Sony a500 vs Nikon D780

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a500 and Nikon D780. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a500 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D780 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a500 were released 2009 and Nikon D780 was released 2020. That is a 11 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a500 2009
Nikon D780 2020

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 D780 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 a500 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D780 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 a500 has a 12 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D780 has 25 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 D780 25 MP
24337152 pixels
6048 x 4024

Nikon D780 has a 100 % 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 D780 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a500. Nikon D780 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Sony a500 has 200 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a500 200-12800
Nikon D780 100-51200

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 D780

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 D780 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a500 5
Nikon D780 12

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 D780. 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 D780 weighs 840 gr (equal to 1.85 lb) which is 33% heavier than Sony a500 and its 630 gr (or 1.39 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a500 630 gr
1.39 lb
Nikon D780 840 gr
1.85 lb

Sony a500 vs Nikon D780 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a500 and Nikon D780, 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 D780
Name Sony a500 Nikon D780
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a500
Nikon D780
Release Year 2009 2020
Release Date 2009-08-27 2020-01-07
MSRP 549 USD 2299 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a500
Nikon D780
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a500
Nikon D780
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 CMOS BSI-CMOS
Resolution 4272 x 2848 pixels 6048 x 4024 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 25 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 6
Image
Sony a500
Nikon D780
ISO Range 200 - 12800 100 - 51200
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 D780
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
Touch
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 a500
Nikon D780
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 3.2”
Screen dots 230000 2359000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Sony a500
Nikon D780
Frames per second 5 fps 12 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 900 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a500
Nikon D780
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution N/A 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony a500
Nikon D780
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a500
Nikon D780
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1)
Remote Control Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional)) Yes (via wired, wireless or smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a500
Nikon D780
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 520 shots 2260 shots
Width 137 mm 144 mm
Height 104 mm 116 mm
Depth 84 mm 76 mm
Weight 630 gram 840 gram