Sony A850 vs Sigma fp L

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A850 vs Sigma fp L

Leave Feedback

35mm 861.6mm²
24.6 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Sony A850 Review.

35mm 864.0mm²
61.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sigma fp L Review.
See real-world photos taken with the fp L.

Buy From

Differences

Sony A850 advantages over Sigma fp L

Less expensive
$2000 vs $2499 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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 3.78 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

880 vs 240 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/15 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Bigger JPEG buffer
23 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sigma fp L advantages over Sony A850

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
Thinner
45 mm vs 81 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
4 years vs 15 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
427g vs 850g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
2100k vs 922k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
61.0 vs 24.6 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
102400 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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A850

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma fp L

Review Excerpt

Read our Sony A850 Full Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Sigma fp L, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Sigma fp L Shooter's Report

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

Sigma fp L

Sony A900

$2499
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$3000
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
Bigger pixels

Compare Sigma fp L vs Sony A900

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

Sigma fp L

Canon 5D Mark III

$2499
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2079
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
Bigger pixels

Compare Sigma fp L 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

Sigma fp L

Sony A99

$2499
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1998
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L vs Sony A99

Compared to Sigma fp

Sony A850

Sigma fp

$2219
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
Top deck display

$1699
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A850 vs Sigma fp

Sigma fp L

Sigma fp

$2499
35mm

More pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

$1699
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher max flash sync

Compare Sigma fp L vs Sigma fp

Compared to Sony A7C

Sony A850

Sony A7C

$2219
35mm

Top deck display
Higher max flash sync

$1598
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A850 vs Sony A7C

Sigma fp L

Sony A7C

$2499
35mm

Thinner
More dots on screen

$1598
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sigma fp L vs Sony A7C

Compare Other Cameras?