Sony A850 vs Sony A77: An Expert Comparison to Guide Your Next Camera Upgrade

Choosing the right camera can be a daunting task, especially when options straddle different technologies and generations. Here, we put two significant Sony models head-to-head: the Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 – a 2010 full-frame DSLR icon – and the Sony SLT-A77, a groundbreaking mid-size camera from 2011 featuring translucent mirror technology and an APS-C sensor. Drawing upon extensive hands-on testing experience, we’ll delve deep into their specifications, real-world performance, and suitability across diverse photography genres. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clearer grasp of which Sony powerhouse could complement your creative journey.

Unveiling the Physical Differences: Size and Ergonomics in Hand

Let’s start by feeling these cameras in your hands. The A850, as a full-frame DSLR, is notably larger and heavier compared to the A77 with its APS-C-sized body.

In direct handling, the A850’s heft projects solidity but can be tiring during long outings or travel. On the other hand, the A77 is more compact and noticeably lighter, which benefits street and travel photographers prioritizing portability. The A850’s larger grip accommodates bigger hands better, while the A77’s ergonomic design includes a deeper grip groove improving overall handling comfort.

Driving Your Creativity: Comparative Design and Control Layout

Sony’s evolutionary control philosophy shines when comparing the top plates of these two cameras.

The A850 sticks to conventional DSLR styling, focusing on tactile dials and dedicated exposure controls. It offers a familiar experience if you're transitioning from earlier Minolta or traditional DSLRs.

Meanwhile, the A77 incorporates a more modern control layout suited for speed and live view use:

• Live View-Friendly Buttons: Since the A77 supports live view and video, it integrates buttons like AF mode and live view toggle that the A850 lacks.
• Top LCD Screen: Both have a top LCD display for quick info, but the A77 presents more detailed feedback due to advanced electronics.
• Customizable Buttons: The A77 adds programmable buttons to speed up workflows, an advantage for professionals who tailor camera controls.

If you value fast access to settings and a live view environment, the A77 has an edge here.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Understanding sensor technology is crucial as it fundamentally shapes image quality. These two cameras are at different technological points - full-frame versus APS-C, older CMOS versus newer CMOS.

Sensor Insights

• Sony A850: Boasts a large 35mm full-frame sensor, producing images with superior dynamic range (12.2 EV) and deeper color depth (23.8 bits). This results in richer tonality and cleaner high ISO images up to ISO 3200 native.
• Sony A77: Although sporting a smaller APS-C sensor, the A77’s newer sensor design and image processor extend ISO capability impressively up to ISO 16,000 native. Dynamic range is excellent at 13.2 EV, slightly surpassing A850 on paper, thanks to more modern electronics.

In practical tests, the A850’s full-frame sensor shines in landscape and studio photography, producing natural skin tones and superior bokeh in portraits. The A77, with its higher ISO ceiling and faster readout, excels in action or low-light scenarios despite the smaller sensor area.

LCD and Viewfinder: Seeing Your Image Clearly

Your framing tools are vital; the A850 and A77 offer distinctive experiences here.

Key Differences

• Sony A850: The fixed screen lacks touch or live view, a limitation if you prefer composing away from the eye. The optical viewfinder is bright and natural but offers 98% frame coverage, so slight cropping can occur.
• Sony A77: Its articulated LCD is a strong asset for video and macro photographers, allowing flexible angles for creativity. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% frame coverage offers precise framing and real-time exposure previews, but may take some adjustment if you're used to optical finders.

Using an EVF means the A77 shows you your exposure, white balance, and depth of field before you shoot, which is invaluable for critical workflows - especially for cinematographers and event shooters.

Autofocus Systems and Speed: Tracking Your Moment

Autofocus technology is often a deciding factor depending on your photography subjects. The A850 and A77 deploy quite different AF approaches:

While the A850’s 9-point AF is solid for its era, it lacks modern face or eye detection and suffers slower focus in challenging light. The A77’s hybrid AF system incorporates 19 points, including 11 cross-types, drastically improving focus accuracy and speed. The inclusion of eye-detection AF benefits portrait shooters aiming for tack-sharp eyes.

The A77’s capability to shoot 12 frames per second at full resolution with continuous autofocus makes it an excellent choice for sports and wildlife where decisive action must be captured fluidly.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Handling Durability

Both cameras employ magnesium alloy corps with environmental sealing, yet there are nuances important to professionals shooting in harsh conditions.

• Sony A850: Larger body offers a more robust feel with protection against dust and moisture. Ideal for serious outdoor landscape or wedding photography where reliability is paramount.
• Sony A77: Also sealed against splashes and dust with good durability, but its smaller size and lighter weight can compromise perceived ruggedness slightly.

Both models feature standard shutter speeds up to 1/8000, pleasing for action shooters who want to balance apertures in bright scenes.

Leveraging the Lens Ecosystem

You gain full support for Sony/Minolta Alpha mount lenses with both cameras. The A850 uses the same mount with a 1.0x focal length multiplier (full-frame), while the A77’s APS-C sensor applies a 1.5x crop factor.

Key takeaways:

• A850: Perfect for full-frame lenses, giving the widest field of view and optical advantages, excellent for landscape and portrait photographers who value image quality and shallow depth of field.
• A77: APS-C sensor introduces a crop factor, effectively lengthening telephoto lenses. Great for wildlife or sports photography, where extra reach matters, but not optimal for ultra-wide-angle shots.

Sony’s lens lineup is rich, featuring 143 native lenses compatible across both cameras, ranging from primes to super-telephotos. Your choice depends more on whether you want full-frame or APS-C field of view.

Battery Life and Storage Approaches

The A850’s older generation sensor and less power-hungry design delivers nearly double the number of shots per charge compared to the A77. If you often shoot long sessions or in remote locations, this longevity is a practical advantage.

The A77 supports modern SD cards, offering more flexibility and higher speeds, especially beneficial when shooting continuous bursts or videos.

Video Capabilities: A New Frontier for Hybrid Shooters

Video is a specialized domain where the A77 makes marked gains over the A850, which lacks video entirely.

For vloggers and hybrid photographers:

• The A77 allows Full HD video with frame rates supporting cinematic (24p) and smooth (60p) motion.
• It has a microphone port for external audio, critical for professional sound quality.
• The articulated screen aids composing shots from tricky angles.

The A850, lacking video, solely serves still image capture, making the A77 a more versatile offering in the modern multimedia creator’s kit.

Real-World Photography Tests: How Do They Perform Across Genres?

Sony A850 front Sony A850 screen back Sony A77 front Sony A77 screen back

Portrait Photography

• A850: Larger sensor offers creamy bokeh and excellent skin-tone reproduction. The 9-point AF is sufficient for studio and controlled environments but can struggle with fast-moving subjects.
• A77: Eye-detection AF and higher AF point count provide sharper eye focus in candid portraits. The crop sensor requires working a bit more with lens choice for shallow depth.

Landscape Photography

• A850: Superior dynamic range and resolution create images with excellent detail retention in shadows and highlights. Weather sealing supports rugged outdoor shoots.
• A77: Slightly less dynamic range, but improved ISO range helps in low-light dawn or dusk scenarios.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• A850: Modest burst rate of 3 fps limits capturing fast action. AF system may lag.
• A77: 12 fps burst with hybrid AF is a game changer here. Crop factor extends telephoto reach, and robust AF points improve action tracking.

Street and Travel Photography

• A850: Bulkier and heavier making it less ideal for discreet shooting.
• A77: Compact, lighter body and quiet shutter operation better suit urban or travel shooters.

Macro and Night/Astro Photography

• A850: Benefits from full-frame sensor noise characteristics; excellent low ISO quality.
• A77: Higher maximum ISO aids astro work, but crop sensor means less light-gathering per pixel.

Assessing Overall Performance and Value

Scores synthesized from DxOMark and hands-on experience:

• Sony A850: Overall Score 79 – Excels in image quality and resolution.
• Sony A77: Overall Score 78 – Excels in speed, video, and autofocus.

Connectivity and Modern Features

The A77’s built-in GPS helps embed location data, useful for travel photographers and geo-tagging. The Eye-Fi compatibility allows wireless image transfer but lacks Bluetooth or Wi-Fi found in later models.

Which Should You Choose?

Final Thoughts: Standing at the Crossroads of Sony’s DSLR Evolution

Both the Sony A850 and A77 showcase pivotal moments in camera technology progression - the former representing a final generation traditional full-frame DSLR, the latter ushering in translucent mirror innovation combined with hybrid AF and video evolution.

If breathtaking full-frame image quality and proven durability matter most, you’ll appreciate the A850’s virtues. Conversely, if your creative goals include fast action, video work, and a lighter body, the A77 answers those calls gracefully.

Our advice? If possible, visit a camera store and get hands-on with both. Frame shots through their viewfinders, feel the controls, and see which aligns with your style. And whether you go full-frame or APS-C, both options are gateways to creating stunning images that tell your story.

Ready to explore? Check out the right lenses, accessories, and get started on your next photographic adventures with confidence.

We hope this detailed comparison has illuminated the strengths, weaknesses, and distinctive features of these Sony classics to help you choose the camera best suited for your creative expression.