• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
  • Nikon Coolpix A900
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Nikon S9900
S9900 vs A900
Successor:   Nikon A1000
A900 vs A1000
General
Model Number: A850 A900
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $1999.95 $399.95
Street Price: $2,219.00 $396.95
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2016-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.0 oz (850 g) 10.2 oz (289 g)
includes batteries
Size: 6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
4.4 x 2.6 x 1.6 in.
(113 x 67 x 40 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony BSI
Effective Megapixels: 24.6 20.2
Sensor Format: 35mm 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.94 microns 1.19 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 4:3
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)
5184 x 3888 (20.2 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 7.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 3840x2160 (30p/​25p)
1920x1080 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p)
640x480 (120p/​100p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
1920x1080 (15p/​12.5p)
Movie File Format:   MP4 (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, Audio: AAC stereo)
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) n/a
Lens: n/a Zoom-Nikkor; 13 elements in 11 groups including 4 ED lens elements
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   24 - 840mm
Focal Length (actual):   4.3 - 151mm
Zoom Ratio:   35.00x
Aperture Range:   f/3.4 (wde) / f/6.9 (tele) - ??; 3-blade iris diaphragm
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   1 cm to Infinity
0.4 in to Infinity
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 4x; up to 2x Dynamic Fine Zoom
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. Contrast Detection: Center, Face priority, Manual with 99 focus areas, Subject tracking, Target finding AF
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) No / LCD
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 0.00x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.74x 0.00x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 921,600 dots (230,400 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 19.0x  
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 1600
Minimum ISO (native): 200 80
ISO Settings: Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400 Auto, ISO 80 - 1600; ISO 3200 (available when using P, S, A or M mode)
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) Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Preset Manual
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 8 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot Matrix, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   Scene Modes: Backlighting, Beach, Close-up, Dusk/Dawn, Easy Panorama, Fireworks Show, Food, Multiple Exposure Lighten, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Party/Indoor, Pet Portrait, Portrait, Scene Auto Selector, Snow, Sports, Sunset, Superlapse Movie; Smart Portrait, Special Effects
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 10 , 5 or 2 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: n/a Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off, Flash On, w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; Slow Syncro
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a Auto ISO: [W]: 0.5 to 6.0m (1 ft. 8 in. to 19 ft.), [T]: 1.5 to 3.2m (5 ft. to 11 ft.)
Max Flash Sync: 1/250  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe, PC-sync n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   No UHS support
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0)  
Movie File Format:   MP4 (Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, Audio: AAC stereo)
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
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,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless Via Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack Micro (Type D) HDMI
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 7.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 23 7
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):   270 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 880 shots  
Battery Life, Video:   50 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary EN-EL12
Usable Battery Types: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary EN-EL12 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: No
Internal Charging Supported: Yes
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. Available in silver and black.