• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony A850 advantages over Olympus E-P7

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 3.36 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More pixels
    24.6 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility

Olympus E-P7 advantages over Sony A850

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    337g vs 850g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.7 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited 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
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

Sony A850
Sony A900
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Olympus E-P7
Sony A900
  • $0
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony A850
Nikon D800
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Olympus E-P7
Nikon D800
  • $0
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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
Olympus E-P7
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $0
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon D800E

Sony A850
Nikon D800E
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
Olympus E-P7
Nikon D800E
  • $0
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony A99

Sony A850
Sony A99
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-P7
Sony A99
  • $0
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Compare Other Cameras?