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Nikon D90 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD90SonyAlpha DSLR-A200
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2008January 2008
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRDSLR
Sensor formatAPS-CAPS-C
Sensor typeCMOSCCD
Sensor dimensions23.6 × 15.8 mm23.6 × 15.8 mm
Effective resolution12.3 MP10.2 MP
Largest image4288 × 28483872 × 2592
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range200–3200100–3200
Sensor detail12.9 million total pixels; sensor cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data10.8 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter; anti-static coating and sensor-shift dust removal
Image formatsNEF RAW, JPEG and RAW plus JPEG; Cameralabs confirms 12-bit compressed RAWJPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.0) and RAW+JPEG; 3:2 or cropped 16:9 stills; 12-bit analogue-to-digital conversion
ISO detailExpanded equivalents ISO 100–6400; Auto ISOISO 100–3200 in whole-stop steps, plus Auto; high-ISO noise reduction available from ISO 1600
Image processorEXPEEDBIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountSony A-mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst4.5 fps3 fps
Lens detailDX angle of view approximately 1.5× FX focal length; AF coupling supports compatible screw-drive lenses. Non-CPU lenses permit manual exposure without metering; IX and F3AF lenses unsupportedInterchangeable Sony A-mount; supports compatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses; kit optics are separate from body specifications
AutofocusMulti-CAM 1000 phase detection, 11 points including one cross-type; single, dynamic, auto-area and 3D tracking. Live view uses contrast detection with face-priority, wide and normal areasTTL phase detection with nine points and centre cross sensor; single-shot, automatic and continuous AF, manual focus and selectable Eye-Start AF; detection range EV 0–18 at ISO 100
Shutter1/4000 to 30 seconds and Bulb; flash sync 1/200 second; tested to 100000 releasesElectronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detailHigh-speed continuous approximately 4.5 fps; low-speed 1–4 fpsUp to 3 fps; JPEG Standard/Fine can continue until the card fills, subject to card and shooting conditions. Maker buffer claim six RAW or three RAW+JPEG frames.
Stabilisation detailOptical VR depends on the attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationSuper SteadyShot sensor-shift stabilisation; Sony claims approximately 2.5–3.5 stops depending on lens and conditions; excludes Minolta AF Macro Zoom 3X–1X F1.7–2.8
FlashPop-up i-TTL flash, guide number approximately 17 at ISO 200 in metres; commander for two remote groups; ISO 518 hot shoeAutomatic pop-up built-in flash, guide number 12 in metres at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL control; wireless and high-speed sync require compatible external flash
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M, auto and scene modes; 420-pixel RGB metering; ±5 EV compensationProgram, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual controls; scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±2 EV compensation in 1/3-stop steps; D-Range Optimizer and Creative Style controls
Video
Highest video resolution1280 × 720 at 24 fps–
Video detailMotion-JPEG AVI at 24 fps; 720p limited to approximately five minutes, 640 × 424 and 320 × 216 to approximately 20 minutes; autofocus unavailable during recordingStill-image camera with no movie recording; no live-view framing, mirror lock-up or depth-of-field preview (PhotographyBlog and Cameralabs)
AudioMonaural movie sound–
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″2.7″
Screen dots920,000230,400
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed TFT with approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixelsFixed Clear Photo TFT LCD; 230,400 dots count colour subpixels; shooting information rotates with body orientation
Viewfinder detailPentaprism, approximately 96% coverage and 0.94× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity; 19.5 mm eyepoint; selectable gridFixed eye-level pentamirror; approximately 95% coverage and 0.83× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)850 photographs750 photographs
Body weight620 g532 g
Release detailNikon's original US announcement specifies September 2008 availability; Nikon Japan records 19 September there. Main retains the month without assigning the Japanese day to every regionSony Hong Kong specifies launch from the end of January 2008 for the single- and double-lens kits; Japan gives 15 February 2008 for body and kits. January is the earliest maker-stated retail precision found.
Recording mediaSD and SDHC cardsCompactFlash Type I/II and Microdrive; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo require a separately sold CompactFlash-slot adaptor
PortsHi-Speed USB, analogue AV output, HDMI mini Type C and accessory terminal for optional MC-DC2 or GP-1USB 2.0 Hi-Speed with NTSC/PAL video output; wired remote-release connector and DC input; no HDMI
Battery life detailEN-EL3e; approximately 850 CIPA photographs with the 18–105mm VR lens and flash in half the exposures; optional MB-D80 gripNP-FM500H, 7.2 V and 11.8 Wh (1650 mAh); approximately 750 photographs CIPA with built-in flash used for half the shots. The A100's NP-FM55H cannot be used, contrary to PhotographyBlog's handling description.
ChargingExternal MH-18a charger; optional EH-5a AC adapterSupplied BC-VM10 external charger; optional AC-VQ900AM adaptor/charger
DimensionsApproximately 132 × 103 × 77 mmApproximately 130.8 × 98.5 × 71.3 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 620 g excluding battery, card, body cap and monitor coverApproximately 532 g without battery, memory card, lens or accessories; no loaded weight published in the maker table
Materials–Plastic outer body (PhotographyBlog and Cameralabs)
Colours–Black
In the boxEN-EL3e battery, MH-18a charger, DK-5 eyepiece cap, DK-21 eyecup, UC-E4 USB cable, EG-D2 AV cable, AN-DC1 strap, BM-10 monitor cover, body and shoe caps; regional contents may differNP-FM500H battery, BC-VM10 charger, power cord, USB and video cables, shoulder strap, eyepiece cover and cup, body cap and software CD

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