Sony A850 vs Sony A35

Below, we will be reviewing the Sony A850 versus Sony A35, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both manufactured by Sony. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the A850 (25MP) and A35 (16MP) and the A850 (Full frame) and A35 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The A850 was released 17 months prior to the A35 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A35 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick summary of how the A850 scores against the A35 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 & Sony SLT-A35. The complete galleries are viewable at Sony A850 Gallery & Sony A35 Gallery.

When you are aiming to carry around your camera, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Sony A850 has got exterior measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) whilst the Sony A35 has proportions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") with a weight of 415 grams (0.91 lbs).

Check out the Sony A850 versus Sony A35 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the A850 against the A35.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the A850 and A35 is 54 and 69 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes merely by checking technical specs. The picture underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the A850 and A35.

As you have seen, the two cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The A850 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Sony A850 will resolve more detail as a result of its extra 9MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged A850 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.