• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
  • Nikon J3
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Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A850 J3
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1999.95 $599.95
Street Price: $2,219.00 $617.00
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2013-02-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.0 oz (850 g) 12.7 oz (359 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
4.0 x 2.4 x 1.1 in.
(101 x 61 x 29 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Aptina
Effective Megapixels: 24.6 14.2
Sensor Format: 35mm 1 inch
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 116.16mm2 (13.20mm x 8.80mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.94 microns 2.86 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 2.7x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 79 52
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.8 20.4
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 11.0
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,415 420
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 6048 x 4032 (24.4 MP, 3:2),
6048 x 3408 (20.6 MP, Other),
4400 x 2936 (12.9 MP, 3:2),
4400 x 2472 (10.9 MP, 16:9),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2),
2896 x 1928 (5.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 1704 (5.2 MP, Other),
1984 x 1320 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2304 x 1536 (3.5 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) JPEG (Exif 2.3), 12-bit NEF RAW, RAW+JPG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 60.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i/​30p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x240 (400p)
320x120 (1200p)
Movie File Format:   MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVC with AAC sound
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Nikon 1
Lens: n/a 1 Nikkor 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 VR
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27 - 81mm
Focal Length (actual):   10 - 30mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.00x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 (W) / f/5.6 (T) - f/16
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   20 cm to Infinity
7.9 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 40.5mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection with 10 assist points, center dual-cross at f/2.8. Hybrid autofocus (phase detection/contrast-detect AF); Single-point (135 focus areas, center 73 support phase-detect), auto-area (41 focus areas), subject tracking
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism with 98% coverage, 0.74x mag., 20mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.74x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.74x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 921,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 19.0x  
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 6400
Minimum ISO (native): 200 160
ISO Settings: Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400 Auto ISO, 160 - 6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temperature from 2,500K to 9,900K, Custom (3) Auto, incandescent, fluorescent, direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade, underwater, preset manual, all except preset manual with fine tuning
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/16000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot Matrix, Center-weighted (4.5mm), Spot (2mm)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   New Creative Mode includes Easy Panorama, Selective Color, Miniature, Soft, Night Landscape, Backlighting and Night Portrait.
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 5, 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: n/a Fill flash, slow sync, red-eye reduction, slow sync with red-eye reduction, rear-curtain sync, rear curtain with slow sync
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 5.0 m / 16.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Lens dependent.
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/60
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -3 to +1 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe, PC-sync n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) 12-bit NEF RAW, RAW+JPG
Movie File Format:   MOV H.264/MPEG-4 AVC with AAC sound
Included Memory:   0.0 MB
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless  
Connections (extended): DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack HDMI out (Type C, Mini)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.40  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.50  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 23  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.0 60.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 23  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.154 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 880 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary EN-EL20
Usable Battery Types: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL20 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only). ViewNX 2 / Short Movie Creator CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000Pro/XP/Vista; Mac OS X (v 10.1.3+)  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Cost reduced Sony A900. Smaller viewfinder (98% vs 100%), slower burst mode (3 fps vs 5), wireless remote not included. Available in White, Black, Silver, Burgundy and Beige.