• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • 35.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony A850 advantages over Fujifilm X100

  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 3.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,415 vs 1,001 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 880 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.40 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.74x vs 0.50x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.6 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    23 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Fujifilm X100 advantages over Sony A850

  • Less expensive
    $1200 vs $2000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    53 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    451g vs 850g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.7 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality; Dazzling Hybrid Viewfinder; Traditional mechanical controls; Mostly excellent optical performance.

  • Quirky interface; Manual dials turn easily; Manual focus is too difficult to use; Dramatic lens flare, especially at night.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

Sony A850
Sony A900
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Fujifilm X100
Sony A900
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A850
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2084
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
Fujifilm X100
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $2084
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony A99

Sony A850
Sony A99
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Fujifilm X100
Sony A99
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Fujifilm X100S

Sony A850
Fujifilm X100S
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100S
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Fujifilm X100T

Sony A850
Fujifilm X100T
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100T
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
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