• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 110.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
  • Pentax Optio RS1500
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A850 RS1500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Ultra Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1999.95 $149.95
Street Price: $2,219.00 $89.99
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2011-04-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.0 oz (850 g) 4.5 oz (128 g)
includes batteries
Size: 6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
3.6 x 2.2 x 0.9 in.
(91 x 56 x 23 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CCD
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 24.6 14.0
Sensor Format: 35mm 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.94 microns 1.44 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 4:3, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 79  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.8  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,415  
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)
4288 x 3216 (13.8 MP, 4:3),
4224 x 2376 (10.0 MP, 16:9),
3072 x 2304 (7.1 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 n/a
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (30)
1280x720 (15)
640x480 (30)
640x480 (15)
320x240 (30)
320x240 (15)
Movie File Format:   AVI (Motion JPEG)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) n/a
Lens: n/a Pentax Zoom; 6 elements in 5 groups, 3 aspheric
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   28 - 110mm
Focal Length (actual):   4.9 - 19.6mm
Zoom Ratio:   4.00x
Aperture Range:   f/3.2 (W) / f/5.9 (T) - ???
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   40 cm to Infinity
15.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   8 - 50 cm
3.1 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to approx. 6.7x
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. Contrast Detection; 3-point AF, Spot AF, Auto tracking AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes No
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 230,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 19.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200  
Minimum ISO (native): 200  
ISO Settings: Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400 Auto: 100-800, Digital SR 100-6400 (ISO 3200-6400 at 5M) Manual: 100-6400 (ISO 3200-6400 at 5M)
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, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Manual
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/2000 - 4 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot TTL Multi-segment
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes No
Shutter Priority: Yes No
Full Manual Exposure: Yes No
Creative Exposure Modes:   Portrait, Night Scene Portrait, Night Scene, Movie, Landscape, Blue Sky, Sunset, Flower, Sport, Pet, Digital SR (ISO 3200-6400 5M), Natural Skin Tone, Kids, Frame Composite, Food, Candlelight, Text, Surf & Snow, Digital Panorama (2M per frame), Half Length Portrait (3M)
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   No
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: n/a Auto, Flash Off, Flash On, Auto + Redeye, On + Redeye
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a Auto ISO: 16ft (wide), 8.5ft (tele)
Max Flash Sync: 1/250  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 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
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0)  
Movie File Format:   AVI (Motion JPEG)
Included Memory:   21.6 MB
Included Memory Type:   Internal
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 No
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 Optional K-AC119 AC adapter kit
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  
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 D-LI108
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-LI108 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). Software CD-ROM S-SW116 with MediaImpression 3.0 for PENTAX (Windows) / MediaImpression 2.1 for PENTAX (Mac)
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. Very closely related to RS1000. Only differences are clip-on (screwless) face plates rather than screw-on kind, slightly more internal memory, newer software CD, and slight differences to scene and Auto Picture modes.