• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 75.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
  • Sigma DP3 Merrill
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Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A850 DP3 Merrill
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1999.95 $999.99
Street Price: $2,219.00 $899.00
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2013-03-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.0 oz (850 g) 14.1 oz (400 g)
Size: 6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
4.8 x 2.6 x 3.2 in.
(122 x 67 x 81 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Foveon X3
Effective Megapixels: 24.6 14.8
Sensor Format: 35mm APS-C
Sensor size: 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm) 368.95mm2 (23.50mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.94 microns 5.00 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG Full Color
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Not needed
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)
4704 x 3136 (14.8 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
2336 x 1568 (3.7 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) JPEG, 12-bit RAW (.X3F), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 4.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (30)
Movie File Format:   AVI (Motion JPEG) with monaural sound
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) n/a
Lens: n/a Sigma Lens; 10 elements in 8 groups
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   75mm
Focal Length (actual):   50mm
Zoom Ratio:   Non-Zoom
Aperture Range:   f/2.8 - f/16, with 7-bladed diaphragm
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   100 cm to Infinity
39.4 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   23 cm to Infinity
8.9 in to Infinity
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. Contrast Detection: 9 points select mode, Free move mode (It is possible to change the size of Focus Frame to Spot, Regular and Large.)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
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  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.74x  
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 (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 19.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 3200 6400
Minimum ISO (native): 200 100
ISO Settings: Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400 Auto (with programmable low and high limits), 100-6400 in 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, Sunlight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/2000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot Evaluative, center-weighted average, spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes:   No scene modes or effects. Note that maximum shutter speed varies with aperture. Top shutter speeds are 1/2000s at f/5.6-f/16, 1/1600s at f/4.0-f/16 and 1/1250s at f/2.8-f/16.
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: n/a Normal, Redeye, Slow Sync., Redeye + Slow Sync (with compatible external flash unit)
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe, PC-sync Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
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 Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) 12-bit RAW (.X3F), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   AVI (Motion JPEG) with monaural sound
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 No
Remote Control Type: Optional wired or wireless  
Connections (extended): DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack Combined USB/AV
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 4.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 23 7
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   7
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   4.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   7
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):   97 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 880 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary BP-41
Usable Battery Types: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 2 x Proprietary BP-41 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only). SIGMA Photo Pro
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000Pro/XP/Vista; Mac OS X (v 10.1.3+) Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Cost reduced Sony A900. Smaller viewfinder (98% vs 100%), slower burst mode (3 fps vs 5), wireless remote not included. 3 x 14.8 megapixel Foveon X3 sensor, Dual TRUE II image processors, 50mm f/2.8 macro lens, Quick Set menu, new Face Detection AF, AF+MF mode, VGA movies.