Nikon D5000 vs Sony Alpha 560 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · DSLR · 12.3 MP · APS-C · Standard HD video
Nikon D5000
41
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 14.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony Alpha 560
46
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon D5000 and the Sony Alpha 560 are both APS-C CMOS DSLRs with optical pentamirror viewfinders, so framing is done through the lens on either camera. The D5000 was announced in April 2009 and the Alpha 560 in August 2010. The key early decision is the lens system: the D5000 uses the Nikon F DX mount and the Alpha 560 the Sony Alpha DT mount, fixing your lens choices. The D5000 is smaller and lighter, 127 x 104 x 80 mm and 590 g against 137 x 104 x 84 mm and 599 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
April 14, 2009 | August 24, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 127 x 104 x 80 mm | 137 x 104 x 84 mm |
| Camera weight | 590 g | 599 g |
| Optics | 45/100 | 50/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony Alpha 560 is the better camera for cropping distant subjects and handheld work in dim light. Its 14.2 megapixel sensor offers more pixels than the D5000's 12.3, and in-body stabilisation gives every mounted lens shake reduction at slower shutter speeds. The D5000 relies on the lens alone. The Sony also offers more ISO headroom, a standard range reaching 12800 against the D5000's 3200 plus an expanded 25600. Its 5 fps against the Nikon's 4 helps catch peak action, and 15 autofocus points against 11 give more placement choice. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.3 MP050 | 14.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4288 x 2848 | 4592 x 3056 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.8 x 23.6 | 15.6 x 23.4 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
4 fps045 | 5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon F DX | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
64003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 150300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 49/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Alpha 560 is the clear choice if video matters. It records Full HD, supports frame rates up to 60 fps and writes AVCHD or MP4 files, giving smooth motion and slow-motion room in editing. The D5000 tops out at Standard HD resolution and a 24 fps maximum, recording in Motion JPEG. The D5000 holds one advantage: a built-in interval timer for timelapse sequences, which the Sony lacks. Star trails or drifting clouds can be shot without an external intervalometer. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Standard HD |  Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1280 x 720 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
24 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
Motion JPEG | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 34/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Alpha 560's 3 inch rear screen shows far more detail than the D5000's 2.7 inch display when checking focus or reviewing images, with 921600 dots against 230000. Both screens flip out for waist-level or overhead angles, and both cameras offer live view. Flash support is shared: both cameras have a built-in flash and support external flash units. Neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or weather sealing, so geotagging needs a separate accessory. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.7" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 9216001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryCard flexibility favours the Sony, which accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC plus Memory Stick Pro Duo, while the D5000 takes SD and SDHC only. High-capacity SDXC cards work in the Alpha 560 only. Both have a single card slot. Battery ratings are close: the Sony's NP-FM500H is rated at 550 shots against 510 for the Nikon's EN-EL9a. Neither battery charges over USB, so both need their own charger. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL9a | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
510 shots1505000 | 550 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Sony Alpha 560 is the stronger choice for most photographers. Its stabilisation steadies handheld shots in fading light, the extra megapixels allow tighter crops of distant wildlife or sports, and Full HD video plus a 921600-dot screen make it the more capable hybrid tool.
Choose the Nikon D5000 if you already own Nikon F lenses or want a built-in timelapse timer for landscape work. Otherwise the Sony's stabilisation, ISO range and faster burst make it the stronger body for a fresh system.