• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 32.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A850 advantages over Canon 90D

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 3.23 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.74x vs 0.59x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility

Canon 90D advantages over Sony A850

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1300 vs 880 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    45 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Newer
    5 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    32.5 vs 24.6 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • More AF points
    45 vs 9
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    57 vs 23 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

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Buy the Sony A850

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Buy the Canon 90D
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • KIt with 18-135mm Lens
  • KIt with 18-55mm Lens
All 90D Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Highest resolution Canon APS-C camera yet; Great image quality; Faster 10fps burst shooting; Very fast autofocus; Dual Pixel CMOS AF in Live View; 4K video; 1080p120 slow-mo video.

  • Low-pass filter reduces fine detail from high-res sensor; High ISO performance isn't as good as some rival cameras; Video recording limited to 29:59.

  • Read our Canon 90D Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

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

Compare Sony A850 vs Sony A900

Canon 90D
Sony A900
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 90D vs Sony A900

Compared to 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

Canon 90D
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Sony A99

Sony A850
Sony A99
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony A850 vs Sony A99

Canon 90D
Sony A99
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon 90D vs Sony A99

Compared to Canon 80D

Sony A850
Canon 80D
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A850 vs Canon 80D

Canon 90D
Canon 80D
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $935
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Canon 80D

Compared to Nikon D7500

Sony A850
Nikon D7500
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A850 vs Nikon D7500

Canon 90D
Nikon D7500
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $797
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 90D vs Nikon D7500

Compare Other Cameras?