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Sony Alpha DSLR-A850

24.6 megapixels | 3" screen | Full frame sensor

User reviews

Average rating: 4.45

47 reviews

5 stars		(35)
4 stars		(6)
3 stars		(2)
2 stars		(0)
1 stars		(4)

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Opinion: It's a $1700 full frame DSLR. 24MP, huge viewfinder, excellent AF especially after the firmware update (which also alleviated at least 2 of the complaints below this review), and the dynamic range is a delight to work with in post processing. Works seamlessly with flash. Every AF lens stabilized. Just a delight to own.

Problems: It's not as fast as current top of the line DSLRs, in regards to ISO or frames per second. A completely useable, but not ideal, sports/action camera.

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Opinion: Like the viewfinder and the build quality. Raw images contain a lot of detail, vast
difference between 12 and 24mb, if I upscale an image from my A700 to match the
A850 you loose more detail than I expected. Upgraded from the A700, so a lot of
the features/menus/settings are very similar. The intelligent preview is very useful.
The beauty of full frame is that all my wide angle lens are now wide angle, takes
some getting used to especially with my Carl Zeiss 16-35mm, but love it. Love the
fact that I can change from Compact Flash to Memory Stick via the F button, rather
than having to go through the menu system. Like having the AF micro function
feature, although the A850 focuses better than my A700. Use the memory feature
1, 2 and 3 most of the time, very easy to access and change settings. I got the grip
at the same time and highly recommend it, lot more comfortable than my grip on
the A700. Like the display on the top panel, a lot of people moan about the fact
that it doesn't give much information, I like that fact that it's nice, clean and
simple. To me the A850 is the camera that the A700 should have been but with the
smaller chip. Things I'm still getting used to with the A850 are the following:
1. Lenses are now the correct focal length
2. Just the amount of detail you can capture, it's huge!
3. Lot bigger viewfinder
4. Lenses focus better and if not have the ability to adjust them
5. Interchangeable focusing screens

Problems: Miss having 5 frames per second, but that's available on the the A900, didn't think
the difference would be that great, but it's very noticeable. Shame it's not got live
view like its competitors. Price too similar to the A900, although I got a good deal
on mine, with the 28-75mm F2.8 and grip. Prefer the paint finish on the A900 than
the very matt finish on the A850. Tends to under expose slight, need to put +0.7
most of the time, but I always bracket my shots, so not a major issue. Don't know
why they bothered with an Auto setting, not really something I would every use,
prefer to have had 4 memory options. One thing I have noticed, is that due to the
size of the chip, I have to clean it more often to get dust/blobs off it more than my
A700 Noise is an issue above 800ASA, but as I rarely shoot above 400ASA not a
major issue. It's just a case if other manufacturers can produce good ISO images at
higher settings, why can't the A850? Things I'm still getting used to going full
frame and I think this will relate to any manufacturer are the following:
1. Corner sharpness not as good as APS-C cameras
2. Lenses vignettes more than on APS-C cameras
3. Narrower depth of field
4. You'll need to buy more cards/hard drives for your files
5. You'll need Cokin Z filters for you wide angle lenses
I know I've listed a lot of negative points, but none of the above are major issues
and I'm glad I purchased the A850 and went full frame.

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Opinion: This is my fifth SLR, and my first full-frame DSLR. It is by far a a most well crafted camera. I carry with me everywhere. I am so attached to it that keep it on my bed side; even after a month.

Feature-wise, everything is easily accessible and very intuitive. You can re-program any specific feature to a button of your choice if you feel the need but I didn't.

The image quality is SUPERB for all images of all sizes (L, M, S). I use it with a 50mm f1.4 and when I photograph a person from 10 feet away, I can zoom into the face all the way down to the hair with little degradation. Very impressive. I've also used my Rokkor 58mm f1.2 with a Haoda adapter, and also a 50mm f1.4. The 58mm produced delightfully "human" results, and the 50mm was sharp!

Live View is a gimmick and I didn't miss it. The Intelligent View feature is more helpful. I love looking through the view-finder. I purposely did not want video capability and don't miss.

Problems: - I find the camera to be heavy but it is well built and I am sure most camera in the A850's class will be heavy.
- The camera is noisy. Again, I don't mind it since I don't intend to use it in a silent setting.
- I wish SONY would make an adapter for the MD/MC/SR mount. There is such a treasure of great lenses out there. This would also help the current lack of variety in the SONY lens line-up.

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