Sony A850 Evaluation

Warning this is a photo nerd article:

I recently bought a Sony a850. After 15 years of shooting Nikon this was a big adjustment (I still kept my Nikon D700). I evaluated this camera for about 3 weeks. There were times when I thought of selling and going with another Nikon . But after getting to know if I've decided its a wonderful camera and I'll keep it.

Compared to the D700:

1. Higher resolution allows bigger crops and enables to print billboard size prints if that's what you like to do. (Although resolution is not nearly as important as camera manufactures lead you to believe see:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm)

2. The most important thing a camera does is record color. This is far more important than resolution and even sharpness. The Sony a850 has pleasing colors that are very similar to the Nikon d700. Not surprising because Sony has been making Nikon's sensors for years.

3. Low Light, High ISO performance. This is also very important if you're a wedding or sports photographer. High ISO performance allows you to shoot images with relatively low noise in low light situation w/o a tripod. The Sony is ok at this giving good results up to 1600. The Nikon D700 blows the Sony away in this category. I regularly capture acceptable images at ISO 3200 with the Nikon. It is literally twice as good. But still the Sony is still pretty good at this.

4. Ergonomics: Nikon is the leader in the industry in ergonomics. Every Nikon Camera I've ever owned was easy to learn to use ( Excepting the ergonomics disaster that was the N70). Having said that the a850 isn't terrible in this category. The most annoying thing is adjusting the exposure compensation. You have to push the exposure comp button while simultaneously turning the the control dial with the same hand. Hard to do unless you happen to have a 6th finger. But despite this draw back overall is pretty good.

5. Image stabilization: The a850 has a sensor that provides image stabilization within the body. Most other camera manufactures, including Nikon, do not. Nikon and Cannon a few select lens that offer image stabilization. And even fewer lens if your shoot full frame. This limitation narrows your choice of lens and makes them more expensive. Meanwhile, any Sony/Minolta lens you buy will automatically have image stabilization in the Sony body. Which means you can buy a cheaper lens from 20 yrs ago and you're good. I have a 50mm 1.7 Minolta lens that cost $60 bucks. Sharpe as hell and image stabilized by Sony body. This is a huge advantage for the Sony.

6. Focusing system: The Nikon has 51 auto focus points in the view finder. It's accurate and fast so I rarely use manual selection of focus points. Actually never. The Sony only has 13 and isn't nearly as fast or accurate as the Nikon while in auto selection mode. So I almost always use the manual focus setting on the Sony. Which is fine if your subject is standing still. Not so good for sports, kids or wedding receptions. I only shoot the Nikon in those situations.

7. Shutter Speed: This is a clear advantage to the Nikon with 5 frames per second compared to the Sony at only 3 fps. Again the Nikon is better for moving things.

8. Build quality. Both have weather sealed aluminum bodies. Both feel rugged and heavy in your hand. Qualities you must have in professional photography. In the course of shooting a wedding or sporting event you will likely bang or even drop your camera. You don't want if falling to pieces on such occasions. Equally important is weather sealing. Don't shoot professionally without it. I've been rained on, fallen in creeks and been up to my chest in water shooting professionally. In each situation no sweat with a weather sealed body. Get one.

Conclusions: So which camera is best. Neither. Each is designed for different purposes. The Nikon D700 is designed to shoot low light fast moving situations where fast focusing and high ISO are possible. The Sony a850 is designed to shoot high resolution for portraits or landscapes when HUGE prints are needed. I use each respectively for these purposes. And don't be afraid to buy from two different camera manufactures. Its really not all that more expensive. And if you're married to one brand you may miss out on a great camera. Hope you enjoyed this terribly nerdy post.