Nikon D5000 has a
12.0MP APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Expeed processor. On the other hand, Sony A560 has a
14.0MP APS-C (23.5 x 15.6 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Bionz processor.
Below you can see the D5000 and A560 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Nikon D5000 and Sony A560 Cameras
Nikon D5000 and Sony A560 have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Nikon D5000 and Sony A560 sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, D5000 has scored 72, 2 points higher than A560.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Nikon D5000
72
22.7 bits
12.5 Evs
868 ISO
Sony A560
70
22.5 bits
12.3 Evs
817 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Nikon D5000
or the
Sony A560 ,
including hyperfocal distance.