• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 1/2 inch 30.7mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony A850 advantages over Fujifilm HS30EXR

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1/2 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 1.39 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 880 vs 600 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    81 mm vs 126 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    24.6 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Fujifilm HS30EXR advantages over Sony A850

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $2000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A850

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm HS30EXR

Review Excerpt

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

Fujifilm HS30EXR
Sony A900
  • $468
  • 1/2 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Fujifilm HS30EXR vs Sony A900

Compared to Fujifilm HS20EXR

Sony A850
Fujifilm HS20EXR
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $289
  • 1/2 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A850 vs Fujifilm HS20EXR

Fujifilm HS30EXR
Fujifilm HS20EXR
  • $468
  • 1/2 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $289
  • 1/2 inch
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Fujifilm HS30EXR vs Fujifilm HS20EXR

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

Fujifilm HS30EXR
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $468
  • 1/2 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Fujifilm HS30EXR 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

Fujifilm HS30EXR
Sony A99
  • $468
  • 1/2 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Fujifilm HS30EXR vs Sony A99

Compared to Fujifilm HS35EXR

Sony A850
Fujifilm HS35EXR
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $778
  • 1/2 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A850 vs Fujifilm HS35EXR

Fujifilm HS30EXR
Fujifilm HS35EXR
  • $468
  • 1/2 inch
  • $778
  • 1/2 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Fujifilm HS30EXR vs Fujifilm HS35EXR

Compare Other Cameras?