Sony a6500 vs Nikon D90
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a6500 and Nikon D90. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a6500 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D90 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a6500 were released 2016 and Nikon D90 was released 2008. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a6500 | 2016 |
Nikon D90 | 2008 |
Type of camera
Sony a6500 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D90 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
Sensors / crop factor
These cameras have different sensors. Sony a6500 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D90 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 a6500 | 75 mm Sony APS-C sensor Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5 |
Nikon D90 | 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 a6500 has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D90 has 12,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a6500 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Nikon D90 |
12,3 MP
12212224 pixels 4288 x 2848 |
Sony a6500 has a 97 % larger resolution than Nikon D90. 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 a6500 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D90. Sony a6500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Nikon D90 has 200 to 6400.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a6500 | 100-25600 |
Nikon D90 | 200-6400 |
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 a6500
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D90
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a6500 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds and Nikon D90 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a6500 | 11 |
Nikon D90 | 4,5 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a6500 and Nikon D90 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.
Nikon D90 weighs 703 gr (equal to 1.55 lb) which is 55% heavier than Sony a6500 and its 453 gr (or 1 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a6500 | 453 gr 1 lb |
Nikon D90 | 703 gr 1.55 lb |
Sony a6500 vs Nikon D90 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a6500 and Nikon D90, 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 a6500 |
Nikon D90 |
Name | Sony a6500 | Nikon D90 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D90 |
Release Year | 2016 | 2008 |
Release Date | 2016-10-06 | 2008-08-27 |
MSRP | 1399 USD | 899 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D90 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | DSLR |
Sensor |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D90 |
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 | 6000 x 4000 pixels | 4288 x 2848 pixels |
Megapixels | 24 MP | 12,3 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz X | Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration) |
Image |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D90 |
ISO Range | 100 - 25600 | 200 - 6400 |
White Balance Presets | 8 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift (5-axis)) |
No |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D90 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Selective Single Point Single Continuous Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 425 | 11 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E 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 a6500 |
Nikon D90 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Fixed |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 921600 | 920000 |
Touch screen | Yes | No |
Screen type | TFT LCD | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 96% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 1.07× (0.71× 35mm equiv.) | 0.96× (0.64× 35mm equiv.) |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2359296 | N/A |
Photography features |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D90 |
Frames per second | 11 fps | 4,5 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 | 6 meters | 17 meters |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | Yes |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot |
Multi Center Weighted Spot |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D90 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 XAVC-S AVCHD |
MPEG4 |
Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
1280 x 720 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D90 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D90 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | No |
Headphone Port | No | No |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (802.11/b/g/n with NFC) |
Yes Eye-Fi Connected |
Remote Control | Yes (via smartphone) |
Yes (Optional ML-L3 or MC-DC2)
|
GPS | No |
Yes Optional |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a6500 |
Nikon D90 |
Enviromentally sealed | No | No |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FW50
|
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 350 shots | 850 shots |
Width | 120 mm | 132 mm |
Height | 67 mm | 103 mm |
Depth | 53 mm | 77 mm |
Weight | 453 gram | 703 gram |