Nikon D80 vs Sony A99
62 Imaging
48 Features
36 Overall
43


57 Imaging
69 Features
88 Overall
76
Nikon D80 vs Sony A99 Key Specs
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
- Launched December 2012
- Old Model is Sony A900
- Successor is Sony A99 II

Nikon D80 vs Sony A99 Overview
Below, we will be reviewing the Nikon D80 vs Sony A99, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the D80 (10MP) and A99 (24MP) and the D80 (APS-C) and A99 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor size.

The D80 was brought out 7 years earlier than the A99 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a short overview of how the D80 scores vs the A99 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon D80 vs Sony A99 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D80 & Sony SLT-A99. The entire galleries are provided at Nikon D80 Gallery & Sony A99 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D80 over the Sony A99
D80 | A99 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Nikon D80
A99 | D80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | December 2012 | ![]() | September 2006 | More modern by 75 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+999k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Nikon D80 and Sony A99
D80 | A99 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Nikon D80 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D80 has exterior measurements of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 668 grams (1.47 lbs) while the Sony A99 has proportions of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") and a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).
Contrast the Nikon D80 vs Sony A99 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the D80 against the A99.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D80 and A99 is 62 and 57 respectively.

Nikon D80 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizes simply by going through specifications. The pic underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the D80 and A99.
To sum up, the 2 cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The D80 because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Sony A99 will show greater detail having its extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged D80 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon D80 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D80 vs Sony A99 Specifications
Nikon D80 | Sony SLT-A99 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon D80 | Sony SLT-A99 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2006-09-23 | 2012-12-12 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 35.8 x 23.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.9mm² | 852.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 24MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 3872 x 2592 | 6000 x 4000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 25600 |
Max enhanced ISO | 3200 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | - | 19 |
Cross type focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 309 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen sizing | 2.5" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 1,229 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 13.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/200 seconds | 1/250 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 668 grams (1.47 pounds) | 812 grams (1.79 pounds) |
Dimensions | 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") | 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 61 | 89 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.1 | 25.0 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.2 | 14.0 |
DXO Low light rating | 524 | 1555 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 500 photographs |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL3e | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC |
Card slots | One | 2 |
Price at release | $800 | $1,998 |