Sony Alpha DSLRA850 24.6MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Sony Alpha DSLRA850 24.6MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Review
The Sony A850 is an awesome camera, as long as you know what to look for in a camera system. You just aren’t buying the body, you have to buy the glass 
That said, when I was deciding to move up to full frame, I had to make a decision: Did I stick with Nikon, or try Sony? Well, I went with the A850 and I’m glad I did. It’s a great camera.
I got myself the A850, the Carl Zeiss 24-70 f/2.8, and the Sony 70-400G and 58AM flash. Although the review covers the camera, realize I’m using these items with the body.
BUILD:
Solid feel throughout, with a very positive grip on the right. Command wheels “click” firmly, unlike cheaper builds that will be accidentally turned. Viewfinder is awesome, big, bright. Most buttons are within easy reach, except the ISO and WB buttons on the upper-right. I also don’t like the optical preview button orientation (I prefer to press the button towards my body instead of inward towards the lens), but a small niggle. Once you pick up the A850, you know you’re holding a solid piece of machinery. CF & battery doors seem to lack any sealing, so I’d be hesitant to take this out in any more than a very light drizzle. Rubber covers on the ports of the camera are very well-designed and actually hinge out, as opposed to flopping around like almost every other camera on the planet. CF door opens and stops at 90 degrees to the camera body - more is needed, as it makes getting out a CF card too hard for larger fingers.
OPERATION:
Overall, it’s a camera that just gets out of your way, which is a compliment. First, some quibbles: There’s no ISO listed in the VF display unless you’re in the process of changing it. The AF points don’t cover as much as the frame as I’d like (common complaint among FF DSLRs). Mirror slap is a noticeable “THUNK-THUNK”, so don’t think you’ll be taking spy pictures with this any time soon.
Onto a couple of more important gripes:
No onboard flash, which really hurts for not having wireless flash triggering built-in. There is no “AF-ON” button like you find on Canon or Nikon bodies - Instead, Sony uses a button that can be used to toggle AF/MF, or switch to a central focus point, etc. but nothing exactly like the AF-ON operation from other cameras. Finally, using the “Quick-Navi” to change settings is a bit annoying, in that you can’t change multiple settings at once - you have to reenter Quick-Navi each time. Not really time-consuming, as the button is right near your right thumb, but annoying.
Now the good stuff: The camera just works I love the SteadyShot meter in the VF, which shows you relative camera shake and lets you take a shot with minimal shake. Although I miss AF-ON, I do like AF-MF quick button, which lets me quickly take over focus when I need to. I also like the way the camera will illuminate AF points when you’re in AF-C mode and using “Wide” AF points (the camera chooses the AF points). AF speed is adequately fast, though it can have trouble in very dim lights.
IMAGE QUALITY
Ultimately, the reason I bought into Sony. The image quality is amazing. Colors are outstanding. Detail is definitely there. I can crop for days and still end up with a large, high-detail file. I can (and do) print large, which was a deciding factor over the D700 (I did not consider the 5DII, as I dislike Canon controls).
I was initially really worried about the noise of the camera, that is until I read a blog from a wedding photographer that had recently switched to Sony. He gave good advice - Look at your images and really see if you *need* high ISO. I think high ISO has become the want-all, end-all criteria for buying a camera body, which is a shame. How about image quality? Ergonomics? Value? Lots of things to consider, although high ISO is nice to have.
For me, up to ISO 1600 is fine, and a well-exposed ISO 3200 looks pretty good. Interestingly enough, I’ve actually found myself almost completely ignoring luminance NR and only applying small amounts (15% slider in Lightroom 3) of chroma NR and images look very good! Maybe it’s because of the “film-like” quality, but I actually enjoy having some grain in my images.
Also, the camera seems to underexpose anywhere from 0.3 to 0.7 EV - knowing to do a little ETTR really helps with noise and IQ in general.
SUMMARY:
Overall, a great camera (system). I like how the body performs, and I like the glass I can attach to it. It’s not perfect, of course (what camera is?), but for 00 you get a high-quality full-frame camera with loads of megapixels. If this suits what you shoot (which it does for me), then take a strong look at the A850.
Sony Alpha DSLRA850 24.6MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Feature
- 35mm, full-frame 24.6-megapixel Exmor CMOS image sensor; SteadyShot INSIDE in-camera image stabilization
- Body only; lenses sold separately
- Dual BIONZ processors for up to fast 3fps performance; 9-point AF system w/ additional 10-point assist
- Rugged magnesium alloy shell; dust/moisture-resistant design
- Dual card slots; accepts both CompactFlash and Memory Stick Duo Media (not included)
Sony Alpha DSLRA850 24.6MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Overview
Inheriting technology and design from the flagship a900, the a850 places the 24.6-megapixel resolution of the 35mm full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor as well as the stunning response and imaging performance of Dual BIONZ processing engines in the hands of more discerning photographers whose skills and vision deserve the best. If only superior detail, natural color and gradation, intuitive handling, and outstanding fit-and-finish will do, this is the camera for you. This is a camera for the serious photographer? Whether you’re serious about artistic expression, professional quality, or simply photographic enjoyment, the a850 will help you take your images to the next level. The dream of image quality approaching medium-format standards with digital SLR handling and speed is finally within reach.
Sony Alpha DSLRA850 24.6MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Specifications
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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jan 30, 2010 05:25:13