• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 21.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200

Buy From

Differences

Canon 5D Mark II advantages over Sony A850

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,815 vs 1,415 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More AF points
    15 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.9 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    75 vs 23 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A850 advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More pixels
    24.6 vs 21.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Canon 5D Mark II
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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 24-105mm f/4 lens
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Buy the Sony A850

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

Canon 5D Mark II
Sony A900
  • $1095
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More pixels

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Sony A900

Sony A850
Sony A900
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony A850 vs Sony A900

Compared to Nikon D3X

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D3X
  • $1095
  • 35mm
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More dynamic range

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D3X

Sony A850
Nikon D3X
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A850 vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1095
  • 35mm
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A850
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A850 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D600
  • $1095
  • 35mm
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D600

Sony A850
Nikon D600
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A850 vs Nikon D600

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 6D
  • $1095
  • 35mm
  • Less shutter lag
  • More AF points
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 6D

Sony A850
Canon 6D
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Less shutter lag
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony A850 vs Canon 6D

Compare Other Cameras?