Sony’s update to their successful A900 is the new A850, which has the same 24.6 megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor (continuous shooting up to 3fps) and virtually all of the same features. Sony’s competition will have a tough time trying to beat this 35mm DSLR with full-frame capabilities, considering it will retail for only $2,000 in the USA. However, lets go ahead and get this out of the way: it doesn’t have video. Most people won’t be buying a $2,000 DSLR for video capabilities. I don’t believe Sony will implement this until they have perfected it, as DSLR video still has shortcomings.
Shots can be viewed on the large, high contrast 3.0 inch LCD that offers an exceptionally high resolution (921k dot) for critical evaluation – even outdoors or in bright ambient light. For greater creative control, an Intelligent Preview function indicates the effects of exposure, white balance, and D-Range Optimizer adjustments prior to shooting. This Preview is invaluable when composing complex scenes that may typically combine multiple light sources with different color temperatures.
The A850 also features SteadyShot INSIDE. This in-body optical stabilization system delivers up to 4 steps of anti-shake correction with all Sony, Minolta and Konica-Minolta compatible lenses, and even wide angle or large aperture lenses, opening up even greater creative possibilities when shooting handheld. Noise reduction is first applied as the full-frame sensor converts light to electronic signals. Dual BIONZ image engines process large amounts of digital data, applying finely-tuned noise reduction during image processing to deliver pictures with extremely high level of sharpness and minimal noise level. This combination of high native sensor resolution and powerful noise control techniques ensures superlative image quality, even at high sensitivity settings up to a maximum ISO 6400 (with expanded ISO range)
Touching the Fn button switches the display to Quick Navi mode, allowing convenient one-handed adjustment of key shooting parameters. A secondary backlit LCD panel on the top of the camera body gives useful confirmation of major settings, even when the main LCD is turned off.
Like its full-frame sibling, the A850 is ruggedly built for dependable performance in grueling conditions with a high-tensile aluminum chassis and all-magnesium alloy body shell. Viewfinder, card slots, controls and other sensitive areas are protected from dust and moisture by rubber seals. In addition, an anti-dust system guards the full-frame sensor from the effects of dust entering the body during lens exchange.
The supplied high-capacity InfoLITHIUM rechargeable Battery Pack (NP-FM500H) delivers power for up to 880 shots (approx.) per charge. Battery levels can be monitored in precise 1% increments, cutting uncertainty about remaining shooting time.
The camera includes dedicated slots for high-capacity Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, HX series and CompactFlash media. The A850 also features HDMI output.
