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Nikon D90 vs Sony A900

Portability
60
Imaging
51
Features
52
Overall
51
Nikon D90 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
66
Features
62
Overall
64

Nikon D90 vs Sony A900 Key Specs

Nikon D90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Announced October 2008
  • Superseded the Nikon D80
  • Successor is Nikon D7000
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Launched October 2008
  • Refreshed by Sony A99
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Nikon D90 vs Sony A900 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Nikon D90 versus Sony A900, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the D90 (12MP) and A900 (25MP) and the D90 (APS-C) and A900 (Full frame) provide different sensor measurements.

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The D90 was brought out at a similar time to the A900 and they are of a similar age. Both the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple view of how the D90 scores vs the A900 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Sony A900

 D90 A900 

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Nikon D90

 A900 D90 
Screen resolution922k920kCrisper screen (+2k dot)

Common features in the Nikon D90 and Sony A900

 D90 A900 
LaunchedOctober 2008October 2008Similar age
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Nikon D90 vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D90 enjoys physical dimensions of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) whilst the Sony A900 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D90 versus Sony A900 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the D90 versus the A900.

Nikon D90 vs Sony A900 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D90 and A900 is 60 and 54 respectively.

Nikon D90 vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D90 vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to picture the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading through specifications. The pic underneath will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the D90 and A900.

To sum up, each of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The D90 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Sony A900 will give you extra detail having its extra 13MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively.

Nikon D90 vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Nikon D90 vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D90 vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D90 Portrait photography information
Sony A900 Portrait photography information
62
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
71
you can focus manually
great MP (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Street photography camera
Sony A900 as a Street photography camera
54
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A900 as a Sports photography camera
45
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
great MP (25 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A900 as a Travel photography camera
44
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
54
environment proof
great MP (25MP)
no Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A900 as a Landscape photography camera
57
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
lack of Time Lapse recording
72
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
great MP (25MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
has double storage slots
no liveview feature
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A900 as a Vlogging camera
21
comes with face detection focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic support
9
no video shooting
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Nikon D90 vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D90 and Sony A900
 Nikon D90Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon D90 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2008-10-13 2008-10-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 25MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 2848 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 309 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 920k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.74x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.5 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200s 1/250s
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 703g (1.55 pounds) 895g (1.97 pounds)
Physical dimensions 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 73 79
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 12.3
DXO Low light rating 977 1431
Other
Battery life 850 pictures 880 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3e NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Storage slots One 2
Launch pricing $1,199 $2,736