• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
  • Samsung NX30
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A850 NX30
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1999.95 $999.99
Street Price: $2,219.00 $899.00
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2014-02-20
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.0 oz (850 g) 23.1 oz (654 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
5.0 x 3.8 x 1.6 in.
(127 x 96 x 42 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Samsung
Effective Megapixels: 24.6 20.3
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.94 microns 4.29 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 None
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 79 76
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.8 23.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 12.4
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,415 1,014
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)
5472 x 3648 (20.0 MP, 3:2),
5472 x 3080 (16.9 MP, 16:9),
3648 x 3648 (13.3 MP, 1:1),
3888 x 2592 (10.1 MP, 3:2),
3712 x 2088 (7.8 MP, 16:9),
2640 x 2640 (7.0 MP, 1:1),
2976 x 1984 (5.9 MP, 3:2),
2944 x 1656 (4.9 MP, 16:9),
2000 x 2000 (4.0 MP, 1:1),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1024 x 1024 (1.0 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) JPEG, MPO, RAW (SRW), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 8.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60p/​30p)
1920x810 (24p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30p)
320x240 (30p)
1280x720 (120p)
640x480 (120p)
320x240 (120p)
Movie File Format:   MP4 (Video: MPEG4, AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC)
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) Samsung NX
Lens: n/a Samsung 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III OIS NX
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual):   18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.06x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 58.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 2x
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. Samsung NX AF System II (Hybrid contrast/phase-detect): 105points (Phase Detection AF), 247points (Contrast AF), Selection: 1point ( Free selection ), Multi: Normal 21 (3 x 7) points, Closeup 35points, Face Detection: Max. 10 faces
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) EVF / OLED
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism with 98% coverage, 0.74x mag., 20mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter Tiltable (up to 80 degrees) EVF with eye sensor; XGA (1024x768) 2,359K dots; 100% Field of view; 0.96x Magnification(50mm eq. lens); -4 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 2,359,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.74x 0.64x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.74x 0.96x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 1,036,800 dots (345,600 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No Yes
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 19.0x  
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600
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, Cloudy, Fluorescent (W, N, D), Tungsten, Flash, Custom, K (Manual)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 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 Multi, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   Beauty Face, Landscape, Macro, Action Freeze, Rich Tone, Panorama, Waterfall, Silhouette, Sunset, Night, Fireworks, Light Trace, Creative Shot, Best Face, Multi-Exposure, Smart Jump Shot
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2-30 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: n/a Smart Flash, Auto, Auto+Red-eye reduction, Fill-in, Fill-in+Red-eye reduction, 1st Curtain, 2nd Curtain, Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 11.0 m / 36.1 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Lens dependent; GN=11 (ISO 100, m)
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/200
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe, PC-sync Hot shoe
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:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) RAW (SRW), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   MP4 (Video: MPEG4, AVC/H.264, Audio: AAC)
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: Yes
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,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes No
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless Wi-Fi live view; optional wired via USB
Connections (extended): DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack Mult-function USB port compatible with wired remote
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.40 0.62
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.50 0.73
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 23 21
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.62
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.0 8.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 23 21
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   8.9
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   12
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   8.8
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   11
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.13 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 0.087 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.23 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.083 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Full AF lag, wide-area AF mode = 0.285s
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 0.8 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.9 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   3.6 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   360 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 880 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary BP-1410
Usable Battery Types: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 1410mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BP-1410 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: No
Internal Charging Supported: Yes
Software
Included Software: Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only). iLauncher, Adobe Lightroom v5
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. Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11b/g/n supports Dual Channel (Smart Camera 3.0 with NFC, AutoShare, SNS & Cloud, Email, Auto Back, Remote Viewfinder Pro, Mobile Link,Samsung Link, Group Share, Photo Beam, HomeSync, Baby Monitor)