• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
  • Samsung NX20
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A850 NX20
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1999.95 $1099.99
Street Price: $2,219.00 $399.99
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2012-05-05
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.0 oz (850 g) 22.5 oz (637 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
4.8 x 3.5 x 1.6 in.
(122 x 90 x 40 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Samsung
Effective Megapixels: 24.6 20.3
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 4.33 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 No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 79 75
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 23.8 23.4
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.2 12.9
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,415 785
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)
5472 x 3648 (20.0 MP, 3:2),
5472 x 3080 (16.9 MP, 16:9),
3648 x 3648 (13.3 MP, 1:1),
3888 x 2592 (10.1 MP, 3:2),
3712 x 2088 (7.8 MP, 16:9),
2640 x 2640 (7.0 MP, 1:1),
2976 x 1984 (5.9 MP, 3:2),
2736 x 1824 (5.0 MP, 3:2),
2944 x 1656 (4.9 MP, 16:9),
2000 x 2000 (4.0 MP, 1:1),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2),
1024 x 1024 (1.0 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) JPEG (EXIF 2.21), .SRW 12-bit RAW
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 7.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (30p)
1920x810 (24p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
320x240 (30p)
Movie File Format:   MP4 (H.264) with AAC audio
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Samsung NX
Lens: n/a Samsung 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS NX
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   27 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual):   18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.06x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   28 cm to Infinity
11.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 58.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a Up to 2x i-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. 15-point Contrast Detection; has single-point and 35-point closeup modes; Face Detection : Max. 10 faces
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD (playback only) EVF / OLED
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentaprism with 98% coverage, 0.74x mag., 20mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter EVF type with Eye Contact Sensor; SVGA (800 x 600) TFT-LCD; Coverage: Approx. 100%; Magnification: Approx. 1.04X (APS-C, 50mm, -1m-1), Approx. 0.68X (Equivalent to a 50mm lens on a 35mm camera); Eyepoint: Approx. 18.0mm; Diopter Adjustment: -4.0 to +4.0m-
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a 1,440,000 dots (480,000 pixels)
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.74x 0.69x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.74x 1.04x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 614,400 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 19.0x  
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400 Auto (100-3200), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 (1 or 1/3 EV steps)
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, Cloudy, White Fluorescent, Neutral Fluorescent, Daylight Fluorescent, Tungsten, Flash, Custom, Kelvin Color Temp., 7-step A/B + G/M adjust
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot 221-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:   Scene: Panorama (Live, 3D), Beauty shot, Night, Landscape, Portrait, Children, Sports, Close-Up, Text, Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Sound Picture, 3D Photo; Smart Filter: Vignetting, Miniature, Fish-Eye, Sketch, De-fog, Halftone Dots, Soft Focus, Old Film1, Old Film2, Negative, Selective Color (4 Color Modes); Magic Frame: Old Album, Old Film, Wave, Full Moon, Old Record, Magazine, Sunny Day, Classic TV, Wall Art, Holiday, Billboard 1, Billboard 2, Newspaper
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2-30 sec in 1 sec steps seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: n/a Smart Flash, Auto, Auto+Red-eye reduction, Fill-in, Fill-in+Red-eye reduction, 1st Curtain, 2nd Curtain, Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 11.0 m / 36.1 ft.
Flash Range Description: n/a Depends on lens aperture
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe, PC-sync Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) .SRW 12-bit RAW
Movie File Format:   MP4 (H.264) with AAC audio
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC:
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,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless Optional wired (SR2NX02)
Connections (extended): DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack Micro (Type D) HDMI, Combined AV/USB/Remote Micro USB Port
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.40 1.40
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.50 1.32
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 23 4
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 7.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 23 11
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 0.35 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 0.060 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.62 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.044 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Full AF Shutter Lag, Wide Area mode = 0.650s
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 3.0 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.3 seconds 0.9 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:   3.6 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   360 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 880 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary BP1310
Usable Battery Types: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BP1310 lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
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). intelli-studio 3.0, Samsung RAW Converter 4, PC Auto Backup, Adobe Reader
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000Pro/XP/Vista; Mac OS X (v 10.1.3+) Windows, Mac OS (except intelli-studio)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Cost reduced Sony A900. Smaller viewfinder (98% vs 100%), slower burst mode (3 fps vs 5), wireless remote not included. Built-in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n support, Mobile Link, Remote Viewfinder, Social Sharing, Email, Cloud , Auto Backup, TV Link, Wi-Fi Direct), supports geotagging w/ optional WGS84 GPS Module.