• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D90 advantages over Sony NEX-5T

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.50 vs 4.78 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 850 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    158 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony NEX-5T advantages over Nikon D90

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    11 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    392g vs 1133g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D90

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony NEX-5T
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 16-50mm Lens
All NEX-5T Deals

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 NEX-5T
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony NEX-5T 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 NEX-5T
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony NEX-5T 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 NEX-5T
Pentax K-5
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony NEX-5T vs Pentax K-5

Compared to Sony NEX-3N

Nikon D90
Sony NEX-3N
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony NEX-3N

Sony NEX-5T
Sony NEX-3N
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony NEX-5T vs Sony NEX-3N

Compared to Sony A5000

Nikon D90
Sony A5000
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D90 vs Sony A5000

Sony NEX-5T
Sony A5000
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash

Compare Sony NEX-5T vs Sony A5000

Compare Other Cameras?