• APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Sony A5000 advantages over Nikon D780

  • Less expensive
    $298 vs $2797
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner

Nikon D780 advantages over Sony A5000

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 4.25 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 2260 vs 420 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    4 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    786k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.5 vs 20.1 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
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 3.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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 Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5000

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5000
Samsung NX1100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe
Nikon D780
Samsung NX1100
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Sony A5000
Sony NEX-5T
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
Nikon D780
Sony NEX-5T
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony A5100

Sony A5000
Sony A5100
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D780
Sony A5100
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A5000
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D780
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Sony A5000
Pentax K-1 II
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Nikon D780
Pentax K-1 II
  • $1830
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Compare Other Cameras?