Sony Alpha DSLR A850 Announced
Sony Alpha DSLR A850 Announced- Brief Hands on Report
August 2009, Carl Garrard
| It's suddenly getting really hot this summer with Sony introducing it's third DSLR today, the Sony Alpha DSLR A850. The big news here is that it is the worlds first full frame DSLR that is priced under $2,000.00 USD to be priced at $1,999.00 USD when it goes to sale in October. Sony's Alpha A850 is nearly identical to the Alpha A900 yet it is obviously more affordable and has a few changes in the feature set and exterior finish. I had a chance to preview the Alpha A850 with Sony side by side with the Alpha A900. There are only two visible differences on the outside of the A850 when compared to the Alpha A900. A new flat black finish, and of course the new Alpha A850 Logo. There are a couple performance differences as well beneath the skin of the A850. |  |
Overview and Brief Hands On
Underneath you'll find that the 24.6MP Alpha A850 is capable of a maximum of 3fps capture (up to 12 Raw+Jpeg and unlimited normal/fine Jpegs), and you'll also find that the viewfinder coverage now maxes out at 98% coverage vs. 100% coverage on the Alpha 900. They both have a magnification factor of .74x still. I'm told the amount of expense that Sony must endure to get a 100% optical viewfinder specification is immense. Therefore, by simply incorporating a less expensive pentaprism assembly with minimal performance impact, the cost savings to the consumer ends up being pretty substantial. Between the cost savings in the OVF, reduced frame rate performance, and now optional remote commander, the consumer saves $700.00 at the retail counter.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Not much to report here obviously about the A850 in terms of comparing to the Alpha A900 when holding both bodies, but I did want to share what little experience I had with it. First of all the new finish is very attractive on the A850, it has a more masculine appeal compared to the Alpha A900 in my opinion, but I'm told the A900's finish is a bit more durable to a degree because of the extra hardened finish. It may not be plainly obvious in the images but there is a difference that is noticeable once you have one in your hands.
When looking through the viewfinder, you aren't obviously going to notice any difference as the view is identical. It's the captured area that is going to change, but only by very little (the final image will add about 2% to the entire border to what you see through the viewfinder). It still has that big awesome view that A900 owners know all too well about. All in all however, I think A850 owners are going to all be silently appreciative of the slight change in looks and cost savings over A900 owners, with of course giving up relatively very little in performance along the way.
I've been told that the A850 won't change much in way of image quality or performance, yet we will still evaluate the image quality characteristics when we get a sample body to review. With this body, it is my opinion that Sony has adapted rather well to Alpha enthusiasts desires to have a more affordable full frame camera within reach. It certainly is the worlds most affordable full frame camera, at least at the date of this article.
Basic Features of the Alpha A850:
|
|
Look forward to our full review of the Alpha A850, as we may have an Alpha A850 sooner than you think.
As always be safe, and happy shooting.
-C.Garrard
P.S. What is clear to me now is the four levels of users Sony are targeting. Entry Level (A230/330/380), Enthusiast (A500/550), High Amateur (700 series), and Semi-Professional/Professional (A850/900). Also worth noting is that the very last gap to be filled for an entire newly refreshed lineup is the A700 series camera. Based on what clues that lie in perfect view with these two new cameras we have here, I think we are going to get a real exciting replacement to the A700. And I don't think it is going to be too much longer till we do.
Full press release on the next page
- Login or register to post comments
- Email this page
- Printer-friendly version
This will go down in history
This will go down in history as both the cheapest FF DSLR and also the joint highest res (at the moment). Should attract lots of people to the A mount. The new finish looks good too.
IF the 28-75 lens will be an
IF the 28-75 lens will be an $800 lens... it can't be a rebadged Tamron. I must say I am curious. But it won't be a "G"? I must say I have high hopes now for this lens...
The new lens
is of the same basic design, with improved optics, and a stronger faster SAM motor.
The lens's basic design already was a stellar performer for the price, Sony has just improved on it is all.
Its a perfect kit lens for the A850/900 as a more affordable alternative.
Carl
thank you
thank you, carl ;-) well done
New Alphas
Thanks for bringing us so much information on these new models so quickly! Sony has a lot of exciting things happening in the DSLR world. You already have me anxious for the next announcement (an A700 replacement?).
Perfect a700 upgrade?
The only thing that makes me hesitate is the extra weight, but what's 150 grams really? And then not having the light CZ 16-80 as a walk-around. Makes no difference with my Minolta primes.
How is the Minolta 28-135 with the a900/a850?
Help me convince myself that I need to upgrade!
28-135 Is an excellent lens
on the A900, the other I like is the Tamron 28-75mm (soon will be the Sony 28-75mm SAM).
The 28-135mm is heavier than the Tamron but gives you more range.
C
1999?! Wow! Sony really does listen to ...
1999?! Wow! Sony really does listen to its constituency! I wonder if that was the driver for Sony to leak the A850 manual. That is, Sony floats the specs' of the A850 and sees the response, sees what would people say about the features and their perceived value. I specifically remember reading some of the more vocal mavens mentioning a 2K price point. I thought those guesses were a bit low at the time. I was wrong.
Lots of Sony "firsts" with this announcement
First FF under 2K, first camera to achieve 7 frames per second under 1k, etc etc.... :)
is it worth....
the $700 difference between the A850 and the A900?, I mean when paying almost $2,000 just a little bit more won't hurt anybody, therefore, I don't know if this price difference makes the A850 compelling. I know a lot would say, "yes but it cost less than $2,000", however that is not the point, the point is the little extra amount to pay vs. the specs.
Cheers,
Daniel
One has to wonder did they
One has to wonder did they use a cheaper mirror mechanism thus the lose in fps rate?
You loose 2 fps, most using
You loose 2 fps, most using the a900 won't miss it, i mean it's not a sports camera by no means.
You gain 4 raw before it slows down, and 2 raw+jpeg
a900, 5/3 fps, unlimited JPEG, 12 RAW, 10 RAW+JPEG images
a850, 3 fps, unlimited JPEG, 16 RAW, 12 RAW+JPEG images
Tom
I addressed your question in the article.
Covering 100% for full frame use is vastly expensive, by dropping that number down to 98% saves a lot of cost of development.
If you are referring to the quality of the viewfinder itself, I couldn't discern any difference. Its just as big and bright by my eye.
Carl
Maybe silly question, but
Maybe silly question, but was the shutter/mirror noise any quieter/different in the a850? ..since it is a little different?
One more... based on cost vs what you get... Carl in your humble opinion... if bothe bodies a900 and a850 were available today, which one would you go for? a850 and spend cash on lens/VG or still go with a900?
Sounded the same to me
I didn't notice any difference. I should also have one on Tuesday. I'll do a limited review ( no reason to do anything extensive as we know the image quality aspects right?) on it.
Good question, its not easy since my decision was based on the fact that I wanted the best optical viewfinder available. Knowing I get 100% framing is worth the A900 cost for me. Also, having tried the A900 out on shooting moving objects such as my occassional birding quest, I can attest that I do in fact like the extra fast frame rate.
Since I have an "allowance" for photo products, the extra 700 dollars is worth it to me, personally.
However, If I didn't have the freedoms I do concerning monitary allowance, and had to choose based on the fact that I'd only have one body only.... I'd get the A850 and new 28-75mm f/2.8 SAM lens/Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, then back it up with the Tamron 70-300mm LD Macro for budget. I don't do vertical grips because of the type of shooting I normally endulge myself in.
Don't know if that helps or not, but its what'd I'd do in that circumstance.
Carl
Ok I think I see where you
Ok I think I see where you addressed it now. But I was thinking that maybe a cheaper mirror mechanism might dictate a slower speed thus a lose in fps..
Far as I understand
A850 has the exact same shutter unit as the A900 with the same 100,000 cycle rating, and that the mirror mechanism is the same. Its the new pentaprism unit that saves all the cost.
Carl
A850 Availability
This should not go unnoticed. Official announcement yesterday, offered for sale on SonyStyle today. Ships Monday. My order ships to me Monday.
It wasn't
http://www.alphamountworld.com/forums/sony-alpha-a900-and-a850-dslrs/sony-alpha-a850-available-sonystyle-usa/2009-8/4065
Good stuff, that was a shocker as well. Good for Sony.
The pentaprism unit that
The pentaprism unit that saves all the cost. How were the 2 fps lost?
Good question
:)
I don't know yet, or if I will know, but when I do, you will.
C
Ordered mine, this AM
I figured there was absolutely no point in waiting any longer. With the VG-C90AM totally compatible .. there was no waiting for "the grip", like there had been with the A900 and the A700, when they were released. So waiting would actually be kind of silly, because stock on these VGs is probably going to be limited, after a month or so.
Also ... got a 4-yr "Anti-droppage" policy and 15% off the accessory (VG-C90AM) because of the new camera purchase. I believe my A700's "Remote Commander" (I believe they are generic) should work with the camera ... whatever ... we shall see. It ships on Monday (8/31), also.
Go FF or ... go home. LOL Why not? It's now cheap enough!
Congrats Don
Also, your remote commander from your A700 will work on the A850 unless they changed something new. I have two RC's and I've mixed them up long ago, couldn't tell you which is which but both work for either camera.
Carl
In a couple years when this
In a couple years when this hits $1200, I'll be all over it. :)
We now have the Alpha A850
So as stated I will do an article. Still waiting for the 500/550 so hopefully an article on this will placate some until I get down and dirty with those cameras.
Cheers,
Carl
Sony 28-75mm SAM
cgarrard, did you test this new lens??
Do you think is it faster than screw motor??
I was able to shoot a few shots with it briefly.
The SAM motor feels pretty quick. Hard to say though without a side by side with the Tamron version on the same body using the body motor.
It seemed quiet and quick focusing to me anyways. Also a step above build wise than the lower end SAM lenses.
Carl
The construction look good
The construction look good and if the speed and image quality are good I wil buy it...
I have been lookig a fast lens and the Tamron was my target.
ritzcamera.com has it in
ritzcamera.com has it in stock... 1999 with free shipping and no tax... trying to keep my finger away from the "add to cart..."