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Nikon D5000 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A380

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD5000SonyAlpha DSLR-A380
Overview
ReleasedMay 2009June 2009
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCMOSCCD
Sensor dimensions23.6 × 15.8 mm23.5 × 15.7 mm
Effective resolution12.3 MP14.2 MP
Largest image4288 × 28484592 × 3056
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–3200100–3200
Sensor detailNikon DX CMOS; 12.3 million effective and 12.9 million total pixels; approximately 1.5× lens focal-length equivalent; integrated sensor cleaning and Image Dust Off reference dataApproximately 14.9 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter, anti-static coating and sensor-shift dust reduction
Image formatsCompressed 12-bit NEF RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW plus JPEG; maximum 4288 × 2848 pixels; customisable Picture Controls and in-camera RAW processingJPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.1
ISO detailISO 200–3200 in one-third stops, expandable down to ISO 100 or up to ISO 6400 equivalent; Auto ISO–
Image processorEXPEEDBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountSony A-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst4 fps2.5 fps
Lens detailAutofocus with AF-S and AF-I lenses; no body autofocus motor for screw-drive lenses. Non-CPU lenses require manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupportedCompatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta A-mount lenses; lens specifications depend on the fitted lens
AutofocusMulti-CAM 1000; 11 phase-detection points including one cross-type; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100 equivalent, 20°C; AF-S/AF-C/AF-A with single-point, dynamic, auto-area and 11-point 3D tracking. Contrast-detection live view adds face, wide, normal and subject-tracking areasTTL phase-detection with nine points, including central cross sensor; single, automatic and continuous AF, manual focus and Eye-start AF
Shutter1/4000 to 30 seconds in one-third or half stops, Bulb and Time with optional ML-L3 remote; flash sync 1/200 second; shutter tested to 100000 cycles in Nikon's announcementElectronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detailApproximately 4 fps with manual focus, S/M exposure, 1/250 second or faster and remaining settings at defaults; quiet release and interval-timer shootingApproximately 2.5 fps with the optical viewfinder, or 2 fps in live view; up to six RAW or three RAW+JPEG frames, depending on conditions and media.
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationSteadyShot INSIDE shifts the image sensor
FlashBuilt-in pop-up flash; guide number approximately 17 m at ISO 200, 20°C, or 18 at manual full output; approximately 12/13 at ISO 100 equivalent; accessory shoe, optional AS-15 sync adapterAutomatic pop-up flash; guide number 10 m at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL; Alpha-system external flash support
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M, Auto and 19 scene modes; 420-pixel RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±5 EV compensation; three-frame exposure/white-balance bracketing and two-frame Active D-Lighting bracketingProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual; automatic and six scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb metering
Video
Highest video resolution1280 × 720 at 24 fps–
Video detailMotion JPEG AVI at 1280 × 720, 640 × 424 or 320 × 216, all 24 fps; maximum five minutes at 720p or 20 minutes at lower resolutions; autofocus before recording, manual focus during recording. Photography Blog's introductory 30 fps description differs from Nikon's 24 fps sheet and its later review textNo movie recording; HDMI supports still-image playback.
AudioBuilt-in mono recording; no external microphone input–
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size2.7″2.7″
Screen dots230,000230,400
Touchscreen–No
Tilting screenYesYes
Display detailBottom-hinged 2.7-inch vari-angle TFT, approximately 230000 dots and 100% coverage; announcement specifies approximately 90° downward swing and 180° rotation; screen can face inward for protectionClear Photo LCD tilts approximately 135° up and 55° down. Quick AF Live View uses a dedicated sensor and phase-detection AF, with approximately 90% frame coverage; no magnified manual-focus preview.
Viewfinder detailPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage, 0.78× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity and 17.9 mm eyepointPentamirror; approximately 95% coverage and 0.74× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity, −1 m⁻¹.
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)510 photographs500 photographs
Body weight560 g490 g
Release detailNikon Japan records first sale on 1 May 2009; global announcement on 14 April 2009Sony Japan specifies 25 June 2009 for the body and kits; Sony Hong Kong specifies July 2009 availability. The May announcement precedes these regional sale dates.
Recording mediaOne SD/SDHC card slotSD, SDHC, Memory Stick PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo
PortsHi-Speed USB, HDMI Type C, NTSC/PAL analogue video output and accessory terminal for optional MC-DC2 remote or GP-1 GPS; optional ML-L3 infrared remoteUSB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini HDMI Type C and Alpha accessory shoe
Wireless connectionsNo integrated wireless networking; optional GP-1 GPS unit–
Battery life detailEN-EL9a; up to 510 CIPA photographs with AF-S DX 18–55mm VR and full-power flash on alternate shotsNP-FH50; approximately 500 shots with optical viewfinder or 230 in live view, under CIPA conditions.
ChargingExternal MH-23 charger; optional EH-5a adapter with EP-5 power connectorSupplied BC-VH1 battery charger; optional AC-PW10AM adapter
DimensionsApproximately 127 × 104 × 80 mmApproximately 128 × 97 × 71.4 mm (width × height × depth), excluding projections.
Weight detailApproximately 560 g excluding battery, SD card and body capApproximately 490 g body only, excluding battery, media and accessories.
Colours–Black
In the boxEN-EL9a battery, MH-23 charger, DK-5 eyepiece cap, DK-24 eyecup, UC-E6 USB cable, EG-CP14 audio-video cable, AN-DC3 strap, BS-1 shoe cover, body cap and Software Suite CD-ROM–

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