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.

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

Sony a77 vs Nikon D90 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a77 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 a77
Nikon D90
Name Sony a77 Nikon D90
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a77
Nikon D90
Release Year 2011 2008
Release Date 2011-08-24 2008-08-27
MSRP 1399 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a77
Nikon D90
Camera Type SLT DSLR
Sensor
Sony a77
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 Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Sony a77
Nikon D90
ISO Range 100 - 16000 200 - 6400
White Balance Presets 8 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 a77
Nikon D90
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 19 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 a77
Nikon D90
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.) 0.96× (0.64× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a77
Nikon D90
Frames per second 12 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 +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a77
Nikon D90
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
MPEG4
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Sony a77
Nikon D90
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a77
Nikon D90
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (Optional ML-L3 or MC-DC2)
GPS Yes
Built-in
Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Sony a77
Nikon D90
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 470 shots 850 shots
Width 143 mm 132 mm
Height 104 mm 103 mm
Depth 81 mm 77 mm
Weight 732 gram 703 gram