Sony a77 vs Nikon D90

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a77 and Nikon D90. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Sony a77

Nikon D90

Manufacturing

Sony a77 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D90 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a77 were released 2011 and Nikon D90 was released 2008. That is a 3 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera	Released
Sony a77	2011
Nikon D90	2008

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a77 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 a77	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 a77 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 a77	24 MP 24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000
Nikon D90	12,3 MP 12212224 pixels 4288 x 2848

Sony a77 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 a77 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D90. Sony a77 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Nikon D90 has 200 to 6400.

Camera	ISO Range
Sony a77	100-16000
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 a77
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 a77 can shoot up to 12 pictures per seconds and Nikon D90 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera	FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a77	12
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 a77 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.

Sony a77 weighs 732 gr (equal to 1.61 lb) which is 4% heavier than Nikon D90 and its 703 gr (or 1.55 lb).

Camera	Weight
Sony a77	732 gr 1.61 lb
Nikon D90	703 gr 1.55 lb