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Nikon D90 vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A300

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonD90SonyAlpha DSLR-A300
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2008April 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 using the optical viewfinder or 2 fps in live view; JPEG Standard/Fine can continue until the card fills, subject to shooting conditions and card speed. 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 metering through the optical finder or 1200-zone analysis in live view, with centre-weighted and spot options; ±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 (PhotographyBlog); Quick AF Live View uses a dedicated secondary sensor with a pentamirror switching mechanism, rather than the main image sensor. It shows 90% coverage and has no magnified manual-focus-check mode.
AudioMonaural movie sound–
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalOptical
Screen size3″2.7″
Screen dots920,000230,400
Tilting screenNoYes
Display detailFixed TFT with approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixelsClear Photo TFT LCD; 230,400 dots count colour subpixels; tilts approximately 130° upward or 40° downward. Live view previews exposure compensation, white balance and selected Creative Style settings; Smart Teleconverter produces 1.4×/2× digital crops.
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 0.74× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; optical path closed automatically when live view is selected
Connections and design
Battery life (maker's claim)850 photographs730 photographs
Body weight620 g582 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 April 2008 for the single- and double-lens kits. Japan launched the body and single-lens kit on 17 July 2008; April is the earliest maker 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); maker CIPA claim approximately 730 photographs with optical finder or 410 in live view, with built-in flash used for half the shots; optional VG-B30AM grip holds two packs
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 × 74.7 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
Weight detailApproximately 620 g excluding battery, card, body cap and monitor coverApproximately 582 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; Silky Gold lens kit also released in Japan
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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