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Nikon D50 vs Sony A99

Portability
64
Imaging
44
Features
39
Overall
42
Nikon D50 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
70
Features
88
Overall
77

Nikon D50 vs Sony A99 Key Specs

Nikon D50
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 620g - 133 x 102 x 76mm
  • Released July 2005
  • Replacement is Nikon D40X
Sony A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Launched December 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A900
  • Successor is Sony A99 II
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Nikon D50 vs Sony A99 Overview

Following is a extensive assessment of the Nikon D50 vs Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the D50 (6MP) and A99 (24MP) and the D50 (APS-C) and A99 (Full frame) provide different sensor dimensions.

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The D50 was announced 8 years earlier than the A99 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the D50 matches up versus the A99 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D50 over the Sony A99

 D50 A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Nikon D50

 A99 D50 
LaunchedDecember 2012July 2005More modern by 89 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2"Bigger screen (+1")
Screen resolution1229k130kClearer screen (+1099k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D50 and Sony A99

 D50 A99 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Nikon D50 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon D50 features external measurements of 133mm x 102mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs) while the Sony A99 has proportions of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D50 vs Sony A99 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the D50 against the A99.

Nikon D50 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D50 and A99 is 64 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D50 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D50 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizes just by looking through technical specs. The image underneath will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the D50 and A99.

As you have seen, both the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The D50 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Sony A99 will provide you with greater detail with its extra 18 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged D50 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D50 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Nikon D50 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D50 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D50 Portrait photography advice
Sony A99 Portrait photography advice
53
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500 seconds)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
82
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D50
Street photography with Sony A99
58
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than average (620g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
75
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
very good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D50 Sports photography info
Sony A99 Sports photography info
38
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
has phase detect AF
not so great battery life (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D50 Travel photography factors
Sony A99 Travel photography factors
50
lighter than average (620 grams)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
environment proof
MP count good (24MP)
selfie friendly screen
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (500 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D50 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A99 as a Landscape photography camera
46
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is small (2 inches)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
75
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
not so great battery life (500 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D50 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A99 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
76
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic port
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Nikon D50 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D50 and Sony A99
 Nikon D50Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D50 Sony SLT-A99
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2005-07-23 2012-12-12
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.5mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 367.4mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3008 x 2000 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 1600 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 19
Cross focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 130k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.5x 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 11.00 m no built-in flash
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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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) 812g (1.79 lbs)
Physical dimensions 133 x 102 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 89
DXO Color Depth score 20.9 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 14.0
DXO Low light score 560 1555
Other
Battery life - 500 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL3 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD card Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Storage slots Single 2
Cost at release $499 $1,998