Sony a200 vs Nikon D90

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a200 and Nikon D90. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Sony a200

Nikon D90

Manufacturing

Sony a200 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D90 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2008.

Camera	Released
Sony a200	2008
Nikon D90	2008

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a200 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D90 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera	Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a200	75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D90	75 mm Nikon DX sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a200 has a 10 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D90 has 12,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera	Megapixels
Sony a200	10 MP 10036224 pixels 3872 x 2592
Nikon D90	12,3 MP 12212224 pixels 4288 x 2848

Nikon D90 has a 22 % larger resolution than Sony a200. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D90 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a200. Nikon D90 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 6400 while Sony a200 has 100 to 3200.

Camera	ISO Range
Sony a200	100-3200
Nikon D90	200-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a200
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D90

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a200 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D90 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a200	3
Nikon D90	4,5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

It is only one of these two cameras that support recording movies and movie clips and that is Nikon D90. Sadly, the Sony a200 does not support this.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D90 weighs 703 gr (equal to 1.55 lb) which is 23% heavier than Sony a200 and its 572 gr (or 1.26 lb).

Camera	Weight
Sony a200	572 gr 1.26 lb
Nikon D90	703 gr 1.55 lb