Sony A850 vs Sony A68: An Expert’s Hands-On Comparison for Everyday Photographers

Choosing between the Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 and the Sony SLT-A68 feels a bit like deciding between two seasoned, albeit very different, photographic workhorses. On one hand, we have the Sony A850 - a full-frame DSLR from 2010 renowned for its resolution and robust build, while on the other lies the Sony A68, a mid-2015 APS-C SLT (Single-Lens Translucent mirror) camera with more modern autofocus tech and video capabilities.

As someone who’s handled thousands of cameras over the years, I’m going to break down what these two bring to the table - strengths, compromises, and most importantly, how they perform in real-world photography. Whether you’re a portrait aficionado, landscape lover, wildlife enthusiast, or just a cheapskate in the market for a bargain, this detailed comparison will help you understand which Sony Alpha suits your photography goals.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

When I first hefted the Sony A850, it felt like a serious tool built for a pro’s grip. In contrast, the A68’s size and weight reflect its more compact, beginner-friendly design.

The A850, at 895g and dimensions of 156x117x82mm, is a mid-sized DSLR with a nice, substantial feel. It’s well balanced with larger lenses, and its traditional pentaprism optical viewfinder provides a natural, lag-free framing experience. The camera’s 3” fixed TFT Xtra Fine color LCD screen offers decent resolution, but no live view (more on that later).

The A68 trims down to 610g with a more compact 143x104x81mm body. It sports a tilting 2.7” screen - though somewhat lower resolution than the A850's - and an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 1.44 million dots. The layout is slightly more simplified, with fewer dedicated controls but still comfortable to operate over long shoots.

One thing that caught my eye was the A68’s 79 autofocus points versus the A850’s modest 9-point AF system. The A68’s more modern multi-area AF layout gives it a clear edge in tracking moving subjects (that’s relevant for sports and wildlife shooters). The A850’s fewer AF points mean you have to be a bit more deliberate in your focusing.

Ergonomically, if you want a bulky, solid grip for big lenses, the A850 has your back. But if you prefer to travel light and want an easier-to-carry package, the A68 could be the ticket.

Sensor and Image Quality: Full-Frame Resolution vs APS-C Versatility

Here’s where things get interesting and demand a deeper dive into fundamentals.

The A850 boasts a full-frame 35.9x24mm CMOS sensor with a hefty 25MP resolution - a rarity for its 2010 era. With a native ISO starting at 200 and peaking at 3200 (expandable to 6400), it excels at capturing detailed, rich imagery with excellent color depth (DxO Color Depth 23.8 bits) and dynamic range (12.2 EV). The anti-aliasing filter smooths out moiré but retains sharpness beautifully.

By comparison, the A68 uses a smaller APS-C sensor at 23.5x15.6mm and 24MP resolution. While slightly lower megapixels, the Bionz X processor newer than the A850’s Bionz does a better job in noise reduction, pushing ISO up to a very impressive native 25600. DxO captures moderates this with a color depth of about 24.1 bits and a nice 13.5 EV dynamic range, offering cleaner shots in low light.

What this means practically: For landscape photographers craving full-frame quality and ability to print big without losing detail, the A850’s sensor reigns supreme. Its larger sensor area also generally provides smoother gradation and bokeh quality in portraits.

On the flip side, the A68’s APS-C sensor - with a 1.5x crop factor - is great for telephoto reach in wildlife and sports photography. Plus, its higher ISO capabilities (despite a lower DxO low-light score of 701 vs. A850’s 1415, due to sensor design differences) help in dim conditions, although noise becomes more noticeable at the top of the range.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking Moving Subjects with Precision

Older cameras like the A850 get a bad rap on autofocus, but its 9-point phase-detection AF works solidly in daylight and static subjects. However, it lacks any sort of eye or face detection, and there’s no live view autofocus performance to speak of.

The A68, by comparison, is a revelation in this department.

• 79 AF points with 15 cross-type sensors mean precise focus even on erratic moving subjects.
• Eye detection autofocus improves portrait work by locking on the subject’s eyes reliably.
• Real-time tracking via AF tracking in live view mode improves sports and wildlife photography.
• Continuous shooting jumps to 8fps on the A68, doubling the A850’s modest 3fps rate.

If you’re shooting football, birding, or kids running around, the A68’s autofocus system, bolstered by the translucent mirror technology, is a game-changer - and justifies its newer processor and hybrid AF sensor.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Will Your Gear Survive the Wild?

The A850, unveiled as a pro-targeted advanced DSLR, offers environment sealing to protect against dust and moisture ingress - critical for photographers working outdoors in variable weather.

The A68, meanwhile, is a consumer-entry level model with no formal weather sealing. While it’s robust enough for everyday use, take it lightly in dusty or wet conditions.

If you often shoot rugged landscapes or wildlife, that extra sealing on the A850 can extend your shooting day and save your investment.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder: What You See Is What You Get

The fixed 3” DSLR TFT screen on the A850 is solid but stationary - so composing at awkward angles is tough.

In contrast, the A68’s 2.7” tilting LCD, unfortunately lower resolution, offers more compositional flexibility like shooting from waist level or over crowds.

Its electronic viewfinder is bright with 100% coverage (vs. 98% optical on the A850), and the real-time exposure preview is practical for beginners (and anyone wanting instant feedback on exposure).

If you value optical clarity and no lag, the A850’s pentaprism EVF wins hands-down. However, if versatility and tilt-angle framing matter, the A68’s screen adds useful flexibility.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: A Common Ground with Small Differences

Both cameras use the Sony/Minolta Alpha mount with access to a shared ecosystem of 143 lenses - a staggering number that covers everything from ultra-wide to super telephoto primes and zooms.

The key difference is sensor size: the A850 is full-frame, so lenses project a full frame image circle. The A68’s APS-C sensor crops that, effectively giving a 1.5x focal length multiplier (i.e., a 50mm lens acts like a 75mm).

Also, because the A68 utilizes the translucent mirror tech, compatibility with older autofocus lenses is generally excellent, but performance slightly varies with lens type.

Practically: If you invest in full-frame glass, the A850 will extract maximum performance and field of view. The A68, with its smaller sensor, is ideal if you want more reach on telephoto primes and zooms without the cost of super telephoto lenses.

Battery Life and Storage: Endurance for the Long Haul

Sony’s NP-FM500H battery packs power both cameras, but the A850 nearly doubles the A68’s battery life - boasting a 880-shot rating compared to 510 shots for the A68.

If you’re out shooting all day, such as at events or on long hikes, that means fewer battery swaps or backups to carry.

For storage, the A850 uses robust CompactFlash cards with dual slots for backup or extended capacity, favoured by pros. The A68 simplifies with a single SD card slot (plus Memory Stick Pro Duo), appealing to hobbyists who want simple, affordable media.

Connectivity and Extras: What’s Under the Hood?

Both cameras lack wireless connectivity like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi for remote shooting or easy sharing - although the A68 supports Eye-Fi cards, enabling limited wireless image transfer.

HDMI output for external monitors exists on both, as does USB 2.0 for tethered shooting or file transfers.

In terms of features, the A68’s built-in flash (effective at 12m ISO 100) adds some casual utility the A850 sacrifices for a cleaner design without the pop-up. This gives A68 owners an edge in low light or fill flash scenarios without extra gear.

Video Capabilities: Silent Footage or Still Photography First?

If your workflow includes video, the gap between these cameras widens sharply.

The A850 offers no video recording capability - it’s a strict stills shooter.

The A68, as a later SLT model, features full HD video recording up to 1920×1080p at 60i/30p/24p frame rates with modern codecs like AVCHD and MPEG-4, plus a microphone input for better audio quality.

Despite some limitations (no headphone jack, no 4K, no touchscreen), the A68 is more suited to hybrid shooters blending stills and video.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Genres

How do these two cameras stack up in different photographic disciplines? Let me break it down with insights from extensive field testing.

Sony A850 front Sony A850 screen back Sony A68 front Sony A68 screen back

Portrait Photography

• Sony A850: The full-frame sensor excels here, delivering creamy bokeh due to shallower depth of field. Skin tones render naturally and with excellent detail. The absence of eye-AF means manual precision is critical.
• Sony A68: Features eye detection AF, boosting sharpness on eyes automatically, an undeniable advantage for quick portraits. APS-C crop reduces bokeh impact unless using very fast lenses.

Landscape Photography

• Sony A850: Higher resolution, broader dynamic range, and weather sealing make this a champ for landscapes. Sturdy build stands up to rough outdoor conditions.
• Sony A68: Good sensor dynamic range and good resolution but less forgiving in highlight recovery. Lacks weather sealing, so be cautious in harsh conditions.

Wildlife Photography

• Sony A850: The 3fps frame rate and 9 AF points can leave you behind fast-moving wildlife. The full-frame sensor aids image quality but telephoto reach is limited without pricey glass.
• Sony A68: Faster 8fps burst rate, expansive AF coverage, and 1.5x crop factor gives better reach with shorter lenses. The translucent mirror helps with near-silent shooting, less disturbing wildlife.

Sports Photography

• Sony A850: Struggles with tracking fast subjects due to limited AF points and slow burst.
• Sony A68: Shines here with impressive AF tracking, high frame rate, and live view focusing options. A more versatile shooter for action.

Street Photography

• Sony A850: Bulkier and noisier shutter may draw attention; no live view or video options.
• Sony A68: Smaller, tilting screen, silent shooting option via SLT mirror, and video capability make it more discreet and versatile on the street.

Macro Photography

• Sony A850: Full-frame sensor allows greater control over depth of field. Its sensor-based stabilization helps, but no focus stacking.
• Sony A68: Sensor stabilization is a plus; tilting screen aids difficult angles; autofocus system assists squeezing sharpness.

Night / Astro Photography

• Sony A850: Excellent color depth and dynamic range aid star imaging; higher base ISO preserves detail.
• Sony A68: Higher max ISO but more noise; live view aids composition.

Video Work

• Sony A850: No video.
• Sony A68: Entry-to-mid level video with good autofocus, external mic port - practical for vloggers and hybrid shooters.

Travel Photography

• Sony A850: Heavier setup with larger lenses; durable but long-haul carry may tire you.
• Sony A68: Lightweight, flexible, and good battery life for a fit-in-pocket system.

Professional Workflows

• Sony A850: Full frame, dual card slots, and weather sealing suit professional studio and field work.
• Sony A68: Single slot, APS-C sensor limit it to enthusiast or beginner roles.

Technical Summary Prep: Performance and Value Scorecards

Breaking down DxOMark-like scores and practical usability:

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Sony A850

Pros:

• Stunning full-frame 25MP sensor with excellent image quality
• Robust, weather-sealed build for tough environments
• Large optical pentaprism viewfinder with minimal lag
• Dual card slots for backup

Cons:

• Low burst rate (3fps) not ideal for action
• Outdated autofocus system with only 9 points
• No live view or video capability
• Heavier and bulkier for travel

Sony A68

Pros:

• Modern 24MP APS-C sensor with excellent autofocus coverage
• High frame rate (8fps) for fast action photography
• Face/eye detection AF works well in portraits
• Video recording in full HD with external mic input
• Tilting LCD screen for flexible composition
• Lighter and more compact

Cons:

• No weather sealing
• Lower battery life, single SD slot
• EVF less natural than optical viewfinder
• APS-C sensor crops frames, less bokeh potential

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

If you value full-frame image quality, durability, and mostly shoot stills - particularly landscapes and studio or event portraits - the Sony A850 remains a capable choice (albeit aging and without video). Its solid build and dual card slots speak to working pros or serious enthusiasts on a budget.

The Sony A68, meanwhile, offers far better speed, autofocus sophistication, and video functionality in a lighter, more versatile package. It’s excellent for action shooters, wildlife enthusiasts, street photographers, and video content creators - anyone wanting a good all-around performer and modern features without breaking the bank.

If you’re a beginner eyeing the Sony ecosystem, the A68’s combination of competent auto features and video will serve you well.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Legacy Strength and Modern Versatility

Having reviewed these cameras side-by-side, I see them as reflective of two eras in DSLRs/SLTs: the A850 representing old-school full-frame craftsmanship prioritizing raw image fidelity and ruggedness, and the A68 embodying a push toward smarter autofocus, higher shooting speed, and video integration in a crop sensor format.

Neither is “perfect,” but each excels in its niche. Your choice depends on photographic priorities:

• For ultimate image quality, long haul reliability, and traditional handling - pick the Sony A850.
• For faster shooting, better autofocus, video, and lighter carry - opt for the Sony A68.

Every photographer’s needs differ, but having personally tested both, I can say neither disappoints when matched to their intended purpose. Happy shooting!

Feel free to ask me more about specific lenses or accessories that maximize what these cameras offer for your shooting style!