• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon EOS 50D
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon 40D
40D vs 50D
 
Successor: Canon 60D
50D vs 60D
 
General
Model Number: 50D A850
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1399.00 $1999.95
Street Price: $999.95 $2,219.00
Date Available: 2008-10-15 2009-10-08
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.0 oz (822 g)
includes batteries
30.0 oz (850 g)
Size: 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 in.
(146 x 108 x 74 mm)
6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Canon Sony
Effective Megapixels: 15.1 24.6
Sensor Format: APS-C 35mm
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.99 microns 5.94 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.6x 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 63 79
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.8 23.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.4 12.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 696 1,415
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4752 x 3168 (15.1 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2352 x 1568 (3.7 MP, 3:2)
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)
Image File Format: JPEG, 14-bit RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2 JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.3 3.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No No
Movie Resolution:
Movie File Format:    
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: Yes No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Canon EF/EF-S Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 45 - 216mm  
Focal Length (actual): 28 - 135mm  
Zoom Ratio: 4.82x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5-22 (W), f/5.6-36 (T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 72.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: No
Digital Zoom Values:   n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: AF-dedicated CMOS Sensor, 9 cross-type AF points, f/2.8 rotated cross center point 9-point TTL phase detection with 10 assist points, center dual-cross at f/2.8.
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD Optical / LCD (playback only)
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 95% coverage, 0.95x mag., 22mm eyepoint. -3 to +1 diopter SLR type; eye-level pentaprism with 98% coverage, 0.74x mag., 20mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.59x 0.74x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.95x 0.74x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 920,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 19.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 3200
Minimum ISO (native): 100 200
ISO Settings: Auto, 100 - 3200 in 1/3 or 1EV steps, H1=6400, H2=12800 Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Kelvin 2800K - 10,000K Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temperature from 2,500K to 9,900K, Custom (3)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 35-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Partial (9%), Spot (3.8%) 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Creative Auto, Green Zone, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Action, Night Portrait, Flash Off, User1, User2  
Self Timer: 10 or 2 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: E-TTL II n/a
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 13.0 m / 42.7 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens aperture dependent n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, PC Sync Hot shoe, PC-sync
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 14-bit RAW, sRAW1, sRAW2 RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0)
Movie File Format:    
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Optional wired or wireless
Connections (extended): N3-type push-in terminal, HDMI mini out DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): <0.3 0.40
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): <0.3 0.50
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited 23
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.3 3.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 43 23
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.13 seconds 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): 0.120 seconds 0.154 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.24 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.063 seconds 0.074 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Full AF, Quick Mode: 0.85s Prefocus, Quick Mode: 0.108s Full AF, Face Detect: 1.97s Full AF, Live Mode: 2.06s  
Startup Time: 0.3 seconds 0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.5 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 1.9 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 640 shots 880 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary BP-511/A, BP-512; BG-E2N Battery Grip Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeble NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary BP-511A Lithium-ion rechargeble 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility, ZoomBrowser EX and ImageBrowser Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only).
OS Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista, Mac OS X. Windows 2000Pro/XP/Vista; Mac OS X (v 10.1.3+)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 15.1-megapixel upgrade to 40D: APS-C, DIGIC IV, 920K LCD, HDMI Out, Vignetting Correction, AF Microadjustment for up to 20 lenses, new Creative Auto exposure mode, 4-step adjustable high-ISO NR, 4-step adjustable ALO, 6.3 fps, Face Detection in LV mode. Native ISO range, 1/3 stop adjustable up to 3,200. H1 is 6,400, H2 is 12,800. Variable RAW (15.1MP (L), 7.1MP(M), 3.8MP(S) in RAW). Cost reduced Sony A900. Smaller viewfinder (98% vs 100%), slower burst mode (3 fps vs 5), wireless remote not included.