Drop an ARW RAW file from your Sony Alpha 850 and get the shutter actuation count in seconds — processed entirely in your browser. The DSLR-A850 stores its shutter count in unencrypted MakerNote tag 0x014a.
Check Shutter Count →The Sony Alpha 850 (DSLR-A850, September 2009) was Sony's prosumer full-frame A-mount DSLR, launched as a more affordable companion to the flagship Alpha 900. Both share the same remarkable 24.6 MP full-frame CMOS sensor with in-body Super SteadyShot IBIS — an uncommon feature in full-frame DSLRs of the era. The A850 accepts the complete A-mount lens lineup including legacy Minolta AF glass. Compared to the A900, the A850 trades the larger 100% viewfinder for a 98% coverage finder, offers a single CF/SD combo card slot instead of dual CF slots, and runs at a lower 3 fps burst rate — all to achieve a substantially lower price point for full-frame image quality.
Sony rates the Alpha 850 mechanical shutter at 150,000 actuations.
| Model | Release | Sensor | Rated Shutter Life | RAW Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Alpha 850 (DSLR-A850) | 2009 | 24.6 MP full-frame CMOS | 150,000 actuations | ARW |
| Sony Alpha 900 (DSLR-A900) (flagship sibling) | 2008 | 24.6 MP full-frame CMOS | 150,000 actuations | ARW |
| Sony Alpha 700 (DSLR-A700) (APS-C predecessor) | 2007 | 12.2 MP APS-C CMOS | 100,000 actuations | ARW |
| Actuation Count | % of Rated Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 15,000 | 0 – 10 % | Very low use — near new |
| 15,000 – 60,000 | 10 – 40 % | Low to moderate use |
| 60,000 – 112,500 | 40 – 75 % | Moderate to heavy use |
| 112,500 – 142,500 | 75 – 95 % | High use — negotiate price |
| 142,500 + | 95 %+ | Near or past rated life |
The A850's 150,000-actuation rating reflects its prosumer pedigree. Used bodies with moderate counts remain attractive for photographers who want full-frame resolution with in-body stabilisation and A-mount lens compatibility, at a fraction of the original purchase price.
The Alpha 850 uses unencrypted Sony MakerNote tag 0x014a for the shutter count — the same tag used across the entire A100–A900 DSLR series. ShutterCount parses the ARW TIFF structure, locates this tag, and reads the counter directly. No cipher or decryption is needed.
Yes. The Alpha 850 includes Sony's Super SteadyShot IBIS system in the camera body, providing shake reduction for every A-mount lens attached — including legacy Minolta AF glass that has no optical stabilisation of its own. This was a significant advantage over competing full-frame DSLRs of the era, which required stabilised lenses.
Yes. The A850 uses the Sony A-mount, which is mechanically and electronically compatible with Minolta AF (Maxxum / Dynax) lenses from 1985 onward. Super SteadyShot stabilisation works with all A-mount lenses, and the full-frame sensor takes full advantage of lenses designed for 35 mm film coverage.