• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
  • Pentax K-5
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Pentax K-7
K-7 vs K-5
Successor:   Pentax K-5 II
K-5 vs K-5 II
General
Model Number: A850 K-5
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1999.95 $1749.95
Street Price: $2,219.00 $799.99
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2010-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.0 oz (850 g) 35.4 oz (1,003 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
5.2 x 3.8 x 2.9 in.
(131 x 97 x 73 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 24.6 16.3
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 372.09mm2 (23.70mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.94 microns 4.81 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 79 82
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.8 23.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 14.1
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,415 1,162
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)
4928 x 3264 (16.1 MP, Other),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP, 3:2),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) JPEG (EXIF 2.21), 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 6.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (25)
1280x720 (30/​25)
640x480 (30/​25)
Movie File Format:   AVI (Motion JPEG)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2)
Lens: n/a smc Pentax 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6AL DA WR
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual):   18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.06x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/5.6 - f/38 (tele)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 52.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
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. SAFOX IX+, 11 point (9 cross type focus point in the center), with light wavelength sensor
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism with 98% coverage, 0.74x mag., 20mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.92x mag., 21.7mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.5 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.74x 0.61x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.74x 0.92x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 19.0x 32.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400 Auto, 100-12800, expandable 80 to 51200
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, daylight, shade, cloudy, fluorescent (D, N, W, L), tungsten, flash, CTE, manual (up to 3 settings), Kelvin temperature (up to 3 settings)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot TTL open-aperture: 77-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   Sensitivity Priority, Shutter and Aperture Priority
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: n/a P-TTL, Red-eye reduction, Slow-speed sync, Rear Curtain Sync. High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync also available with PENTAX dedicated external flash.
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 13.0 m / 42.7 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Depends on lens
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe, PC-sync Hot Shoe, PC Sync socket
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   No UHS support
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) 14-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG)
Movie File Format:   AVI (Motion JPEG)
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes No
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless Optional Wired or IR
Connections (extended): DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack Mini HMDI, DC input, wired remote, 3.5mm external stereo mic jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.40 <0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.50 <0.3
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 23 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   <0.3
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.0 6.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 23 31
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   6.5
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   23
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   6.4
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   22
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.10 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):   1.25 seconds
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):   0.384 seconds
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.154 seconds 0.092 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.21 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.092 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   OVF: Full Autofocus lag, Auto Area (11-points) AF = 0.118s Live View (firmware 1.02): - Full AF PD AF = 1.30s - Full AF CD AF = 1.25s - Prefocused = 0.384s
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 0.6 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   2.2 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 880 shots 740 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary D-LI90; optional D-BG4 Battery Grip
Usable Battery Types: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary D-LI90 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only). Software (CD-ROM) S-SW110
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. New 16.3MP CMOS APS-C sensor with ISOs up to 51200, sensor-shift shake reduction, 1080p HD video at 25fps, 11-point SAFOX IX+ AF system, 100%, 0.92x viewfinder, electronic level with tilt scale, improved in-camera HDR, SDXC compatible with firmware update, weather sealed magnesium allow body on stainless steel chassis.