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Sony DSLR-A850 reviews
You can find here the most interesting reviews / ratings from the well-known expert sites about the Sony DSLR-A850 Camera. Here are the reviewers:
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- 19 November 2010 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 15 April 2010 - |
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- 4 |
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- 15 April 2010 - |
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- 0 |
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- 01 March 2010 - |
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- 0 |
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- 27 January 2010 - |
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- 4 |
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- 13 October 2009 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 29 September 2009 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 27 September 2009 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 08 September 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 27 August 2009 - |
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- 0 |
PhotographyBLOG 's conclusion / rating - 19 November 2010 |
The Sony A850 is virtually identical to the A900 for significantly less money, with the only concessions to price being the slightly smaller viewfinder coverage, slower burst shooting mode and the lack of a remote control in the box. We're a little late in reviewing the A850, but that still doesn't stop it from being an attractively specified and crucially well-priced full-frame DSLR.
The Sony A850 is not simply the highest-resolution DSLR out there it's much more than that. Its viewfinder is one of the best you'll find south of medium format, the build is incredibly robust, the controls are intuitive, with some of them such as the dedicated Histogram button, the metering mode knob or the well-implemented rear joystick being close to pure genius. On top of that, the fact that it is the only full-frame digital SLR with image stabilisation integrated into the body (alongside the A900) makes it a very attractive proposition. Add to this a few useful features such as Manual Exposure Shift (ME Shift), AF Micro Adjustment and Dynamic Range Optimisation, and you have a very well-rounded photographic tool that is not likely to let you down in the field.
In terms of image quality, the A850 is also hard to find fault with. The resolution is jaw-dropping, the dynamic range is fantastic, the tonality is great and the colours are pleasing. You do get quite a bit of noise at ISO 1600 and higher (and sometimes lower as well), but it won't really impact on the final output unless you print those high-ISO shots really, really big, and then scrutinise them from a distance that borders on the ridiculous.
Does this mean that the A850 is the perfect camera then? Of course not there is no such thing as a perfect camera. The auto-focus system, while capable, leaves a lot to be desired. The AF points need to be arranged more sensibly, and all of them need to be a cross type or a double cross type, like the central one in order to be really useful. Some kind of Live View preferably off the main sensor, so that the great optical viewfinder is not compromised would be more than welcome for the sake of all the tripod users out there. We do realise, however, that there are many photographers who will be more than happy with the AF system of the A850 as it is, and won't miss Live View at all which is why we do not hesitate to award this camera our coveted Highly Recommended rating...
PhotographyBLOG's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
DPReview 's conclusion / rating - 15 April 2010 |
All in all, with its tank-like build quality, intuitive user-interface and excellent handling the A850 is, despite (or rather because) of the lack of some 'digital' features such as live view or a movie mode, a no-nonsense photographers' camera that delivers excellent image quality at base ISO but cannot quite keep up with the competition at higher sensitivities. Wildlife and sports photographers would almost certainly prefer better low light performance, faster continuous shooting and autofocus but for resolution-hungry applications in good light, such as landscape or studio photography, the A850 is a more than valid option. This is especially true for those photographers who operate on a tighter budget but do not want to do without the full-frame format...
Complete review here
Steves Digicams 's conclusion / rating - 15 April 2010 |
The Sony A850 is a camera with a wide variety of interesting features, including a capable Autofocus system with class leading resolution and Dynamic Range. We only had a handful of minor complaints, and found that the A850 was fun to use with it's great ergonomics, superb build quality and control layout, combined with features oriented towards professional photographers. The A850 is great choice for virtually any type of photography. With a current MSRP price of only $1999.95, we can easily recommend this camera to dSLR users looking for a camera offering offering the highest possible image quality with a very high resolution output, suitable for all types of photos except perhaps the most demanding conditions encountered during some sports shooting (where you may want a faster frame rate than this model offers). The Sony A850 is a rare bargain for photographers looking to move up to camera offering a very high resolution output (a full frame, 35mm film size sensor producing over 24 Megapixels) with superb image quality, detail and Dynamic Range, combined with a body that has build quality able to withstand the demands of an active professional photographer...
Steves Digicams's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
Digital Camera Review 's conclusion / rating - 01 March 2010 |
Although slightly less capable than its older sibling, the A850 offers just about everything I liked about the A900 including a slew of sophisticated features that make it easy to capture great images. Its 24 megapixel sensor provides plenty of resolution, but be prepared to push all those pixels through your software in post-processing, especially if you're shooting at high ISOs.
It's also not as fast as the A900, but unless you're shooting really fast-action sports, its 3 fps continuous shooting speed should be fine. There are plenty of other options out there if you have a need for speed. While the A850 may not be perfect, it is currently the most affordable option for photographers who want a high resolution, full-frame camera...
Digital Camera Review's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
Cnet 's conclusion / rating - 27 January 2010 |
Offering high performance at a relatively low price, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 is one of the cheapest ways to enter the world of full-frame photography. If you can afford it, you're unlikely to be disappointed...
Complete review here
PhotoReview 's conclusion / rating - 13 October 2009 |
Buy this camera if:
- You want a solidly-built, competitively-priced DSLR camera with a weather-resistant body and professional-standard controls and functions.
- You want the advantages of a 35mm-sized image sensor.
- You want effective body-integrated image stabilisation.
- You are prepared to pay premium prices for Sony's G-series and Carl Zeiss lenses.
Don't buy this camera if:
- You already have several DT lenses you wish to use on a new camera body.
- You require a Live View shooting mode.
- You would like to shoot HD video clips with your DSLR camera...
PhotoReview's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
DigitalTrends 's conclusion / rating - 29 September 2009 |
Its hard to call a $1,999 DSLR a great deal, but the Sony alpha DSLR-A850 is one. Its the cheapest 24.6MP full-frame model available, $700 less than the Sony A900 and six grand less than the 24.5MP Nikon D3x. The camera requires a serious commitment in dollars (our test rig with lens has an MSRP of close to $3,600). It also demands you spend the time learning its intricacies. We had it for just a few weeks and really enjoyed every minute of it...
DigitalTrends's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
LestGoDigital 's conclusion / rating - 27 September 2009 |
The final verdict in our Sony Alpha 900 review was that the A900 offered an excellent basis for developing a new generation of Alpha cameras. This development has not been started by Sony yet, at least not with the A850, but given the current market conditions and economical situation, this seems to be wise. This may disappoint the specification fans, however; technical innovation does not automatically mean progress. The Sony Alpha 850 continues to tread the same path the A900 ventured on before. All in all, the Sony A850 makes high-quality digital photography more accessible to an even broader public than before. And from this, the future Sony Alpha photographer benefits directly. Perhaps the Sony Alpha 850 is the first of a new generation of affordable high resolution full-frame DSLR cameras!...
LestGoDigital's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
Alphamountworld 's conclusion / rating - 08 September 2009 |
Probably best suited for budding professional/professional studio and art photographers, serious enthusiasts wanting to get into full frame or, like me, want to have the best of both worlds with an APS-C and 35mm full frame solution to any of the above. The A850 gives you a resolution advantage for stock photography, which could help a determined photographer earn back the money they paid for the camera. Most of all it should appeal to those who already had thier eye on the A900 but were waiting for a better price point, even those photographers deeply rooted and invested into another DSLR brand.
Part of me is a little bit jealous to be honest. I plunked down for an A900 which cost me quite a bit more overall in comparison to the A850. Do I have regrets? Well.. no not really, I wouldn't say I've got regrets. Now that the expense is behind me, I can say that I do like having the 100% frame view and extra frame rate speed etc. of the A900. I know I use one of those features every shot I take, although 98% coverage is hardly much different. Having been given the choice between both cameras at the same time however, I cannot honestly say which I would have chosen.
In my opinion Sony has built a lineup of cameras that gives its long time users and new users quite a bit to choose from and grow into. The A850 is of no exception. Sony hasn't hit the full professional mark just yet, but give it some time and more marketshare and we could quite possibly see that come to fruition as well (if they aren't already working on that camera). The Alpha A850 is very close to a top tier professional DSLR without stinging your wallet nearly as bad.
In the meantime the resistance to live view and video in the high end cameras hasn't really stalled Sony out of buyers. Most buyers in this class of camera will probably be just fine without either but perhaps missing live view more than video, all said and done. Intelligent preview does a good job overall of stifling a serious complaint against the lack of live view, with the expception of being able to magnify and check focus (which to me is the main advantage of sensor based live view).
We might as well celebrate the more classic still image devices while we still can, at some point live view and video (and more) are probably going to be standards in DSLR design. Either that, or new products will be developed along side DSLRS giving buyers even more choice.
The A850 isn't the camera for every photographer considering market choice and some lack of features, but I'm willing to bet that at this price point it will attract a lot more attention than not, especially to those who prefer a more traditional 35mm format. Simply stated, the Alpha A850 is a real winner, and will be well documented in the future as the first near pro quality full frame DSLR that broke a serious price barrier...
Alphamountworld's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
Imaging Resource 's conclusion / rating - 27 August 2009 |
Sony rocked the full-frame DSLR world when they first announced the A900, bringing unprecedented resolution at a price point under $3,000. In the intervening time, Canon announced a camera with slightly lower resolution and a price point below the original A900 (the 5D Mark II), and Nikon announced a camera with similar resolution but at a much higher price point (the D3x). Now, the Sony A850 decreases a couple of specs (viewfinder coverage and continuous frame rate), but brings the cost down to under $2,000. Isn't competition great?
The Sony A850 is a formidable camera. It's big, which won't work for everyone, but I found it more than bearable with my medium-sized hands, and even my daughter had no trouble hefting the A850 with the (very beefy) 24-70mm f/2.8 attached and firing off a few frames. If the image quality is as good as we're hoping for, the new 28-75mm f/2.8 will reduce both the overall price and bulk of a full-frame body/lens kit significantly.
If you want the most pixels in a small package at the best price on the market, the Sony A850 is where you'll find it. Canon's EOS 5D Mark II beats the Sony A850 in high-ISO capability and (slightly) in size and weight, and offers HD video recording as well, but at a price point that's $700 higher. Nikon's D3x offers the same resolution, but at a cost literally 4x that of the A850. If you're into landscapes or architecture, or need a studio camera with enormous resolution at a relatively budget price, the Sony A850 would make a great choice. It truly ushers in a new era of affordability for full-frame DSLR cameras.
Making full-frame digital photography more affordable than ever before, and at a level of 24.6 megapixels to boot, the Sony A850 is one impressive image maker, and a clear Dave's Pick...
Imaging Resource's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
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