• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
  • Pentax K-x
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Pentax K2000
K2000 vs K-x
Successor:   Pentax K-r
K-x vs K-r
General
Model Number: A850 K-x
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1999.95 $649.95
Street Price: $2,219.00 $701.76
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2009-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.0 oz (850 g) 27.9 oz (791 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 in.
(122 x 92 x 69 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 24.6 12.4
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.94 microns 5.53 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 79 72
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.8 22.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 12.5
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,415 811
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)
4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP, 3:2),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) JPEG (EXIF 2.21), 12-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 4.3
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x416 (24)
Movie File Format:    
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No No
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3)
Lens: n/a smc Pentax DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual):   18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.00x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 38 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 52.0mm
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. SAFOX VIII TTL phase-detect 11 point (9 cross) AF: 11 pt auto, 5 pt auto, AF pt select, center/spot
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
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 SLR type; fixed eye-level pentamirror, 96% coverage, 0.85x mag., -2.5 to +1.5 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.74x 0.57x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.74x 0.85x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 2.7
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 230,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 19.0x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 6400
Minimum ISO (native): 200 200
ISO Settings: Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400 Auto (200-6400), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400; expandable to 12800
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, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Flash, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/6000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot 16-segment Multi, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   Auto Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Standard Flash Off), Scene (Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Food, Sunset, Kids, Pet, Candlelight, Museum, Stage Lighting [JPG], Night Snap [JPG]), Sensitivity Priority
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: n/a On, off, redeye, slow sync, slow sync w redeye, slow sync w trailing curtain, wireless
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 11.3 m / 37.1 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Depends on lens
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe, PC-sync Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive SD / SDHC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) 12-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG)
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 No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless Optional IR
Connections (extended): DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack AC adapter available
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.40 0.39
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.50 0.43
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 23 10
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? Yes No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.0 4.3
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 23 25
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 0.10 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 0.082 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.23 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.082 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Live View: Phase-detect Full AF: 0.448s Contrast-detect Full AF: 2.567s Prefocused: 0.427s
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 0.6 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.2 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   3.3 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):    
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 880 shots 420 shots (NiMH AA)
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary 4 x AA
Usable Battery Types: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium, Alkaline disposables; NiMH rechargeables
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 4 x AA Alkaline disposables
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes No
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only). CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000Pro/XP/Vista; Mac OS X (v 10.1.3+) Windows XP/Vista/7, MacOS-X 10.3+
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Cost reduced Sony A900. Smaller viewfinder (98% vs 100%), slower burst mode (3 fps vs 5), wireless remote not included. Sensor-shift shake reduction, 720p HD video capture, Live View with face detection. Available in black or white. Limited edition colors of red and navy will become available at select locations to be announced.