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Sony A850 vs Sony WX9

Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX9 front
Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Sony A850 vs Sony WX9 Key Specs

Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Announced April 2010
Sony WX9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • n/ag - 95 x 56 x 20mm
  • Announced January 2011
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Sony A850 vs Sony WX9 Overview

Following is a extended assessment of the Sony A850 versus Sony WX9, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Ultracompact and both are sold by Sony. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the A850 (25MP) and WX9 (16MP) and the A850 (Full frame) and WX9 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The A850 was introduced 8 months earlier than the WX9 so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony WX9 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the A850 matches up against the WX9 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Sony WX9

 A850 WX9 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen resolution922k921kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony WX9 over the Sony A850

 WX9 A850 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011April 2010More modern by 8 months

Common features in the Sony A850 and Sony WX9

 A850 WX9 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Sony A850 vs Sony WX9 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and volume. The Sony A850 has got outside measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") having a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) whilst the Sony WX9 has sizing of 95mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Check the Sony A850 versus Sony WX9 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the A850 versus the WX9.

Sony A850 vs Sony WX9 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the A850 and WX9 is 54 and 99 respectively.

Sony A850 vs Sony WX9 top view buttons comparison

Sony A850 vs Sony WX9 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specifications. The picture here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the A850 and WX9.

To sum up, each of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The A850 with its bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Sony A850 will deliver greater detail using its extra 9 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged A850 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Sony A850 vs Sony WX9 sensor size comparison

Sony A850 vs Sony WX9 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A850 vs Sony WX9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A850 Portrait photography highlights
Sony WX9 Portrait photography highlights
72
focusing manually
great sensor resolution (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
30
good resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A850 Street photography factors
Sony WX9 Street photography factors
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
no articulating screen
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A850
Sports photography with Sony WX9
71
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A850 as a Travel photography camera
Sony WX9 as a Travel photography camera
55
environment sealing
great sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
67
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A850 Landscape photography advice
Sony WX9 Landscape photography advice
73
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
2 card slots
no liveview feature
lack of Time Lapse recording
43
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A850 Vlogging features
Sony WX9 Vlogging features
9
can't shoot video
33
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
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Sony A850 vs Sony WX9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A850 and Sony WX9
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX9
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX9
Type Advanced DSLR Ultracompact
Announced 2010-04-15 2011-01-06
Physical type Mid-size SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6048 x 4032 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-125mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 922k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Xtra Fine color LCD XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 895 grams (1.97 lb) -
Physical dimensions 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") 95 x 56 x 20mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-FM500H NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Two 1
Pricing at release $0 $188