Sony a300 vs Nikon D3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a300 and Nikon D3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a300 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a300 were released 2008 and Nikon D3 was released 2007. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a300 2008
Nikon D3 2007

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a300 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3 has a "Nikon FX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a300 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D3 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a300 has a 10 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3 has 12,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a300 10 MP
10036224 pixels
3872 x 2592
Nikon D3 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832

Nikon D3 has a 20 % larger resolution than Sony a300. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D3 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a300. Nikon D3 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 25600 while Sony a300 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a300 100-3200
Nikon D3 200-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a300
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a300 can shoot up to 3 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a300 3
Nikon D3 9

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

Though, neither Sony a300 or Nikon D3 can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D3 weighs 1300 gr (equal to 2.87 lb) which is 106% heavier than Sony a300 and its 632 gr (or 1.39 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a300 632 gr
1.39 lb
Nikon D3 1300 gr
2.87 lb

Sony a300 vs Nikon D3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a300 and Nikon D3, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a300
Nikon D3
Name Sony a300 Nikon D3
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a300
Nikon D3
Release Year 2008 2007
Release Date 2008-01-30 2007-08-23
MSRP 799 USD 4999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a300
Nikon D3
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a300
Nikon D3
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 3872 x 2592 pixels 4256 x 2832 pixels
Megapixels 10 MP 12,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED
Image
Sony a300
Nikon D3
ISO Range 100 - 3200 200 - 25600
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a300
Nikon D3
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 9 51
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a300
Nikon D3
Articulated LCD Tilting Fixed
Screen size 2.7” 3”
Screen dots 230000 922000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.74× (0.49× 35mm equiv.) 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a300
Nikon D3
Frames per second 3 fps 9 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 12 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a300
Nikon D3
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony a300
Nikon D3
Memory Card Compact Flash
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a300
Nikon D3
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Wired or wirelss (optional)) Yes
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a300
Nikon D3
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FM500H
EN-EL4a rechargeable Li-ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 730 shots 4300 shots
Width 131 mm 160 mm
Height 99 mm 157 mm
Depth 75 mm 88 mm
Weight 632 gram 1300 gram