Sony a500 vs Nikon D7000
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a500 and Nikon D7000. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a500 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D7000 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a500 were released 2009 and Nikon D7000 was released 2010. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a500 | 2009 |
Nikon D7000 | 2010 |
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 D7000 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 D7000 | 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 D7000 has 16,2 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 D7000 |
16,2 MP
16084992 pixels 4928 x 3264 |
Nikon D7000 has a 32 % 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 D7000 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a500. Nikon D7000 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 D7000 | 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 a500
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D7000
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 D7000 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a500 | 5 |
Nikon D7000 | 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 D7000. 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.
Nikon D7000 weighs 780 gr (equal to 1.72 lb) which is 24% heavier than Sony a500 and its 630 gr (or 1.39 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a500 | 630 gr 1.39 lb |
Nikon D7000 | 780 gr 1.72 lb |
Sony a500 vs Nikon D7000 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a500 and Nikon D7000, 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 D7000 |
Name | Sony a500 | Nikon D7000 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D7000 |
Release Year | 2009 | 2010 |
Release Date | 2009-08-27 | 2010-09-15 |
MSRP | 549 USD | 1200 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D7000 |
Camera Type | DSLR | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D7000 |
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 | 4928 x 3264 pixels |
Megapixels | 12 MP | 16,2 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 2 |
Image |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D7000 |
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 D7000 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
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 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 D7000 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 230000 | 921000 |
Touch screen | No | No |
Screen type | N/A | TFT LCD monitor |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) | 0.95× (0.63× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D7000 |
Frames per second | 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 | 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 Average |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D7000 |
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 D7000 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D7000 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless | No |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
Remote Control | Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional)) | Yes (Optional, wired or wireless) |
GPS | No |
Yes Optional |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a500 |
Nikon D7000 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL15 rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 520 shots | 1050 shots |
Width | 137 mm | 132 mm |
Height | 104 mm | 105 mm |
Depth | 84 mm | 77 mm |
Weight | 630 gram | 780 gram |