Sony a58 vs Nikon D5500
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a58 and Nikon D5500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a58 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5500 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a58 were released 2013 and Nikon D5500 was released 2015. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a58 | 2013 |
Nikon D5500 | 2015 |
Type of camera
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a58 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 a58 | 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 a58 has a 20 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 a58 |
20 MP
19816192 pixels 5456 x 3632 |
Nikon D5500 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Nikon D5500 has a 21 % larger resolution than Sony a58. 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 a58. Nikon D5500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Sony a58 has 100 to 16000.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a58 | 100-16000 |
Nikon D5500 | 100-25600 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
There is a big difference between these two cameras. Sony a58 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 a58
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 a58 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 a58 | 5 |
Nikon D5500 | 5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a58 and Nikon D5500 can shoot movies.
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 a58 weighs 492 gr (equal to 1.08 lb) which is 17% heavier than Nikon D5500 and its 420 gr (or 0.93 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a58 | 492 gr 1.08 lb |
Nikon D5500 | 420 gr 0.93 lb |
Sony a58 vs Nikon D5500 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a58 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 a58 |
Nikon D5500 |
Name | Sony a58 | Nikon D5500 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a58 |
Nikon D5500 |
Release Year | 2013 | 2015 |
Release Date | 2013-02-20 | 2015-01-06 |
MSRP | 599 USD | 899 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a58 |
Nikon D5500 |
Camera Type | SLT | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a58 |
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 | 5456 x 3632 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Megapixels | 20 MP | 24 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 4 |
Image |
Sony a58 |
Nikon D5500 |
ISO Range | 100 - 16000 | 100 - 25600 |
White Balance Presets | 9 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Optical SteadyShot INSIDE) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a58 |
Nikon D5500 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | No |
Autofocus |
Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Tracking 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 | 15 | 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 a58 |
Nikon D5500 |
Articulated LCD | Fully articulated | Fully articulated |
Screen size | 2.7” | 3,2” |
Screen dots | 460000 | 1037000 |
Touch screen | No | Yes |
Screen type | N/A | TFT LCD Monitor |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 95% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.82× (0.51× 35mm equiv.) | |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | 0 |
Photography features |
Sony a58 |
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 | 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 |
Exposure Compensation | N/A | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a58 |
Nikon D5500 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 AVCHD |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a58 |
Nikon D5500 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a58 |
Nikon D5500 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
Yes Built-In |
Remote Control | Yes (Optional) |
Yes (MC-DC2 (wired), WR-1/WR-R10 (wireless))
|
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a58 |
Nikon D5500 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
|
EN-EL14 / EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 690 shots | 820 shots |
Width | 129 mm | 124 mm |
Height | 95 mm | 97 mm |
Depth | 78 mm | 70 mm |
Weight | 492 gram | 420 gram |