Sony a900 vs Nikon Z5
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a900 and Nikon Z5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
Sony a900 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z5 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.
Sony a900 were released 2008 and Nikon Z5 was released 2020. That is a 12 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a900 | 2008 |
Nikon Z5 | 2020 |
Type of camera
Sony a900 is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z5 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.
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.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Sony a900 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Nikon Z5 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
** 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 Z5 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a900 |
25 MP
24385536 pixels 6048 x 4032 |
Nikon Z5 |
24 MP
24160256 pixels 6016 x 4016 |
Sony a900 has a 1 % larger resolution than Nikon Z5. 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 Z5 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a900. Nikon Z5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Sony a900 has 100 to 1600.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a900 | 100-1600 |
Nikon Z5 | 100-51200 |
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 Z5
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 Z5 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a900 | 5 |
Nikon Z5 | 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 Z5. 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.
Sony a900 weighs 895 gr (equal to 1.97 lb) which is 33% heavier than Nikon Z5 and its 675 gr (or 1.49 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a900 | 895 gr 1.97 lb |
Nikon Z5 | 675 gr 1.49 lb |
Sony a900 vs Nikon Z5 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a900 and Nikon Z5, 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 Z5 |
Name | Sony a900 | Nikon Z5 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Nikon |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a900 |
Nikon Z5 |
Release Year | 2008 | 2020 |
Release Date | 2008-09-09 | 2020-07-21 |
MSRP | 2999 USD | 1399 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a900 |
Nikon Z5 |
Camera Type | DSLR | Mirrorless |
Sensor |
Sony a900 |
Nikon Z5 |
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 | 6016 x 4016 pixels |
Megapixels | 25 MP | 24 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz | EXPEED 6 |
Image |
Sony a900 |
Nikon Z5 |
ISO Range | 100 - 1600 | 100 - 51200 |
White Balance Presets | 7 | 12 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Yes (Sensor Shift (5 axis)) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 0 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a900 |
Nikon Z5 |
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 | 273 |
Lens Mount |
Sony A See Compatible Lenses |
Nikon Z 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 Z5 |
Articulated LCD | Fixed | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3.2” |
Screen dots | 921600 | 1040000 |
Touch screen | No | Yes |
Screen type | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD | TFT LCD |
Live view | No | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 200% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.74x | 0.8x |
Viewfinder Resolution | N/A | 3689400 |
Photography features |
Sony a900 |
Nikon Z5 |
Frames per second | 5 fps | 4,5 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, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a900 |
Nikon Z5 |
Video recording | No | Yes |
Video format | N/A |
MPEG4 H.264 |
Video resolution | N/A |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
Built-in Microphone | No | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | No | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a900 |
Nikon Z5 |
Memory Card |
Compact Flash Memory Stick Pro Duo |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a900 |
Nikon Z5 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | No | Yes |
Headphone Port | No | Yes |
Wireless | No |
Yes Built-in (802.11ac (dual band) + Bluetooth) |
Remote Control | Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) | Yes (via smartphone) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a900 |
Nikon Z5 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
|
EN-EL15c lithium-ion battery & charger
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 880 shots | 470 shots |
Width | 156 mm | 134 mm |
Height | 117 mm | 101 mm |
Depth | 82 mm | 70 mm |
Weight | 895 gram | 675 gram |