Nikon D90 vs Sony A77
60 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51


59 Imaging
63 Features
83 Overall
71
Nikon D90 vs Sony A77 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 200 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
- 1280 x 720 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
- Revealed October 2008
- Older Model is Nikon D80
- Replacement is Nikon D7000
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 50 - 16000 (Increase to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 732g - 143 x 104 x 81mm
- Launched October 2011
- Older Model is Sony A700
- Replacement is Sony A77 II

Nikon D90 vs Sony A77 Overview
On this page, we are matching up the Nikon D90 vs Sony A77, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the D90 (12MP) and A77 (24MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

The D90 was introduced 4 years earlier than the A77 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the D90 grades vs the A77 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon D90 vs Sony A77 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D90 and Sony SLT-A77. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon D90 Gallery and Sony A77 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Sony A77
D90 | A77 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A77 over the Nikon D90
A77 | D90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | October 2011 | ![]() | October 2008 | Fresher by 36 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Crisper display (+1k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Nikon D90 and Sony A77
D90 | A77 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurement |
Touch display | ![]() | Absent Touch display |
Nikon D90 vs Sony A77 Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry your camera, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon D90 has got physical dimensions of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") having a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) whilst the Sony A77 has measurements of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") along with a weight of 732 grams (1.61 lbs).
Look at the Nikon D90 vs Sony A77 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the D90 against the A77.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the D90 and A77 is 60 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D90 vs Sony A77 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing merely by researching specifications. The graphic underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the D90 and A77.
To sum up, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Sony A77 to result in extra detail using its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos more aggressively. The older D90 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon D90 vs Sony A77 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D90 vs Sony A77 Specifications
Nikon D90 | Sony SLT-A77 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon D90 | Sony SLT-A77 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2008-10-13 | 2011-10-25 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4288 x 2848 | 6000 x 4000 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 16000 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 50 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 19 |
Cross type focus points | - | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon F | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Amount of lenses | 309 | 143 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 920 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 96% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.73x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.5fps | 12.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 17.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/200 seconds | 1/250 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic 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 | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 703 grams (1.55 pounds) | 732 grams (1.61 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") | 143 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 73 | 78 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.7 | 24.0 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.5 | 13.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 977 | 801 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 850 images | 470 images |
Battery type | 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 type | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $1,199 | $900 |