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Sony A850 vs YI M1

Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
 
YI M1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
59
Features
66
Overall
61

Sony A850 vs YI M1 Key Specs

Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Released April 2010
YI M1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 350g - 114 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced September 2016
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Sony A850 vs YI M1 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Sony A850 versus YI M1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Sony and YI. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the A850 (25MP) and M1 (20MP) and the A850 (Full frame) and M1 (Four Thirds) boast different sensor sizing.

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The A850 was announced 7 years earlier than the M1 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony A850 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the YI M1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summary of how the A850 scores versus the M1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the YI M1

 A850 M1 

Reasons to pick YI M1 over the Sony A850

 M1 A850 
IntroducedSeptember 2016April 2010More modern by 78 months
Screen resolution1040k922kCrisper screen (+118k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A850 and YI M1

 A850 M1 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Sony A850 vs YI M1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony A850 features exterior dimensions 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 YI M1 has dimensions of 114mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 350 grams (0.77 lbs).

See the Sony A850 versus YI M1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the A850 against the M1.

Sony A850 vs YI M1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the A850 and M1 is 54 and 87 respectively.

Sony A850 vs YI M1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A850 vs YI M1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes just by checking technical specs. The pic here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the A850 and M1.

As you have seen, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The A850 having a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Sony A850 will resolve more detail with its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged A850 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony A850 vs YI M1 sensor size comparison

Sony A850 vs YI M1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A850 vs YI M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A850 Portrait photography information
YI M1 Portrait photography information
72
has manual focus
high resolution (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
75
has manual focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony A850 Street photography info
YI M1 Street photography info
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
screen does not articulate
73
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
includes focus by touch
good high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A850 as a Sports photography camera
YI M1 as a Sports photography camera
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
high resolution (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
54
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
better than average battery pack (450 shots)
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A850 Travel photography advice
YI M1 Travel photography advice
55
weather proof
high resolution (25MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
78
better than average battery pack (450 shots)
connects via bluetooth
includes focus by touch
MP count decent (20MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A850
Landscape photography with YI M1
73
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
high resolution (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
does not have liveview
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
76
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (450 shots)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A850 as a Vlogging camera
YI M1 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
33
built-in touchscreen
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone jack
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Sony A850 vs YI M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A850 and YI M1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850YI M1
General Information
Brand Sony YI
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 YI M1
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2010-04-15 2016-09-19
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6048 x 4032 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 81
Lens
Lens mount Sony/Minolta Alpha Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 143 107
Focal length multiplier 1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 922 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Xtra Fine color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Red-Eye Slow
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 75 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC
Highest video resolution None 4096x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 895 gr (1.97 lbs) 350 gr (0.77 lbs)
Physical dimensions 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") 114 x 64 x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 1415 not tested
Other
Battery life 880 photos 450 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FM500H -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Dual Single
Launch pricing $0 $320