Exploring the Sony A850 and A57: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

When it comes to choosing the right Sony camera for your photography journey, understanding the real-world strengths and trade-offs makes all the difference. Today, we delve into two distinct but historically significant models: the Sony Alpha DSLR-A850, a 2010 full-frame veteran aimed at advanced users, and the Sony SLT-A57, a 2012 entry-level DSLR that brought innovative technology and video capabilities to budget-conscious creators. Both share the Sony/Minolta Alpha lens mount but diverge meaningfully in sensor size, features, and design philosophy.

Drawing from extensive experience testing hundreds of cameras - including both DSLRs and SLTs - this comprehensive analysis will help you answer: How do these two cameras compare across photography disciplines, and which one deserves your investment?

Getting Comfortable With the Cameras: Size, Handling, and Build

Ergonomics factor hugely into your shooting experience. The Sony A850 is a mid-size DSLR with a rugged magnesium alloy body and weather sealing correct for serious outdoor use. It weighs 895g and measures 156 x 117 x 82 mm, reflecting a robust heft typical of full-frame cameras of its era. The grip is substantial and well-contoured - ideal for photographers who prioritize stability for landscapes and studio shoots.

The Sony A57, meanwhile, is a compact SLR weighing only 618g with dimensions of 132 x 98 x 81 mm - small enough for travel and street photography. Its plastic build is lighter but less weather resistant, lacking the dust and moisture sealing of the A850. The fully articulated 3-inch screen and lighter footprint will particularly appeal to vloggers and casual shooters.

Handling contrast:

The more robust build and weather resistance of the A850 cater well to professionals who shoot outdoors or in challenging environments. In contrast, the A57’s compactness wins for mobility and casual daily photography.

Controls and User Interface: Mastering Your Craft With Intuitive Design

The surface design plays a big role when shooting under pressure. The A850’s traditional DSLR control layout features dedicated dials for ISO, drive modes, and exposure compensation. While missing illuminated buttons, its physical controls feel positive and precise, befitting studio portraits, landscapes, and deliberate shooting styles.

In contrast, the A57 pushes modernity with an electronic viewfinder and simplified controls, blending DSLR design with some mirrorless ergonomics. It offers fewer dedicated dials but compensates with an intuitive menu system and live view options. Its articulating screen opens creative angles for macro and video.

Neither camera equips a touchscreen, an omission that shows their respective generation gaps.

Key distinctions:

• A850: Optical pentaprism viewfinder with ~98% coverage, magnification 0.74x
• A57: Electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage, 1440 px resolution, magnification 0.7x

The EVF on the A57 provides a real-time exposure preview, white balance simulation, and focus peaking - features unavailable on the optical viewfinder A850. This makes the A57 friendly to those new to manual settings.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Full Frame vs. APS-C Realities

At the heart of any camera is the sensor. The A850 boasts a full-frame 24.6MP CMOS sensor measuring 35.9 x 24 mm, offering exceptional image quality, especially in low light and dynamic range. Its sensor area is 861.6 mm², more than twice the A57’s sensor size.

The A57 uses a 16MP APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm) CMOS sensor with a 1.5x crop factor. Although smaller, it incorporates advancements in processing and phase detection autofocus (AF) technology absent in the A850.

Here’s a technical snapshot:

Image quality insights:

• The A850’s larger sensor and higher resolution translate to richer detail and finer tonal gradients, essential for landscape and studio work.
• The A57’s smaller sensor has a slight edge in dynamic range, thanks to newer sensor electronics and BIONZ processor improvements.
• The A850 holds an advantage in high ISO noise at mid sensitivity (ISO 800-1600), important for low-light portraits and event shooting.
• The A57 extends ISO sensitivity much higher, up to 25600, which is useful for very dim scenarios but with noticeable noise.

For most enthusiasts, the visual difference in raw image quality - especially color depth and detail at base ISO - is evident, with the A850 favored for professional output and medium-large prints.

Viewing and Composing: LCD Screen and Viewfinder Experiences

Your shooting workflow depends heavily on composition feedback:

• The Sony A850’s fixed 3-inch TFT Xtra Fine LCD with 922k dots delivers sharp image review but lacks articulation or touch.
• The A57’s fully articulated 3-inch Xtra Fine TFT with TruBlack technology and 921k dots enables flexible framing from unusual angles and selfie-friendly operation, important for street photographers and vloggers.

The articulated design of the A57 is a modern advantage, supporting macro close-ups and video blogging without awkward body twists. The A850’s fixed screen and traditional pentaprism are perfect for those preferring the classic DSLR experience without live view.

Autofocus Performance: Precision Versus Speed

Autofocus is mission-critical for all shooting disciplines. Here’s how these two handle focus:

Sony A850:

• 9 phase-detection AF points (number of cross-type points unspecified)
• No face or eye detection
• Focus tracking: single autofocus continuous AF supported, no AF tracking
• No live view AF capabilities

The A850’s autofocus system is accurate but slower and more manual compared to modern standards. It excels in controlled environments - studios, portraits, and landscapes.

Sony A57:

• 15 phase-detection AF points with 3 cross-type points
• Supports continuous AF with tracking, face detection in live view
• Hybrid AF system incorporating fast phase detection in Live View and video modes

This advanced AF supports burst shooting at 12 fps, a significant advantage for wildlife and sports photographers. It provides reliable tracking of moving subjects and face detection assist for portraits.

Practical implications:

• Wildlife and sports photographers will appreciate the A57’s speed and predictive AF capabilities.
• Portrait and landscape shooters working at slower paces can leverage the A850’s full-frame sensor for image quality supremacy.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds

Sony A850 max burst: 3 fps at full resolution Sony A57 max burst: 12 fps

Further specs:

The A57’s 12 fps burst at full resolution is a highlight for action photography, sports, or wildlife - something the A850 cannot match due to its slower 3 fps. The A850’s faster maximum shutter speed (1/8000 vs. 1/4000) is beneficial for shooting bright scenes with wide apertures.

Shooting Disciplines: Which Camera Wins Where?

To bring this all together, let's see how each camera fares in key photography genres:

Sony A850 front Sony A850 screen back Sony A57 front Sony A57 screen back

In our side-by-side shooting tests, the A850’s image detail and tonal fidelity clearly surpass the A57 in RAW captures, especially noticeable in portrait skin tones and landscape textures. However, the A57’s speed, video, and AF advancements bring practical benefits for casual and action shooting.

Video Capabilities: A Clear Winner for Modern Creators

The A850 lacks any video recording features, reflecting DSLR norms in 2010. The A57 incorporates Full HD 1080p video (60p/24p) with clean panning and autofocus during recording. It supports external microphones, an articulating screen perfect for vlogging, and HDMI output.

For photographers looking to explore hybrid stills + video workflows or YouTube content, the A57 is clearly the superior tool.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

The A850 offers longer battery endurance and dual card slots for professional backup. Conversely, the A57 supports wireless image transfer via Eye-Fi cards but lacks dual slots, which could be limiting for heavy shooters.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both cameras utilize the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount with support for an extensive library of 143 lens models ranging from wide-angle primes to super-telephoto zooms. However:

• A850's full-frame sensor fully exploits full-frame lenses.
• A57’s APS-C sensor crops lens focal lengths by 1.5x, providing extra reach for telephoto but less wide-angle coverage.

If you aim to leverage your lenses fully and require professional-level optics, the A850 opens up the full-frame landscape, while the A57 is suited for APS-C optimized glass and budget-friendly setups.

Performance Scores Overview and What They Mean for You

DxOMark scoring results rank the cameras as follows:

• Sony A850: Overall 79, Color Depth 23.8 bits, Dynamic Range 12.2 EV, Low-light ISO 1415
• Sony A57: Overall 75, Color Depth 23.4 bits, Dynamic Range 13 EV, Low-light ISO 785

While the A850 slightly edges out in color fidelity and low-light handling, the A57’s dynamic range advantage reflects sensor technology improvements despite smaller size.

Summing Up by Use Case: Matching Camera to Your Needs

Honest Assessment: Weighing Strengths and Weaknesses

Sony A850 Strengths

• Full-frame sensor delivers professional-quality images with outstanding detail and color fidelity
• Durable magnesium alloy body with weather sealing increases reliability outdoors
• Longer battery life and dual card slots support professional workflows
• Optical pentaprism viewfinder offers a natural, lag-free view

Sony A850 Weaknesses

• No video functionality limits hybrid use
• Slow 3 fps burst and limited AF tracking restrict action shooting
• Fixed LCD screen lacks articulation and touch features
• Older design without live view autofocus or face detection

Sony A57 Strengths

• Fast autofocus system with 15 points and live view face detection
• 12 fps burst enables excellent capture of fast-moving subjects
• Full HD video with external mic support and articulating LCD ideal for content creators
• Lighter and more compact for travel and street shooting

Sony A57 Weaknesses

• Smaller APS-C sensor means lower image resolution and reduced shallow depth of field
• Plastic body lacks weather sealing and robust durability
• Single card slot limits professional redundancy
• Shorter battery life than A850

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Selecting between the Sony A850 and A57 comes down to your priorities:

• If image quality, robustness, and traditional photography are paramount, especially for portrait and landscape, the Sony A850 remains a compelling choice. Its full-frame sensor and solid build provide longevity for serious photo enthusiasts and semi-pros. Consider pairing it with quality prime lenses to maximize its potential.

• If you crave speed, versatility, video capabilities, and a lightweight body for travel, street, wildlife, or hybrid shooting, the Sony A57 is a savvy pick. It blends emerging mirrorless-inspired tech in an affordable package, perfect for those growing their craft and content.

Neither camera perfectly suits all disciplines, so weigh your creative vision and shooting style carefully. Trying them out hands-on, if possible, will reveal which suits your workflow best.

Ready to Explore Further?

• Check out local gear stores or rent both models to understand their feel in your hands.
• Invest in quality lenses tailored to your genre to unlock ultimate potential.
• Experiment with RAW post-processing to fully appreciate sensor capabilities.
• Get started with video on the A57 and discover new creative avenues.

Photography is a journey - whether you pursue rich stills with the A850’s sensor or dynamic hybrid content with the A57. With knowledge, practice, and the right tool, your creative vision will flourish.

Happy shooting!