Sony a700 vs Nikon D90

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a700 and Nikon D90. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a700 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D90 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a700 were released 2007 and Nikon D90 was released 2008. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a700 2007
Nikon D90 2008

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a700 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 a700 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 a700 has a 12 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 a700 12 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848
Nikon D90 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Nikon D90 has a 0 % larger resolution than Sony a700. 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 D90 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a700. Nikon D90 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 6400 while Sony a700 has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a700 100-1600
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 a700
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 a700 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D90 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a700 5
Nikon D90 4,5

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 D90. Sadly, the Sony a700 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 a700 weighs 768 gr (equal to 1.69 lb) which is 9% heavier than Nikon D90 and its 703 gr (or 1.55 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a700 768 gr
1.69 lb
Nikon D90 703 gr
1.55 lb

Sony a700 vs Nikon D90 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a700 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 a700
Nikon D90
Name Sony a700 Nikon D90
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a700
Nikon D90
Release Year 2007 2008
Release Date 2007-09-06 2008-08-27
MSRP 1399 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a700
Nikon D90
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a700
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 4272 x 2848 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 12 MP 12,3 MP
Image Processor Bionz Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Sony a700
Nikon D90
ISO Range 100 - 1600 200 - 6400
White Balance Presets 7 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 a700
Nikon D90
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 11 11
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 a700
Nikon D90
Articulated LCD N/A Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 920000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 96%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.9× (0.6× 35mm equiv.) 0.96× (0.64× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a700
Nikon D90
Frames per second 5 fps 4,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters 17 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 +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a700
Nikon D90
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a700
Nikon D90
Memory Card Compact Flash
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a700
Nikon D90
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Wire (Optional)) Yes (Optional ML-L3 or MC-DC2)
GPS No Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Sony a700
Nikon D90
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion (NP-FM500H) & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 650 shots 850 shots
Width 142 mm 132 mm
Height 105 mm 103 mm
Depth 80 mm 77 mm
Weight 768 gram 703 gram