• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 122.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot A480
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A480 A850
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $129.99 $1999.95
Street Price: $102.47 $2,219.00
Date Available: 2009-03-15 2009-10-08
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 4.9 oz (140 g) 30.0 oz (850 g)
Size: 3.6 x 2.4 x 1.2 in.
(92 x 62 x 31 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: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 24.6
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 35mm
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.69 microns 5.94 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
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: 3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2048 (7.5 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3) 		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 (EXIF 2.2) JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0)
Continuous-mode frames/second: n/a 3.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes No
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (30/​30)
320x240 (30)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG)  
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out: No Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens, 7 elements in 6 groups n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 37 - 122mm  
Focal Length (actual): 6.6 - 21.6mm  
Zoom Ratio: 3.30x  
Aperture Range: f/3.0 (W) to f/5.8 (T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity 		 
Macro Focus Range: 1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in 		 
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes No
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 5-point Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection 9-point TTL phase detection with 10 assist points, center dual-cross at f/2.8.
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD Optical / LCD (playback only)
Viewfinder Type:   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):   0.74x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   0.74x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 115,000 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
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   3200
Minimum ISO (native):   200
ISO Settings: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temperature from 2,500K to 9,900K, Custom (3)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/2000 - 15 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: No Yes
Shutter Priority: No Yes
Full Manual Exposure: No Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Sunset, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium, Long Shutter, Super Macro  
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Manual Flash On / Off; Slow-Sync and Red-eye Reduction options. n/a
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: 30cm - 3.0m (W) / 2.0m (T) n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/500 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Hot shoe, PC-sync
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG)  
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
Remote Control Type:   Optional wired or wireless
Connections (extended):   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):   0.40
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
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):   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):   0.18 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): 470 shots (NiMH AA)  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   880 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: 2 x AA Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Alkaline, Lithium disposables, NiMH rechargeables NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 2 x AA Alkaline disposables 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Canon Software Suite CD-ROM Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only).
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows 2000Pro/XP/Vista; Mac OS X (v 10.1.3+)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Available in blue, red, silver, and black. Cost reduced Sony A900. Smaller viewfinder (98% vs 100%), slower burst mode (3 fps vs 5), wireless remote not included.