Sony a290 vs Nikon D80

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a290 and Nikon D80. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a290 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D80 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a290 were released 2010 and Nikon D80 was released 2006. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a290 2010
Nikon D80 2006

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 D80 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 D80 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 D80 has 10 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 D80 10 MP
10036224 pixels
3872 x 2592

Sony a290 has a 40 % larger resolution than Nikon D80. 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

Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a290 100-3200
Nikon D80 100-3200

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 D80

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 D80 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a290 2,5
Nikon D80 3

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Sony a290 or Nikon D80 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 D80 weighs 668 gr (equal to 1.47 lb) which is 22% heavier than Sony a290 and its 549 gr (or 1.21 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a290 549 gr
1.21 lb
Nikon D80 668 gr
1.47 lb

Sony a290 vs Nikon D80 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a290 and Nikon D80, 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 D80
Name Sony a290 Nikon D80
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a290
Nikon D80
Release Year 2010 2006
Release Date 2010-06-09 2006-08-09
MSRP 499 USD 999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a290
Nikon D80
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a290
Nikon D80
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 3872 x 2592 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 10 MP
Image Processor Bionz Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Sony a290
Nikon D80
ISO Range 100 - 3200 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Yes
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a290
Nikon D80
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 11
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 D80
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2.7” 2,5”
Screen dots 230400 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) 0.95× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a290
Nikon D80
Frames per second 2,5 fps 3 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 13 meters
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 D80
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 D80
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a290
Nikon D80
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional (ML-L3 or MC-DC1))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a290
Nikon D80
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
Nikon EN-EL3e Lithium-Ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 290 shots 600 shots
Width 128 mm 132 mm
Height 97 mm 103 mm
Depth 86 mm 77 mm
Weight 549 gram 668 gram