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Nikon D5000 vs Sony A65

Portability
65
Imaging
52
Features
50
Overall
51
Nikon D5000 front
 
Sony SLT-A65 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
85
Overall
72

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A65 Key Specs

Nikon D5000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 590g - 127 x 104 x 80mm
  • Revealed June 2009
  • Superseded the Nikon D60
  • Refreshed by Nikon D5100
Sony A65
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 622g - 132 x 97 x 81mm
  • Launched November 2011
  • Replacement is Sony A68
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Nikon D5000 vs Sony A65 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Nikon D5000 vs Sony A65, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the D5000 (12MP) and A65 (24MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D5000 was manufactured 3 years before the A65 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple view of how the D5000 matches up against the A65 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5000 over the Sony A65

 D5000 A65 

Reasons to pick Sony A65 over the Nikon D5000

 A65 D5000 
LaunchedNovember 2011June 2009More modern by 29 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D5000 and Sony A65

 D5000 A65 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A65 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon D5000 features physical dimensions of 127mm x 104mm x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of 590 grams (1.30 lbs) and the Sony A65 has proportions of 132mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 622 grams (1.37 lbs).

See the Nikon D5000 vs Sony A65 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the D5000 compared to the A65.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A65 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the D5000 and A65 is 65 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A65 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A65 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to see the difference between sensor sizes only by reviewing technical specs. The pic underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the D5000 and A65.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Sony A65 to deliver greater detail due to its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged D5000 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A65 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A65 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5000 vs Sony A65 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5000 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A65 as a Portrait photography camera
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
78
has manual focus
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5000 Street photography factors
Sony A65 Street photography factors
66
screen articulates fully
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
77
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5000 Sports photography factors
Sony A65 Sports photography factors
42
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (510 CIPA)
82
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5000 Travel photography details
Sony A65 Travel photography details
56
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
not so great battery (510 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
68
decent MP (24MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
no Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5000 Landscape photography info
Sony A65 Landscape photography info
52
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inch)
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (510 CIPA)
75
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5000 Vlogging features
Sony A65 Vlogging features
52
selfie friendly display
includes face detect focus
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
78
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone port
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Nikon D5000 vs Sony A65 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5000 and Sony A65
 Nikon D5000Sony SLT-A65
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D5000 Sony SLT-A65
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-06-12 2011-11-15
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
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
Number of lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 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
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 590 grams (1.30 lbs) 622 grams (1.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 127 x 104 x 80mm (5.0" x 4.1" x 3.1") 132 x 97 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 74
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 12.6
DXO Low light rating 868 717
Other
Battery life 510 pictures 560 pictures
Type of battery 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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $630 $700