Sony a290 vs Nikon D1

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a290 and Nikon D1. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a290 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D1 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a290 were released 2010 and Nikon D1 was released 1999. That is a 11 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a290 2010
Nikon D1 1999

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a290 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D1 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 a290 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D1 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 a290 has a 14 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D1 has 2,7 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a290 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056
Nikon D1 2,7 MP
2624000 pixels
2000 x 1312

Sony a290 has a 435 % larger resolution than Nikon D1. 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

Sony a290 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D1. Sony a290 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 3200 while Nikon D1 has 200 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a290 100-3200
Nikon D1 200-1600

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 a290
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D1

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a290 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D1 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a290 2,5
Nikon D1 4,5

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Sony a290 or Nikon D1 can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

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 D1 weighs 1200 gr (equal to 2.65 lb) which is 119% heavier than Sony a290 and its 549 gr (or 1.21 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a290 549 gr
1.21 lb
Nikon D1 1200 gr
2.65 lb

Sony a290 vs Nikon D1 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a290 and Nikon D1, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a290
Nikon D1
Name Sony a290 Nikon D1
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a290
Nikon D1
Release Year 2010 1999
Release Date 2010-06-09 1999-06-15
MSRP 499 USD 4999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a290
Nikon D1
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a290
Nikon D1
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CCD CCD
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 2000 x 1312 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 2,7 MP
Image Processor Bionz Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Sony a290
Nikon D1
ISO Range 100 - 3200 200 - 1600
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a290
Nikon D1
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Focus Points 9 5
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a290
Nikon D1
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2.7” 2”
Screen dots 230400 130000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 96%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a290
Nikon D1
Frames per second 2,5 fps 4,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/16000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a290
Nikon D1
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony a290
Nikon D1
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a290
Nikon D1
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Supported
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a290
Nikon D1
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
Rechargeable EN-4 Ni-MH battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 290 shots N/A
Width 128 mm 157 mm
Height 97 mm 153 mm
Depth 86 mm 85 mm
Weight 549 gram 1200 gram