Sony a230 vs Nikon D5

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a230 and Nikon D5. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a230 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D5 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a230 were released 2009 and Nikon D5 was released 2016. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a230 2009
Nikon D5 2016

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a230 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D5 has a "Nikon FX"-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 a230 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D5 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 a230 has a 10 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D5 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a230 10 MP
10036224 pixels
3872 x 2592
Nikon D5 21 MP
20742656 pixels
5588 x 3712

Nikon D5 has a 107 % larger resolution than Sony a230. 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 a230. Nikon D5 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Sony a230 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a230 100-3200
Nikon D5 100-102400

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 a230
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 a230 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D5 can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a230 2,5
Nikon D5 14

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 a230 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 189% heavier than Sony a230 and its 490 gr (or 1.08 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a230 490 gr
1.08 lb
Nikon D5 1415 gr
3.12 lb

Sony a230 vs Nikon D5 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a230 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 a230
Nikon D5
Name Sony a230 Nikon D5
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a230
Nikon D5
Release Year 2009 2016
Release Date 2009-05-18 2016-01-05
MSRP 549 USD 6499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a230
Nikon D5
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a230
Nikon D5
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 3872 x 2592 pixels 5588 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 10 MP 21 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 5
Image
Sony a230
Nikon D5
ISO Range 100 - 3200 100 - 102400
White Balance Presets 6 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 a230
Nikon D5
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
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 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
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 a230
Nikon D5
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 2.7” 3.2”
Screen dots 230400 2359000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.83× (0.55× 35mm equiv.) 0.72×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Sony a230
Nikon D5
Frames per second 2,5 fps 14 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters 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 +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a230
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 a230
Nikon D5
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
XQD
Connectivity
Sony a230
Nikon D5
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No Yes
Wireless No Yes
Optional with WT-5A or WT-6A
Remote Control Yes (wired, wireless, smartphone)
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1A
Body & Dimensions
Sony a230
Nikon D5
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL18a lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 230 shots 3780 shots
Width 128 mm 160 mm
Height 97 mm 159 mm
Depth 68 mm 92 mm
Weight 490 gram 1415 gram