• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 18.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
  • Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
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Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A850 WX500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Pro SLR Compact
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $1999.95 $329.95
Street Price: $2,219.00 $348.00
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2015-06-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 30.0 oz (850 g) 8.3 oz (236 g)
includes batteries
Size: 6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
4.0 x 2.3 x 1.4 in.
(102 x 58 x 36 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony Exmor R
Effective Megapixels: 24.6 18.2
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 1.26 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)
4896 x 3672 (18.0 MP, 4:3),
4896 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2),
4896 x 2752 (13.5 MP, 16:9),
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2432 (8.9 MP, 3:2),
3648 x 2056 (7.5 MP, Other),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1728 (4.5 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other),
4912 x 1920 (9.4 MP, Other),
4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other),
3424 x 1920 (6.6 MP, 16:9),
11520 x 1080 (12.4 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0) JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.0 10.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60p/​60i/​30p/​24p)
1280x720 (30p)
Movie File Format:   XAVC S, AVCHD 2.0 or MP4; with stereo audio
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 ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* Lens, 11 elements in 10 groups (5 aspheric elements)
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   24 - 720mm
Focal Length (actual):   4.1 - 123mm
Zoom Ratio:   30.00x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 (W) / f/6.4(T) - f/8; 5-blade Iris Diaphragm
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
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 2x Clear Image, up to 4x Digital 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 AF: Wide, Center, Flexible Spot (S/M/L), Expanded Flexible Spot, Continuous AF (Advanced sports & Movie Only)
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  
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 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 3200
Minimum ISO (native): 200 80
ISO Settings: Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400 Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400*, 12800*; * Achieved by using "By Pixel Super Resolution" technology and overlay burst shooting
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, Fluorescent Cool White, Fluorescent Day White, Fluorescent Daylight, Incandescent, Flash, Custom, One Push
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 Multi-pattern, 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: Portrait, Advanced Sports Shooting, Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Handheld Twilight, Night Portrait, Anti Motion Blur, Backlight Correction HDR, Pet Mode, Gourmet, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, Soft Skin, High Sensitivity, Intelligent Sweep Panorama; Effects: Toy camera, Pop Color, Posterization, Retro Photo, Soft High-key, Partial Color, High Contrast Mono., Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Richtone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolor, Illustration
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 5, 10; 3 shots seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No Yes
Flash Modes: n/a Auto, Flash On, Slow Sync., Flash Off, Rear Sync.; Red-eye reduction available
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a ISO Auto: 0.3 to 5.4m (W) / 2.5 to 3.0m (T)
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:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0)  
Movie File Format:   XAVC S, AVCHD 2.0 or MP4; with stereo audio
Included Memory:   No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: Yes
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 No
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 10.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 23 10
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):   390 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 880 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary NP-BX1
Usable Battery Types: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-BX1 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 black or white.