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Nikon D50 vs Sony A55

Portability
64
Imaging
44
Features
39
Overall
42
Nikon D50 front
 
Sony SLT-A55 front
Portability
67
Imaging
56
Features
80
Overall
65

Nikon D50 vs Sony A55 Key Specs

Nikon D50
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 620g - 133 x 102 x 76mm
  • Announced July 2005
  • Later Model is Nikon D40X
Sony A55
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Released August 2010
  • Later Model is Sony A57
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Nikon D50 vs Sony A55 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Nikon D50 and Sony A55, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Nikon and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the D50 (6MP) and A55 (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D50 was unveiled 6 years earlier than the A55 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon D50 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the D50 grades versus the A55 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D50 over the Sony A55

 D50 A55 

Reasons to pick Sony A55 over the Nikon D50

 A55 D50 
ReleasedAugust 2010July 2005More recent by 61 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3"2"Bigger screen (+1")
Screen resolution921k130kSharper screen (+791k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon D50 and Sony A55

 D50 A55 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Nikon D50 vs Sony A55 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D50 offers outer measurements of 133mm x 102mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") having a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs) and the Sony A55 has proportions of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D50 and Sony A55 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the D50 and the A55.

Nikon D50 vs Sony A55 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D50 and A55 is 64 and 67 respectively.

Nikon D50 vs Sony A55 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D50 vs Sony A55 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to see the gap between sensor measurements purely by looking at technical specs. The visual here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the D50 and A55.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Sony A55 to give extra detail having an extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The older D50 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D50 vs Sony A55 sensor size comparison

Nikon D50 vs Sony A55 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D50 vs Sony A55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D50 Portrait photography factors
Sony A55 Portrait photography factors
53
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/500 seconds)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
73
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon D50 Street photography highlights
Sony A55 Street photography highlights
58
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (620 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
77
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D50 Sports photography highlights
Sony A55 Sports photography highlights
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
terrible battery life (380 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D50 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A55 as a Travel photography camera
50
lighter than average in class (620 grams)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
62
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (380 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D50 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A55 as a Landscape photography camera
46
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2")
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
no Time Lapse function
67
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
terrible battery life (380 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D50 Vlogging information
Sony A55 Vlogging information
9
can't record video
78
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone jack
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Nikon D50 vs Sony A55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D50 and Sony A55
 Nikon D50Sony SLT-A55
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D50 Sony SLT-A55
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2005-07-23 2010-08-24
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.5mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 367.4mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3008 x 2000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 2" 3"
Resolution of screen 130k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.5x 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 11.00 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 620g (1.37 lbs) 500g (1.10 lbs)
Dimensions 133 x 102 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 73
DXO Color Depth score 20.9 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 12.4
DXO Low light score 560 816
Other
Battery life - 380 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $499 $800