Sony a500 vs Nikon D5500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a500 and Nikon D5500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a500 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5500 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a500 were released 2009 and Nikon D5500 was released 2015. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a500 2009
Nikon D5500 2015

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 D5500 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 D5500 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 D5500 has 24 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 D5500 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Nikon D5500 has a 97 % larger resolution than Sony a500. 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 D5500 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a500. Nikon D5500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a500 has 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a500 200-12800
Nikon D5500 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a500 has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D5500 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D5500 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 a500
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5500

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 D5500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a500 5
Nikon D5500 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 D5500. Sadly, the Sony a500 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.

Sony a500 weighs 630 gr (equal to 1.39 lb) which is 50% heavier than Nikon D5500 and its 420 gr (or 0.93 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a500 630 gr
1.39 lb
Nikon D5500 420 gr
0.93 lb

Sony a500 vs Nikon D5500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a500 and Nikon D5500, 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 D5500
Name Sony a500 Nikon D5500
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a500
Nikon D5500
Release Year 2009 2015
Release Date 2009-08-27 2015-01-06
MSRP 549 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a500
Nikon D5500
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a500
Nikon D5500
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 CMOS
Resolution 4272 x 2848 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 24 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 4
Image
Sony a500
Nikon D5500
ISO Range 200 - 12800 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 a500
Nikon D5500
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
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 a500
Nikon D5500
Articulated LCD Tilting Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3,2”
Screen dots 230000 1037000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A TFT LCD Monitor
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.82× (0.51× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Sony a500
Nikon D5500
Frames per second 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 12 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 a500
Nikon D5500
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 a500
Nikon D5500
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a500
Nikon D5500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Built-In
Remote Control Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional)) Yes (MC-DC2 (wired), WR-1/WR-R10 (wireless))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a500
Nikon D5500
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL14 / EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 520 shots 820 shots
Width 137 mm 124 mm
Height 104 mm 97 mm
Depth 84 mm 70 mm
Weight 630 gram 420 gram