• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

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Differences

Sony A850 advantages over Leica S3

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 4.59 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/125 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    850g vs 1260g
    Lighter weight
  • More AF points
    9 vs 1
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Leica S3 advantages over Sony A850

  • Less expensive
    $19 vs $2000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.09x vs 0.74x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    64.0 vs 24.6 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    125 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 23 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

Sony A850
Sony A900
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Leica S3
Sony A900
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A850
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
Leica S3
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A99

Sony A850
Sony A99
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Leica S3
Sony A99
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Canon 5DS

Sony A850
Canon 5DS
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
Leica S3
Canon 5DS
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • More cross-type AF points

Compared to Pentax K-1

Sony A850
Pentax K-1
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Leica S3
Pentax K-1
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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