Clicky

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A230

Portability
65
Imaging
52
Features
50
Overall
51
Nikon D5000 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Nikon D5000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 590g - 127 x 104 x 80mm
  • Revealed June 2009
  • Old Model is Nikon D60
  • Updated by Nikon D5100
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A200
  • Renewed by Sony A290
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A230 Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Nikon D5000 and Sony A230, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the D5000 (12MP) and the A230 (10MP) is relatively close and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The D5000 was manufactured very close to the A230 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summary of how the D5000 matches up versus the A230 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D5000 over the Sony A230

 D5000 A230 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Nikon D5000

 A230 D5000 

Common features in the Nikon D5000 and Sony A230

 D5000 A230 
IntroducedJune 2009May 2009Same generation
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon D5000 provides exterior measurements of 127mm x 104mm x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") with a weight of 590 grams (1.30 lbs) while the Sony A230 has measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D5000 and Sony A230 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the D5000 versus the A230.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D5000 and A230 is 65 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing only by researching specifications. The visual below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the D5000 and A230.

To sum up, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should count on the Nikon D5000 to render greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5000 Portrait photography advice
Sony A230 Portrait photography advice
63
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
54
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
low resolution (10 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D5000 Street photography advice
Sony A230 Street photography advice
66
screen articulates fully
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Nikon D5000 Sports photography info
Sony A230 Sports photography info
42
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
bad battery life (510 CIPA)
46
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
low battery pack (230 per charge)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Nikon D5000 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A230 as a Travel photography camera
56
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
bad battery life (510 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
45
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery pack (230 CIPA)
low resolution (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5000 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A230 as a Landscape photography camera
52
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (510 per charge)
51
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no liveview feature
low resolution (10 megapixels)
low battery pack (230 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5000 Vlogging information
Sony A230 Vlogging information
52
selfie friendly display
supports face detect autofocus
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
9
can't shoot video
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5000 and Sony A230
 Nikon D5000Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D5000 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-06-12 2009-05-18
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 2848 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 17.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 590g (1.30 lbs) 490g (1.08 lbs)
Dimensions 127 x 104 x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 63
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 11.4
DXO Low light score 868 531
Other
Battery life 510 shots 230 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL9a NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at release $630 $569