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Sony A500 vs Sony A900

Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
67
Features
62
Overall
65

Sony A500 vs Sony A900 Key Specs

Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Refreshed by Sony A560
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Introduced October 2008
  • Replacement is Sony A99
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Sony A500 vs Sony A900 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Sony A500 vs Sony A900, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Advanced DSLR and both of them are sold by Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the A500 (12MP) and A900 (25MP) and the A500 (APS-C) and A900 (Full frame) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The A500 was announced 11 months after the A900 and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony A900 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the A500 grades vs the A900 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Sony A900

 A500 A900 
IntroducedAugust 2009October 2008Newer by 11 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Sony A500

 A900 A500 
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Sony A500 and Sony A900

 A500 A900 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Sony A500 vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and size. The Sony A500 has exterior measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs) and the Sony A900 has specifications of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Contrast the Sony A500 vs Sony A900 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the A500 compared to the A900.

Sony A500 vs Sony A900 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A500 and A900 is 63 and 54 respectively.

Sony A500 vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Sony A500 vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The picture here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the A500 and A900.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The A500 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A900 will result in extra detail with its extra 13MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a little more aggressively. The younger A500 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Sony A500 vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Sony A500 vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A500 vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A500 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A900 as a Portrait photography camera
63
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
72
you can focus manually
great megapixels (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Sony A500 Street photography info
Sony A900 Street photography info
74
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sony A500 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A900 as a Sports photography camera
51
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (520 shots)
71
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
great megapixels (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Sony A500 Travel photography information
Sony A900 Travel photography information
43
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (520 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
55
weather proof
great megapixels (25MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A500 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A900 as a Landscape photography camera
60
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery pack (520 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
73
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
great megapixels (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
has double storage slots
does not have liveview
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A500 Vlogging factors
Sony A900 Vlogging factors
9
no video
9
lack of video recording
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Sony A500 vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A500 and Sony A900
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Type Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-08-27 2008-10-22
Body design Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4272 x 2848 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 143 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 630g (1.39 pounds) 895g (1.97 pounds)
Dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 64 79
DXO Color Depth rating 21.8 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 12.3
DXO Low light rating 772 1431
Other
Battery life 520 images 880 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FM500H NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Storage slots 1 Dual
Pricing at release $638 $2,736