Nikon D5000 vs Sony A33
65 Imaging
51 Features
50 Overall
50


67 Imaging
54 Features
80 Overall
64
Nikon D5000 vs Sony A33 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed June 2009
- Older Model is Nikon D60
- Renewed by Nikon D5100
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
- Introduced August 2010
- Newer Model is Sony A35

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A33 Overview
Lets look more in depth at the Nikon D5000 and Sony A33, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the D5000 (12MP) and the A33 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor size (APS-C).

The D5000 was launched 14 months prior to the A33 making them a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the D5000 scores versus the A33 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A33 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon D5000 and Sony SLT-A33. The complete galleries are viewable at Nikon D5000 Gallery and Sony A33 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D5000 over the Sony A33
D5000 | A33 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A33 over the Nikon D5000
A33 | D5000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2010 | ![]() | June 2009 | More recent by 14 months |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon D5000 and Sony A33
D5000 | A33 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Both are selfie friendly | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Nikon D5000 vs Sony A33 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Nikon D5000 offers exterior measurements of 127mm x 104mm x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") having a weight of 590 grams (1.30 lbs) whilst the Sony A33 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).
Compare the Nikon D5000 and Sony A33 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the D5000 vs the A33.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the D5000 and A33 is 65 and 67 respectively.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A33 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very difficult to envision the difference in sensor measurements merely by seeing a spec sheet. The visual below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the D5000 and A33.
As you can see, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony A33 to provide more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older D5000 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A33 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A33 Specifications
Nikon D5000 | Sony SLT-A33 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon D5000 | Sony SLT-A33 |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2009-06-12 | 2010-08-24 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
Max boosted ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 15 |
Cross type focus points | - | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 309 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated |
Display size | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,150 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.52x | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 17.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m (@ ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/200 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 | 590g (1.30 pounds) | 500g (1.10 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 127 x 104 x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") | 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 72 | 70 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.7 | 22.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.5 | 12.6 |
DXO Low light rating | 868 | 591 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 510 shots | 340 shots |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL9a | NP-FW50 |
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/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $630 | $230 |