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Sony A850 vs Sony WX1

Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27

Sony A850 vs Sony WX1 Key Specs

Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise 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 WX1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 149g - 91 x 52 x 20mm
  • Launched August 2009
Photography Glossary

Sony A850 vs Sony WX1 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Sony A850 and Sony WX1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Ultracompact and both of them are produced by Sony. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the A850 (25MP) and WX1 (10MP) and the A850 (Full frame) and WX1 (1/2.4") have totally different sensor size.

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The A850 was introduced 9 months after the WX1 and they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature different body design with the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony WX1 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the A850 grades vs the WX1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Sony WX1

 A850 WX1 
LaunchedApril 2010August 2009More modern by 9 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony WX1 over the Sony A850

 WX1 A850 

Common features in the Sony A850 and Sony WX1

 A850 WX1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Sony A850 vs Sony WX1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Sony A850 offers 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) and the Sony WX1 has specifications of 91mm x 52mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs).

Check the Sony A850 and Sony WX1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the A850 against the WX1.

Sony A850 vs Sony WX1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A850 and WX1 is 54 and 96 respectively.

Sony A850 vs Sony WX1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A850 vs Sony WX1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizes only by going through technical specs. The pic here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A850 and WX1.

As you have seen, both of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The A850 using its bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Sony A850 will produce greater detail using its extra 15MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The fresher A850 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Sony A850 vs Sony WX1 sensor size comparison

Sony A850 vs Sony WX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A850 vs Sony WX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A850
Portrait photography with Sony WX1
72
you can focus manually
fantastic megapixels (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A850
Street photography with Sony WX1
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
no moving screen
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than competition in class (149g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A850 Sports photography factors
Sony WX1 Sports photography factors
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic megapixels (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
environment sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.4")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A850 Travel photography factors
Sony WX1 Travel photography factors
55
environment sealing
fantastic megapixels (25 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
56
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (149 grams)
resolution not great (10MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A850 Landscape photography advice
Sony WX1 Landscape photography advice
73
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic megapixels (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
doesn't have liveview
no Timelapse mode
31
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.4)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A850 Vlogging info
Sony WX1 Vlogging info
9
can't record video
28
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.4)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
heavier than competition in class (149 grams)
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Sony A850 vs Sony WX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A850 and Sony WX1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1
Class Advanced DSLR Ultracompact
Released 2010-04-15 2009-08-06
Physical type Mid-size SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6048 x 4032 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 160
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.4-5.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 922k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Xtra Fine color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 gr (1.97 lbs) 149 gr (0.33 lbs)
Physical dimensions 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") 91 x 52 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FM500H -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Dual Single
Cost at launch $0 $149