• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
  • Leica S3
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Leica S2
S2 vs S3
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A850 S3
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $1999.95 $19.00
Street Price: $2,219.00  
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2020-03-06
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.0 oz (850 g) 44.4 oz (1,260 g)
includes batteries
Size: 6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
6.3 x 4.7 x 3.1 in.
(160 x 120 x 80 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 24.6 64.0
Sensor Format: 35mm Medium format
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 1350mm2 (45.00mm x 30.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.94 microns 4.59 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 0.8x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 79  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.8  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,415  
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)
9800 x 6530 (64.0 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) JPEG, RAW (Adobe .DNG), RAW+JPEG Fine/Basic
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 3.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 4096x2160 (24p)
1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
Movie File Format:   MOV (motion JPEG)
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) Leica S bayonet
Lens: n/a n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):    
Focal Length (actual):    
Zoom Ratio:    
Aperture Range:    
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No No
Digital Zoom Values: n/a n/a
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. Phase-detect TTL with central cross-hair sensor: Choice of AFs (single) = Sharpness priority, AFc (continuous) = Shutter release priority, MF (manual), Manual override of automatic setting possible at any time; Contrast detect AF during live view at any point in image
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism with 98% coverage, 0.74x mag., 20mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter High eyepoint pentaprism viewfinder, 98% coverage, 0.87x magnification, -3 to +1 diopter correction, interchangeable focusing screen, ground glass screen with microprism ring and split image (standard)
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.74x 1.09x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.74x 0.87x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 19.0x  
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 50000
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12500, 25000, 50000
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) Automatic, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, HMI, Fluorescent, Halogen warm, Halogen cool, Flash, Tungsten, Grey card (determined from image), Grey card Live View, Color temperature (Kelvin)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 125 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.5EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot Multi-segment (5 fields), Center-weighted, Spot (3.5% of image frame)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:    
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: n/a TTL pre-flash metering, with automatic transmission and consideration of sensitivity and set/controlled lens aperture, all exposure modes available, automatic adaptation of flash light component to available light; First or second curtain sync
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/125 or 1/1000 depending on lens (shutter type)
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe, PC-sync Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   No UHS support
Other Memory:   Dual SD + CF (UDMA7)
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) RAW (Adobe .DNG), RAW+JPEG Fine/Basic
Movie File Format:   MOV (motion JPEG)
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No Yes
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 3.0 Super Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes No
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless Cabled or Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack Mini HDMI Type C, X-sync, 7-pin LEMO socket for remote accessories, contact strip for multi-function hand grip, audio in (3.5 mm jack) and audio out (3.5 mm jack) with audio adapter S (supplied with the camera)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.40  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.50  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 23  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.0 3.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 23 Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   3.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   6
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 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  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 880 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary 7.4V, 2850mAh
Usable Battery Types: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x 7.4V, 2850mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: No
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only).  
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.