• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Nikon D5000 advantages over Sony DSLR-A550

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $850 vs $1050 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony DSLR-A550 advantages over Nikon D5000

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 510 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.7 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Neither provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Nikon D5000
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A350

Sony DSLR-A550
Sony DSLR-A350
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $900
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Sony DSLR-A350

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Nikon D5000
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Sony DSLR-A550
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Compared to Canon 50D

Nikon D5000
Canon 50D
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Canon 50D

Sony DSLR-A550
Canon 50D
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Canon 50D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Nikon D5000
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Sony DSLR-A550
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Compared to Sony DSLR-A390

Nikon D5000
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5000 vs Sony DSLR-A390

Sony DSLR-A550
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony DSLR-A550 vs Sony DSLR-A390

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