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Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
54
Imaging
66
Features
62
Overall
64
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs

Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Launched October 2008
  • Refreshed by Sony A99
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-5N
Photography Glossary

Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

Following is a thorough comparison of the Sony A900 versus Sony NEX-5, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both produced by Sony. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the A900 (25MP) and NEX-5 (14MP) and the A900 (Full frame) and NEX-5 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The A900 was unveiled 19 months before the NEX-5 making them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A900 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the A900 matches up versus the NEX-5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Sony NEX-5

 A900 NEX-5 
Display resolution922k920kSharper display (+2k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Sony A900

 NEX-5 A900 
RevealedJune 2010October 2008More modern by 19 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Sony A900 and Sony NEX-5

 A900 NEX-5 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Sony A900 enjoys external measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5 has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Check the Sony A900 versus Sony NEX-5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the A900 and the NEX-5.

Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the A900 and NEX-5 is 54 and 89 respectively.

Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes only by going over technical specs. The pic underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the A900 and NEX-5.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The A900 using its larger sensor will make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Sony A900 will deliver more detail having an extra 11 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged A900 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A900 Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography highlights
71
you can focus manually
fantastic sensor resolution (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
72
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A900 Street photography details
Sony NEX-5 Street photography details
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
screen does not articulate
76
tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A900 Sports photography features
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography features
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic sensor resolution (25MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
52
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A900 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography highlights
54
weather proof
fantastic sensor resolution (25MP)
lack of Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
59
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A900 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-5 Landscape photography advice
72
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic sensor resolution (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
does not have liveview
lack of Timelapse function
68
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A900 Vlogging information
Sony NEX-5 Vlogging information
9
lack of video recording
28
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic jack
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Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A900 and Sony NEX-5
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2008-10-22 2010-06-07
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6048 x 4032 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
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 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Number of lenses 143 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 922 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Xtra Fine color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 895g (1.97 lb) 287g (0.63 lb)
Physical dimensions 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 69
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 12.2
DXO Low light rating 1431 796
Other
Battery life 880 photos 330 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FM500H NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32 SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 2 Single
Pricing at release $2,736 $599