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Nikon D5000 vs Sony A57

Portability
65
Imaging
52
Features
50
Overall
51
Nikon D5000 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A57 Key Specs

Nikon D5000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 590g - 127 x 104 x 80mm
  • Announced June 2009
  • Older Model is Nikon D60
  • Successor is Nikon D5100
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A55
  • Later Model is Sony A58
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Nikon D5000 vs Sony A57 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Nikon D5000 versus Sony A57, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the D5000 (12MP) and A57 (16MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The D5000 was introduced 4 years earlier than the A57 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short overview of how the D5000 scores vs the A57 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5000 over the Sony A57

 D5000 A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Nikon D5000

 A57 D5000 
RevealedSeptember 2012June 2009Newer by 39 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D5000 and Sony A57

 D5000 A57 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon D5000 provides external measurements of 127mm x 104mm x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") having a weight of 590 grams (1.30 lbs) and the Sony A57 has sizing of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") along with a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D5000 versus Sony A57 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the D5000 versus the A57.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the D5000 and A57 is 65 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching technical specs. The pic below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the D5000 and A57.

As you can tell, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Sony A57 to provide you with extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged D5000 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5000 Portrait photography information
Sony A57 Portrait photography information
63
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
74
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5000 Street photography advice
Sony A57 Street photography advice
66
fully articulated screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
75
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5000 Sports photography factors
Sony A57 Sports photography factors
42
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (510 CIPA)
78
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5000 Travel photography factors
Sony A57 Travel photography factors
56
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
not so great battery (510 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
67
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
missing Timelapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5000 Landscape photography factors
Sony A57 Landscape photography factors
52
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
not so great battery (510 per charge)
72
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5000 Vlogging information
Sony A57 Vlogging information
52
selfie friendly screen
offers face detect focusing
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
77
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone socket
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Nikon D5000 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5000 and Sony A57
 Nikon D5000Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D5000 Sony SLT-A57
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-06-12 2012-09-13
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 2848 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 590 gr (1.30 pounds) 618 gr (1.36 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 104 x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 75
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 13.0
DXO Low light rating 868 785
Other
Battery life 510 photos 550 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL9a NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $630 $1,000