• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 50.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Nikon D90 advantages over Sony A1

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.50 vs 4.16 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 850 vs 530 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 165 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A1 advantages over Nikon D90

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    No vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/400 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    4 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.90x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    50.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    155 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 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
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Nikon D90
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Sony A1
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Nikon D90
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Sony A1
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Compared to Pentax K-5

Nikon D90
Pentax K-5
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D90 vs Pentax K-5

Sony A1
Pentax K-5
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A1 vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Nikon D90
Sony A7R IV
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony A7R IV

Sony A1
Sony A7R IV
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer video battery life
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R IV

Compared to Canon R5

Nikon D90
Canon R5
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D90 vs Canon R5

Sony A1
Canon R5
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

Compare Other Cameras?