Sony a900 vs Nikon D5

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a900 and Nikon D5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a900 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

** 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 a900 has a 25 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Sony a900 has a 18 % larger resolution than Nikon D5. 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 D5 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a900. Nikon D5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Sony a900 has 100 to 1600.

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 a900
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D5

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a900 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5 can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds.

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 D5. Sadly, the Sony a900 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.

Nikon D5 weighs 1415 gr (equal to 3.12 lb) which is 58% heavier than Sony a900 and its 895 gr (or 1.97 lb).

Sony a900 vs Nikon D5 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a900 and Nikon D5, 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 a900	Nikon D5
Name	Sony a900	Nikon D5
Manufacturer	Sony	Nikon
Release Date and Price	Sony a900	Nikon D5
Release Year	2008	2016
Release Date	2008-09-09	2016-01-05
MSRP	2999 USD	6499 USD
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Camera Type	Sony a900	Nikon D5
Camera Type	DSLR	DSLR
Sensor	Sony a900	Nikon D5
Sensor Size	Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm)	Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm) Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Resolution	6048 x 4032 pixels	5588 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels	25 MP	21 MP
Image Processor	Bionz	EXPEED 5
Image	Sony a900	Nikon D5
ISO Range	100 - 1600	100 - 102400
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 a900	Nikon D5
Autofocus Motor	Yes	Yes
Autofocus	Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Single Continuous	Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView
Focus Points	9	153
Lens Mount	Sony A See Compatible Lenses	Nikon F See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier	Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm	FX (Full frame) No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder	Sony a900	Nikon D5
Articulated LCD	Fixed	Fixed
Screen size	3”	3.2”
Screen dots	921600	2359000
Touch screen	No	Yes
Screen type	TFT Xtra Fine color LCD	TFT LCD
Live view	No	Yes
Viewfinder Type	Optical (pentaprism)	Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage	100%	100%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.74x	0.72×
Viewfinder Resolution	N/A	0
Photography features	Sony a900	Nikon D5
Frames per second	5 fps	14 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed	30 seconds	30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed	1/8000 seconds	1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash	No	No
Built-in Flash Range	N/A	N/A
External Flash	Yes	Yes
Self-Timer	Yes	Yes
Time-lapse	No	Yes
Metering modes	Multi Center Weighted Spot	Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps)	+/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features	Sony a900	Nikon D5
Video recording	No	Yes
Video format	N/A	MPEG4 H.264
Video resolution	N/A	1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone	No	Yes
Built-in Speakers	No	Yes
Storage	Sony a900	Nikon D5
Memory Card	Compact Flash Memory Stick Pro Duo	Compact Flash XQD
Connectivity	Sony a900	Nikon D5
HDMI Output	Yes	Yes
Microphone Port	No	Yes
Headphone Port	No	Yes
Wireless	No	Yes Optional with WT-5A or WT-6A
Remote Control	Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional))	Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone)
GPS	No	Yes Optional with GP-1A
Body & Dimensions	Sony a900	Nikon D5
Enviromentally sealed	Yes	Yes
Battery	Battery Pack	Battery Pack
Battery Details	Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger	EN-EL18a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	880 shots	3780 shots
Width	156 mm	160 mm
Height	117 mm	159 mm
Depth	82 mm	92 mm
Weight	895 gram	1415 gram