looking to hone artistic control and quality. The W370 provides a no-hassle digital camera for quick moments and ease of use.

If your heart is set on timeless image quality and the satisfaction of manual mastery, seek out the A850 paired with a good prime or zoom lens. If you want a cheerful, pocket-sized camera for casual fun and decent zoom, the W370 is a reliable friend.

Neither camera is “better” outright - it all depends on your photographic adventures and how you want to capture them.

I hope this deep dive helps you unravel the strengths and quirks of these Sony classics, guiding you toward the camera that’ll inspire your next memorable shot.

Happy shooting!

References & Resources

• DXOMark sensor test results
• Hands-on shooting trips with scenic landscapes and street outings
• In-studio shoot tests with portrait setups
• User interface trials and menus navigation
• Battery usage logs from extended field work

Your photographic journey is unique - choose gear that fits your vision and lifestyle.

Images used:

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• Sony A850 front Sony A850 screen back Sony W370 front Sony W370 screen back