Sony a290 vs Nikon D5200

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a290 and Nikon D5200. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a290 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5200 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a290 were released 2010 and Nikon D5200 was released 2012. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a290 2010
Nikon D5200 2012

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 D5200 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 D5200 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 D5200 has 24 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 D5200 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Nikon D5200 has a 71 % larger resolution than Sony a290. 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 D5200 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a290. Nikon D5200 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 6400 while Sony a290 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a290 100-3200
Nikon D5200 100-6400

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a290 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5200 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5200 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a290
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5200

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 D5200 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a290 2,5
Nikon D5200 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 D5200. Sadly, the Sony a290 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 D5200 weighs 555 gr (equal to 1.22 lb) which is 1% heavier than Sony a290 and its 549 gr (or 1.21 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a290 549 gr
1.21 lb
Nikon D5200 555 gr
1.22 lb

Sony a290 vs Nikon D5200 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a290 and Nikon D5200, 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 D5200
Name Sony a290 Nikon D5200
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a290
Nikon D5200
Release Year 2010 2012
Release Date 2010-06-09 2012-11-06
MSRP 499 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a290
Nikon D5200
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a290
Nikon D5200
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 CMOS
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 24 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 3
Image
Sony a290
Nikon D5200
ISO Range 100 - 3200 100 - 6400
White Balance Presets 6 12
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 D5200
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 39
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 D5200
Articulated LCD Fixed Fully articulated
Screen size 2.7” 3”
Screen dots 230400 921
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT LCD monitor
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) 0.78× (0.52× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a290
Nikon D5200
Frames per second 2,5 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
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 D5200
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a290
Nikon D5200
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a290
Nikon D5200
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Optional
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional ML-L3 or WR-R10)
GPS No Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Sony a290
Nikon D5200
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL14 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 290 shots 500 shots
Width 128 mm 129 mm
Height 97 mm 98 mm
Depth 86 mm 78 mm
Weight 549 gram 555 gram