• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony A850 advantages over Olympus Stylus 1s

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 1.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 880 vs 450 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.74x vs 0.58x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.6 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus Stylus 1s advantages over Sony A850

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $2000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
    56 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    10 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    402g vs 850g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • 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
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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

User reviews

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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

Olympus Stylus 1s
Sony A900
  • $549
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus Stylus 1s vs Sony A900

Compared to Nikon P7100

Sony A850
Nikon P7100
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A850 vs Nikon P7100

Olympus Stylus 1s
Nikon P7100
  • $549
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Olympus Stylus 1s vs Nikon P7100

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

Olympus Stylus 1s
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $549
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus Stylus 1s 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

Olympus Stylus 1s
Sony A99
  • $549
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Olympus Stylus 1s vs Sony A99

Compared to Olympus Stylus 1

Sony A850
Olympus Stylus 1
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A850 vs Olympus Stylus 1

Olympus Stylus 1s
Olympus Stylus 1
  • $549
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Olympus Stylus 1s vs Olympus Stylus 1

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