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Nikon D5000 vs Sony A290

Portability
65
Imaging
51
Features
50
Overall
50
Nikon D5000 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Nikon D5000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 590g - 127 x 104 x 80mm
  • Introduced June 2009
  • Superseded the Nikon D60
  • Newer Model is Nikon D5100
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Earlier Model is Sony A230
Photography Glossary

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A290 Overview

Below is a in-depth overview of the Nikon D5000 and Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The resolution of the D5000 (12MP) and the A290 (14MP) is very comparable and they feature the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The D5000 was announced 12 months earlier than the A290 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the D5000 scores against the A290 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5000 over the Sony A290

 D5000 A290 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Nikon D5000

 A290 D5000 
ReleasedJune 2010June 2009More recent by 12 months

Common features in the Nikon D5000 and Sony A290

 D5000 A290 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display size
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Nikon D5000 provides external dimensions of 127mm x 104mm x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") and a weight of 590 grams (1.30 lbs) and the Sony A290 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D5000 and Sony A290 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the D5000 against the A290.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the D5000 and A290 is 65 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements simply by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the D5000 and A290.

As you can see, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony A290 to show more detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The older D5000 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5000 Portrait photography features
Sony A290 Portrait photography features
62
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
65
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5000 Street photography info
Sony A290 Street photography info
65
screen articulates
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5000 Sports photography details
Sony A290 Sports photography details
42
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (510 shots)
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
not so great battery pack (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5000 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A290 as a Travel photography camera
56
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery pack (510 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
53
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (290 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D5000
Landscape photography with Sony A290
51
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (510 CIPA)
58
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
not so great battery pack (290 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5000 Vlogging factors
Sony A290 Vlogging factors
52
selfie friendly screen
has face detect focus
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
9
no video shooting
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Nikon D5000 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5000 and Sony A290
 Nikon D5000Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D5000 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-06-12 2010-06-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
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 surface area 372.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 2848 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 590 grams (1.30 lb) 549 grams (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 104 x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 66
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 11.5
DXO Low light rating 868 615
Other
Battery life 510 pictures 290 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL9a NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $630 $600