Sony a290 vs Nikon D800

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a290 and Nikon D800. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a290 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D800 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a290 were released 2010 and Nikon D800 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 D800 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 D800 has a "Nikon FX"-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 D800 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** 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 D800 has 36,3 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 D800 36,3 MP
36152320 pixels
7360 x 4912

Nikon D800 has a 158 % 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 D800 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a290. Nikon D800 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a290 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a290 100-3200
Nikon D800 100-25600

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 D800

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 D800 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a290 2,5
Nikon D800 6

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 D800. 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 D800 weighs 900 gr (equal to 1.98 lb) which is 64% heavier than Sony a290 and its 549 gr (or 1.21 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a290 549 gr
1.21 lb
Nikon D800 900 gr
1.98 lb

Sony a290 vs Nikon D800 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a290 and Nikon D800, 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 D800
Name Sony a290 Nikon D800
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a290
Nikon D800
Release Year 2010 2012
Release Date 2010-06-09 2012-02-07
MSRP 499 USD 2999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a290
Nikon D800
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a290
Nikon D800
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 4592 x 3056 pixels 7360 x 4912 pixels
Megapixels 14 MP 36,3 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 3
Image
Sony a290
Nikon D800
ISO Range 100 - 3200 100 - 25600
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 D800
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 51
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
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a290
Nikon D800
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2.7” 3,2”
Screen dots 230400 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a290
Nikon D800
Frames per second 2,5 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 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
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a290
Nikon D800
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 D800
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a290
Nikon D800
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Optional with Nikon Wireless Transmitter for D800 (WT-4A)
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional, wired or wireless)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a290
Nikon D800
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 290 shots 900 shots
Width 128 mm 146 mm
Height 97 mm 123 mm
Depth 86 mm 82 mm
Weight 549 gram 900 gram