• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 30.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 40,000

Buy From

Differences

Sony A850 advantages over Canon EOS R

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 2.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 880 vs 370 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility

Canon EOS R advantages over Sony A850

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,742 vs 1,415 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.5 vs 12.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    6 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
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    30.3 vs 24.6 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    126 vs 23 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 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
  • 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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Very good overall image quality; Good dynamic range & very good high ISO performance; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF performance; Sharp native lenses; Great performance with adapted optics; Compact design; Fully articulating LCD.

  • Sensor performance lags behind competition; No In-Body Image Stabilization; Sluggish burst speed with C-AF; Mediocre battery life; No 4Kp60; 1.7x 4K crop; Ergonomics could be better.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

Sony A850
Sony A900
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Canon EOS R
Sony A900
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup

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
Canon EOS R
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony A99

Sony A850
Sony A99
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Canon EOS R
Sony A99
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Nikon Z7

Sony A850
Nikon Z7
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Canon EOS R
Nikon Z7
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup

Compared to Nikon Z6

Sony A850
Nikon Z6
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Canon EOS R
Nikon Z6
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1396
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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