Sony a900 vs Nikon D90

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a900 and Nikon D90. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a900 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D90 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

These two camera models were both released 2008.

Camera Released
Sony a900 2008
Nikon D90 2008

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a900 has a "Sony Full Frame"-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 a900 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
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 a900 has a 25 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 a900 25 MP
24385536 pixels
6048 x 4032
Nikon D90 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Sony a900 has a 100 % 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

Nikon D90 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a900. Nikon D90 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 6400 while Sony a900 has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a900 100-1600
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 a900
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 a900 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D90 can shoot up to 4,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a900 5
Nikon D90 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 D90. 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 27% heavier than Nikon D90 and its 703 gr (or 1.55 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a900 895 gr
1.97 lb
Nikon D90 703 gr
1.55 lb

Sony a900 vs Nikon D90 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a900 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 a900
Nikon D90
Name Sony a900 Nikon D90
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a900
Nikon D90
Release Year 2008 2008
Release Date 2008-09-09 2008-08-27
MSRP 2999 USD 899 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a900
Nikon D90
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a900
Nikon D90
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6048 x 4032 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 25 MP 12,3 MP
Image Processor Bionz Nikon LSI (Large Scale Integration)
Image
Sony a900
Nikon D90
ISO Range 100 - 1600 200 - 6400
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 D90
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 11
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
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 a900
Nikon D90
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921600 920000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT Xtra Fine color LCD Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.74x 0.96× (0.64× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a900
Nikon D90
Frames per second 5 fps 4,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 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 +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a900
Nikon D90
Video recording No Yes
Video format N/A MPEG4
Video resolution N/A 1280 x 720
Built-in Microphone No Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a900
Nikon D90
Memory Card Compact Flash
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a900
Nikon D90
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) Yes (Optional ML-L3 or MC-DC2)
GPS No Yes
Optional
Body & Dimensions
Sony a900
Nikon D90
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 880 shots 850 shots
Width 156 mm 132 mm
Height 117 mm 103 mm
Depth 82 mm 77 mm
Weight 895 gram 703 gram