Sony a3000 vs Nikon D300

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a3000 and Nikon D300. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a3000 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D300 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a3000 were released 2013 and Nikon D300 was released 2006. That is a 7 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a3000 2013
Nikon D300 2006

Type of camera

Sony a3000 is a Mirrorless camera while Nikon D300 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a3000 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D300 has a "Nikon DX"-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 a3000 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon D300 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** 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 a3000 has a 20 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D300 has 12,3 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a3000 20 MP
19816192 pixels
5456 x 3632
Nikon D300 12,3 MP
12212224 pixels
4288 x 2848

Sony a3000 has a 62 % larger resolution than Nikon D300. 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

Sony a3000 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon D300. Sony a3000 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 16000 while Nikon D300 has 200 to 6400.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a3000 100-16000
Nikon D300 200-6400

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 a3000
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D300

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a3000 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D300 can shoot up to 6 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a3000 2,5
Nikon D300 6

Ability to record movies

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

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony a3000. Unfortunately Nikon D300 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

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 D300 weighs 925 gr (equal to 2.04 lb) which is 125% heavier than Sony a3000 and its 411 gr (or 0.91 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a3000 411 gr
0.91 lb
Nikon D300 925 gr
2.04 lb

Sony a3000 vs Nikon D300 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a3000 and Nikon D300, 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 a3000
Nikon D300
Name Sony a3000 Nikon D300
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a3000
Nikon D300
Release Year 2013 2006
Release Date 2013-08-27 2007-08-23
MSRP 399 USD 1799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a3000
Nikon D300
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a3000
Nikon D300
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5456 x 3632 pixels 4288 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 20 MP 12,3 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED
Image
Sony a3000
Nikon D300
ISO Range 100 - 16000 200 - 6400
White Balance Presets 9 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Optical Steady Shot)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW + TIFF
Optics & Focus
Sony a3000
Nikon D300
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 25 51
Lens Mount Sony E

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
DX / APS-C (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
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a3000
Nikon D300
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 230400 922000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT LCD Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.7× (0.47× 35mm equiv.) 0.94× (0.63× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a3000
Nikon D300
Frames per second 2,5 fps 6 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 6 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Average
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a3000
Nikon D300
Video recording Yes No
Video format H.264
AVCHD
N/A
Video resolution N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a3000
Nikon D300
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a3000
Nikon D300
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (via optional RM-VPR1)
Yes (Optional)
GPS No Yes
Optional through GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a3000
Nikon D300
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FW50
Lithium-Ion EN-EL3e rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 470 shots 1000 shots
Width 128 mm 147 mm
Height 91 mm 114 mm
Depth 85 mm 74 mm
Weight 411 gram 925 gram