Sony a500 vs Nikon D50

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a500 and Nikon D50. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a500 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D50 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a500 were released 2009 and Nikon D50 was released 2005. That is a 4 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a500 2009
Nikon D50 2005

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a500 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D50 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 a500 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D50 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 a500 has a 12 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D50 has 6 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a500 12 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848
Nikon D50 6 MP
6016000 pixels
3008 x 2000

Sony a500 has a 102 % larger resolution than Nikon D50. 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 a500 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D50. Sony a500 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Nikon D50 has 200 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a500 200-12800
Nikon D50 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 a500
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D50

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D50 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a500 5
Nikon D50 2,5

Ability to record movies

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

Though, neither Sony a500 or Nikon D50 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.

Sony a500 weighs 630 gr (equal to 1.39 lb) which is 2% heavier than Nikon D50 and its 620 gr (or 1.37 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a500 630 gr
1.39 lb
Nikon D50 620 gr
1.37 lb

Sony a500 vs Nikon D50 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a500 and Nikon D50, 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 a500
Nikon D50
Name Sony a500 Nikon D50
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a500
Nikon D50
Release Year 2009 2005
Release Date 2009-08-27 2005-04-20
MSRP 549 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a500
Nikon D50
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a500
Nikon D50
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 CMOS CCD
Resolution 4272 x 2848 pixels 3008 x 2000 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 6 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED
Image
Sony a500
Nikon D50
ISO Range 200 - 12800 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 a500
Nikon D50
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
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 a500
Nikon D50
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 3” 2”
Screen dots 230000 130000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes No
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.75× (0.5× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a500
Nikon D50
Frames per second 5 fps 2,5 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 12 meters 11 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 1/2 EV, 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a500
Nikon D50
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 a500
Nikon D50
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a500
Nikon D50
HDMI Output Yes No
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional)) Yes (Optional (ML-L3))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a500
Nikon D50
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Nikon EN-EL3 Lithium-Ion & charger included
Battery Life (CIPA) 520 shots 400 shots
Width 137 mm 133 mm
Height 104 mm 102 mm
Depth 84 mm 76 mm
Weight 630 gram 620 gram