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Nikon D500 vs Sony A900

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
66
Features
62
Overall
64

Nikon D500 vs Sony A900 Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Launched January 2016
  • Old Model is Nikon D300S
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Revealed October 2008
  • Later Model is Sony A99
Photography Glossary

Nikon D500 vs Sony A900 Overview

Below is a thorough overview of the Nikon D500 versus Sony A900, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the D500 (21MP) and the A900 (25MP) is fairly close but the D500 (APS-C) and A900 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The D500 was brought out 7 years later than the A900 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the D500 grades vs the A900 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Sony A900

 D500 A900 
RevealedJanuary 2016October 2008More recent by 88 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2359k922kClearer display (+1437k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Nikon D500

 A900 D500 

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Sony A900

 D500 A900 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Nikon D500 vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon D500 features outside measurements of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) whilst the Sony A900 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

See the Nikon D500 versus Sony A900 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the D500 compared to the A900.

Nikon D500 vs Sony A900 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the D500 and A900 is 56 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor measurements merely by viewing technical specs. The photograph underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the D500 and A900.

As you have seen, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The D500 featuring a smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony A900 will result in greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics way more aggressively. The newer D500 is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon D500 vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D500
Portrait photography with Sony A900
79
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
71
focusing manually
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D500 Street photography details
Sony A900 Street photography details
68
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
provides touch to focus
weather proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D500 Sports photography highlights
Sony A900 Sports photography highlights
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
great battery power (1,240 CIPA)
comes with phase detect AF
no image stabilization
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
environment proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A900 as a Travel photography camera
68
great battery power (1,240 shots)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
provides touch to focus
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
54
environment proof
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D500
Landscape photography with Sony A900
77
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no low pass filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
great battery power (1,240 CIPA)
two card slots
no image stabilization
72
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
doesn't have liveview
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D500 Vlogging information
Sony A900 Vlogging information
31
touchscreen
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic socket
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
9
no video
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Nikon D500 vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Sony A900
 Nikon D500Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2016-01-05 2008-10-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 5 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 25MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5568 x 3712 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 51200 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 1640000 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 153 9
Cross focus points 99 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 2,359k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x 0.74x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 860 gr (1.90 lb) 895 gr (1.97 lb)
Physical dimensions 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 84 79
DXO Color Depth score 24.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 14.0 12.3
DXO Low light score 1324 1431
Other
Battery life 1240 images 880 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Storage slots Dual Dual
Price at launch $1,497 $2,736