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Nikon D5000 vs Sony A550

Portability
65
Imaging
52
Features
50
Overall
51
Nikon D5000 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Nikon D5000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 590g - 127 x 104 x 80mm
  • Revealed June 2009
  • Old Model is Nikon D60
  • New Model is Nikon D5100
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced December 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A100
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Nikon D5000 vs Sony A550 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Nikon D5000 vs Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the D5000 (12MP) and the A550 (14MP) is fairly similar and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D5000 was launched 6 months prior to the A550 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the D5000 scores versus the A550 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5000 over the Sony A550

 D5000 A550 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Nikon D5000

 A550 D5000 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D5000 and Sony A550

 D5000 A550 
IntroducedJune 2009December 2009Similar generation
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon D5000 enjoys physical dimensions 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 A550 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D5000 vs Sony A550 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the D5000 versus the A550.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the D5000 and A550 is 65 and 63 respectively.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizes only by going over specifications. The picture here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the D5000 and A550.

To sum up, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You should anticipate the Sony A550 to offer you greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos way more aggressively.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5000 Portrait photography advice
Sony A550 Portrait photography advice
63
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
72
manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon D5000 Street photography advice
Sony A550 Street photography advice
66
screen articulates
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
74
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5000 Sports photography features
Sony A550 Sports photography features
42
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
bad battery (510 CIPA)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
bad battery power (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5000 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
56
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
bad battery (510 shots)
resolution not great (12MP)
52
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
bad battery power (480 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5000 Landscape photography factors
Sony A550 Landscape photography factors
52
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery (510 CIPA)
66
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
bad battery power (480 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D5000
Vlogging with Sony A550
52
selfie friendly display
includes face detect autofocus
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic socket
9
can't record video
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Nikon D5000 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5000 and Sony A550
 Nikon D5000Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon D5000 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-06-12 2009-12-09
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 17.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash settings 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
Highest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 590 grams (1.30 lb) 632 grams (1.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 127 x 104 x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 66
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 11.8
DXO Low light score 868 807
Other
Battery life 510 pictures 480 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL9a NP-FM500H
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/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $630 $749