• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony A850 advantages over Olympus E-P3

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    23.8 vs 20.8 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,415 vs 536 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.2 vs 10.1 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 880 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    24.6 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus E-P3 advantages over Sony A850

  • Less expensive
    $900 vs $2000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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 Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Extremely fast autofocus; Pop-up flash and AF-assist lamp; Full HD recording; wisely limited focus for touchscreen; excellent print quality results; removable grip.

  • Larger than some competitors (see E-PL3 if you prefer a smaller camera); strong noise suppression; touchscreen easily activated by mistake; list of options is overwhelming; shoulder strap D-rings are noisy.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

Sony A850
Sony A900
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Olympus E-P3
Sony A900
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus E-P2

Sony A850
Olympus E-P2
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Olympus E-P3
Olympus E-P2
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Sony A850
Olympus E-PL3
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Olympus E-P3
Olympus E-PL3
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Internal flash
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

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
Olympus E-P3
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony A99

Sony A850
Sony A99
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-P3
Sony A99
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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