August 28th, 2009
Sony's new Alpha DSLR-A850: First full-frame dSLR under $2,000
About a year after Sony introduced its first full-frame digital SLR, the Alpha DSLR-A900, the electronics giant is making news by unveiling the least expensive full-frame dSLR to date: The recently announced Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 is the first 35mm full-frame dSLR to break the $2,000 mark, and will be priced at $1,999.99 when it ships in September.
Though Sony originally pitched the A900 as a camera for “serious photo enthusiasts” rather than professionals, it seems to have changed its tune now that it’s coming out with a camera that’s actually priced within reach of consumers. Deep-pocketed, extremely motivated consumers, perhaps, but I had a hard time believing that non-professionals would be willing to plunk down $3,000 (the A900’s original body-only price). Now that its lineup includes two full-frame dSLRs (both 24.6 megapixels), Sony is talking about how it “offers models in each step from high-end professional down to the amateur enthusiast.”
The only problem is that after comparing the specs, any true professional would be hard pressed to justify the extra $700 a A900 costs (especially considering you can get a Canon EOS 5D Mark II for the same $2,700 and get Live View and HD video recording to boot).
The A850, though, is the now the least expensive way to get a full 35mm-size sensor along with the high resolution and image quality (particularly in low light) that it affords.
For a early hands-on take of the A850, check out Imaging Resource’s full review.
For a quick specs comparison between the A850, its predecessor the A900, and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II:
| Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 |
Canon EOS 5D Mark II |
|
| Price | $1999.99 (body only), ships in September | $2,699.99 (body only) |
$2,699 (body only) |
| Sensor | 24.6 megapixels, 35mm full-frame CMOS | 24.6 megapixels, 35mm full-frame CMOS | 21.1 megapixels, 35mm full-frame CMOS |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 3 fps | 5 fps | 3.9 fps |
| LCD | 3-inch, 921,600 pixels (fixed) | 3-inch, 921,000 pixels (fixed) | 3-inch, 920,000 pixels (fixed) |
| Autofocus | 9-point | 9-point | 9-point |
| Sensitivity | ISO 100-6400 | ISO 100-6400 | ISO 100-6400 |
| Live View | No | No | Yes |
| Storage Media | Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Compact Flash Type I/II | Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Compact Flash Type I/II | Compact Flash Type I/II |
| Movie Mode |
None | None | 1920×1080 (30 fps)/640×480 (30 fps) |
| Dimensions | 6.1×4.6×3.3 inches | 6.1×4.6×3.3 inches | 6.0×4.5×3.0 inches |
| Weight (body) |
30 oz | 31.6 oz | 28.6 oz |
Janice Chen has been covering technology for almost two decades. She got her hands on a Nikon Coolpix 900 back in 1998 and has been a digital camera enthusiast ever since. See her full profile and disclosure of her industry affiliations.
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