• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200

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Differences

Sony DSC-T90 advantages over Sony A850

  • Less expensive
    $299 vs $2000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    15 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    151g vs 850g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 23 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A850 advantages over Sony DSC-T90

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1/2.3 inch
    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 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 880 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.6 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 1 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.0 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/1000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-T700

Sony DSC-T90
Sony DSC-T700
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Sony A850
Sony DSC-T700
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Sony A900

Sony DSC-T90
Sony A900
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A850
Sony A900
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compared to Sony DSC-T900

Sony DSC-T90
Sony DSC-T900
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
Sony A850
Sony DSC-T900
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Sony DSC-TX5

Sony DSC-T90
Sony DSC-TX5
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $349
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure
Sony A850
Sony DSC-TX5
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $349
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony DSC-T90
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A850
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
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