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Nikon D5500 vs Sony A290

Portability
71
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Nikon D5500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A290 Key Specs

Nikon D5500
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 420g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Replaced the Nikon D5300
  • Later Model is Nikon D5600
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
  • Announced June 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A230
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Nikon D5500 vs Sony A290 Overview

Here is a extended overview of the Nikon D5500 versus Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the D5500 (24MP) and A290 (14MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D5500 was introduced 4 years later than the A290 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short summary of how the D5500 matches up vs the A290 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5500 over the Sony A290

 D5500 A290 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015June 2010Fresher by 56 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kCrisper display (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Nikon D5500

 A290 D5500 

Common features in the Nikon D5500 and Sony A290

 D5500 A290 
Manually focus More precise focus

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Nikon D5500 comes with exterior dimensions of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 420 grams (0.93 lbs) while the Sony A290 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") and a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D5500 versus Sony A290 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the D5500 and the A290.

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the D5500 and A290 is 71 and 66 respectively.

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to see the gap between sensor sizing purely by checking technical specs. The visual underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D5500 and A290.

As you have seen, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Nikon D5500 to give you greater detail using its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The fresher D5500 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5500 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5500 Portrait photography factors
Sony A290 Portrait photography factors
79
you can focus manually
decent MP (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
65
manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5500 Street photography factors
Sony A290 Street photography factors
75
screen can move to multiple angles
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
offers touch to focus
lighter than others in class (420 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5500 Sports photography details
Sony A290 Sports photography details
68
decent MP (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
great battery life (820 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
terrible battery power (290 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D5500
Travel photography with Sony A290
81
great battery life (820 per charge)
lighter than others in class (420g)
offers touch to focus
decent MP (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
53
good MP (14MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery power (290 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5500 Landscape photography details
Sony A290 Landscape photography details
78
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (820 shots)
no image stabilization
58
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
does not have liveview
terrible battery power (290 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5500 Vlogging advice
Sony A290 Vlogging advice
75
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone socket
lighter than others in class (420 grams)
no image stabilization
9
can't record video
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Nikon D5500 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5500 and Sony A290
 Nikon D5500Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D5500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2015-01-06 2010-06-09
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 4 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 39 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 309 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2" 2.7"
Display resolution 1,037k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
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 metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 420 gr (0.93 lb) 549 gr (1.21 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 84 66
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 11.5
DXO Low light rating 1438 615
Other
Battery life 820 images 290 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14,EN-EL14a NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $700 $600