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Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
54
Imaging
67
Features
62
Overall
65
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs

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
  • Refreshed by Sony A99
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-5T
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Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5R, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both created by Sony. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the A900 (25MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the A900 (Full frame) and NEX-5R (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

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The A900 was announced 4 years prior to the NEX-5R and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Sony A900 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-5R being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the A900 matches up against the NEX-5R in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Sony NEX-5R

 A900 NEX-5R 
Screen resolution922k920kCrisper screen (+2k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Sony A900

 NEX-5R A900 
ReleasedAugust 2012October 2008Fresher by 46 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony A900 and Sony NEX-5R

 A900 NEX-5R 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Sony A900 enjoys external dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs) while the Sony NEX-5R has measurements of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Look at the Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5R in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the A900 compared to the NEX-5R.

Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the A900 and NEX-5R is 54 and 89 respectively.

Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizing just by going through specs. The graphic here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A900 and NEX-5R.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The A900 having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Sony A900 will provide more detail with its extra 9MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The older A900 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A900
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-5R
72
focusing manually
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A900 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-5R as a Street photography camera
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
screen does not articulate
80
tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
supports focus by touch
good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A900
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5R
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count amazing (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
68
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
supports phase detect AF
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A900
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5R
55
weather proof
MP count amazing (25MP)
lack of Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
73
supports focus by touch
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A900 Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography features
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count amazing (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
does not have liveview
lack of Timelapse function
75
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A900 Vlogging info
Sony NEX-5R Vlogging info
9
can't record video
31
touchscreen enabled
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of external microphone jack
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Sony A900 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A900 and Sony NEX-5R
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2008-10-22 2012-08-29
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6048 x 4032 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 99
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha Sony E
Amount of lenses 143 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 922k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Xtra Fine color LCD Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 895g (1.97 lb) 276g (0.61 lb)
Dimensions 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 78
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 13.1
DXO Low light score 1431 910
Other
Battery life 880 shots 330 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NP-FM500H NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage 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 Two Single
Retail cost $2,736 $750